How Hi-Fi Rush fans are using positive review bombing to protest Microsoft’s studio closures and show support
The Shocking Studio Shutdowns
Microsoft’s decision on May 8 to permanently shutter multiple development studios sent shockwaves through the gaming community. Among the casualties were Arcane Austin, the team behind Redfall, and the particularly surprising closure of Tango Gameworks, creators of the acclaimed rhythm-action game Hi-Fi Rush.
The elimination of Tango Gameworks caught many industry observers off guard, especially considering Hi-Fi Rush’s stellar reception just one year prior. The game earned widespread critical praise and was consistently ranked among 2023’s top-reviewed releases. Beyond critical success, it proved commercially viable for the development team, as confirmed through discussions with the game’s director in previous interviews.
Understanding Reverse Review Bombing
Following the studio closures, an unusual phenomenon emerged across Tango’s game catalog. Both Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within series experienced what’s being called ‘reverse review bombing’ – a surge of deliberately positive Steam reviews designed to show solidarity with the developers.
Traditional review bombing typically involves coordinated negative review campaigns, often targeting games for specific controversies. We witnessed this recently with Helldivers 2, where thousands of players downgraded the game’s Steam ratings following Sony’s controversial PSN requirement policy, which was eventually reversed. The current situation represents the complete opposite approach, with Hi-Fi Rush enthusiasts deliberately flooding the platform with favorable assessments.
For gaming communities, reverse review bombing serves multiple purposes: it preserves the legacy of shuttered studios, demonstrates player appreciation for development teams, and creates visible protest against corporate decisions perceived as damaging to creative industries.
Fan Reactions and Community Response
Starting May 7, Hi-Fi Rush’s Steam page saw significant review activity with approximately one hundred new positive evaluations appearing. The Evil Within games, also developed by Tango, received dozens of additional favorable reviews following the studio’s unexpected closure announcement.
Player sentiments expressed in these reviews reveal deep frustration with corporate decision-making. “Tango, Arkane Austin, and everyone affected today didn’t deserve this,” wrote one reviewer on Hi-Fi Rush’s Steam page. Another commenter sharply criticized Microsoft: “RIP Tango Gameworks and f*** Microsoft and corporate greed, people lose their jobs and their passion because a greedy executive wants to buy themselves another yacht.”
Developers making shroud’s AAA survival game facing studio-wide layoffs
Hell is Us boss slams Silksong launch as “callous” after releasing on same day
Silksong devs respond after being review bombed over Chinese translation
On The Evil Within’s Steam review section, another player commented: “RIP Tango Gameworks. Shinji Mikami’s legacy was destroyed by dirty corporations.”
Broader Industry Context
To date, Tango Gameworks’ game library has accumulated hundreds of new positive reviews, with additional supportive comments continuing to appear regularly.
This reverse review bombing phenomenon occurs against a backdrop of increasing industry consolidation and studio closures. Recent months have seen multiple development teams facing restructuring or elimination despite creating successful, critically acclaimed games. The gaming community’s response demonstrates a growing awareness of the precarious nature of game development careers and the impact of corporate decisions on creative output.
For players looking to support developers facing similar situations, consider these approaches: purchasing games from independent studios, engaging constructively with developer communities, and using platform review systems responsibly to highlight quality content rather than simply protesting corporate decisions.
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Hi-Fi Rush gets reverse review bombed after Microsoft shutters Tango Gameworks How Hi-Fi Rush fans are using positive review bombing to protest Microsoft's studio closures and show support