
The game isn't locked to the music track however, but timing attacks to the beat grant different bonuses. This is most notable with combat, with attacks and dodges matching the beat of the current track. Everything in the game, from the environment to the enemies to Chai himself is synced up with the music. The game revolves around Chai traversing and between the different departments of Vandelay Technologies, fighting against the respective bosses at the end of the respective level. Now with the corporation designating him as a prime target, Chai must defend himself alongside the help of his allies to take the bosses down. This causes him to be labeled as a "defect", making him a target for deactivation by the company.

While participating as one of the volunteers for Project Armstrong, during the procedure, Chai receives a robotic arm, but also unintentionally becomes fused with his music player. Hi-Fi Rush stars Chai as a wannabe rockstar that fights against the forces of Vandelay Technologies alongside his allies.
