The BPM for this song is right around the 72 mark, in the Adagio tempo. The same beat of the average heart at rest. A beat like this is PERFECT for expressing great emotion, which is why it hits so hard. Finding the beat, the rhythm, is easier on tunes around 124 bpm - which a large selection of the sound track is paced at, 124 bpm. Very few songs actively break this rule. Those that do, do it with great intention. And it's the same here. To break this rule, to slow down - to reflect, it's something Chai hasn't done before. To sit still, and focus. To draw the thoughts in and focus on this moment, what he is, what he has done. And he is... and always has been, a rock star.
Which is why when I was trying to come up with lyrics for "reflection, but with the lyrics" the line I came up with that was easy to remember because it's repeated twice was "I don't even need a guitar, I am already a rockstar, I have already achieved my dream, I don't need an instrument to defined me."
Actually gonna be so fucking annoyed if Hi-Fi Rush doesn't get nominated for anything. It's all for vanity, but sometimes you just want to raise something into the air and say "THIS is the greatest thing produced this year".
So.... this is the melody of your soul eh? Nice to finaly hear it (is what I wish atleast one of em said but oh well I guess surprised no one in hi-fi rush could kinda hear stuff super keenly)
I just realized, the whole game is Chai treating this situation like a concert. Even all the battle arenas are called "choruses." When he finally realizes who he is and what his new friends mean to him, what they can do together, that's when you have a music track with an audience backing up, like when the audience teams up with the singer on stage.
I would love if they went one step beyond and Kales boss fight didn't write verse 1, 2 ect and instead wrote sth serious to hit the nail harder of how far he has come
It's by no means a terribly sophisticated plot, but I do like that Chai actually grew towards the end. He wasn't just some dumbass kid who wanted to make it big anymore. His whole demeanor just flips 180 and he starts to put his head first (and his heart close behind ofc).
You know what, same for Pepp too. Glad she learned to open up a little, and that Chai and pals were quick to forgive when she wasn't as forward as she could have been.
It's the classic Hero's Journey plot progression but with oodles of heart and flair strategically placed in all the right places to really make it shine.
Chai is everything you want from a main protagonist and more imo. He’s charming, funny, good looking, extremely caring and loyal, distinctive in his appearance, and he never is considered a “weak, nor super strong character”. That’s what a main hero needs…
@@cloudshines812 sometimes.... The best hero's r the weak ones who you can sympathise and synchronise with..... and chai is probs the best example of this I've seen yet..... good to finally hear the melody of your soul chai... well done finding it at long last
When I first listened to this song, saw this scene and heard Chai say "You might not see it", I couldn't help but just imagine flashbacks of a younger Chai telling his parents that he wants to be a rockstar when he grows up. His own excitement and encouragement from his parents would lead him to try picking up guitar and achieve that dream - but he could never really get it. He loved music and the thought of being the star of the show shining in a stage housing thousands of people, but he was simply awful at actually playing guitar. He had no talent, no skill, and no experience. Eventually Chai would grow older and reach his adult years, realizing he'd have to give up on his old dream knowing that he just wasn't capable enough for it. He would then follow realistic goals now set by himself and his parents so he could become something in the end. But the present is here. Chai is 25 and now a college dropout who's finally seen an opportunity to finally achieve his childhood dream of becoming a rockstar. A shortcut to finally acquire the skills he always lacked to accomplish his dreams, Armstrong Enhanced Limb Technology is surely going to give him that key to open the door to the life he always desired, so he takes up the opportunity and ingresses into the Armstrong Project. Only to be given a Magnetic Waste Management arm. Now moments away from the end and finally meeting his last stop; despite being having one of the most fun, fulfilling and interesting days of his life kicking ass to the beat of his own drum, Chai's entire confidence and fire has finally ran out. Kale's words hit him, and he finally stops to think how he got there and what he's achieved: "nothing". Chai realizes nothing really has changed in the end - he still has no skill with a guitar, and that shortcut he took has really only led him to square zero: he is nothing without said guitar. By seeking a tool to help him reach his ultimate goal, he's become nothing but a tool himself - uncapable and only limited to one function that he was set out to do - yet unable to adapt to new obstacles, becoming obsolete. Chai is ready to give up then, and as he slowly dwells into his own depression due to this ironic realization, a voice echoes in his head (and literally behind him because everyone is there with him), and the beat of his heart starts echoing back to him. Chai is Chai. His fire burning deep inside him, his attitude, his determination, his passion; his personality and character: that is the reason Chai isn't alone. He has people behind him, fans - his friends, who are only by his side because they want to follow him. Friends that reaffirm Chai that despite what he might think and feel at that moment - that he really is special. And that at the end of the day, despite his seeming incompetence, lack of talent, skills, critical thinking and realistic goals - Chai is the beat that keeps everyone's hearts' going. It's at this moment that he stops to think about everything that's happened so far. His encounters, the things he did, the friends he made; the decision he took. Chai is a fraud and took the easy way to try and achieve his dream. He's barely put any effort in his life to achieve that, and it shows. But it's by taking this shortcut that Chai achieved something even more valuable - and that is change. Chai was always a gem that needed polishing. By meeting other people, experiencing things, and learning valuable lessons, Chai has been able to become an entirely new person. And with this new person, comes Reflection. And by taking the time to reflect and feel the beat of his own heart alongside the beats of all around him. Underneath all that seeming incompetence, immaturity and idiocy, now lies an even powerful unending burning desire to be something he always was - but not through a tool - but through the beat of his own heart. Chai has reflected and finally achieved his dream - of realizing the truth deep inside him: that he's never needed a guitar He IS a Rockstar.
You skipped over the fact his right hand was paralyzed from the shoulder to the wrist. Chai is actually very knowledgeable about music theory but do to his disability could not play an instrument.
@@Guciom I feel like the story behind Chai's arm still remains a mystery. It's unknown what happened to it and how. Most people have pointed out that it isn't broken and in fact disabled like you just said, but what type: nerve damage, a damaged tendon? Whatever it was, the most important factor was WHEN? Knowing the kind of person that Chai is and him caving his arm supported by his own scarf instead of a proper sling, I wouldn't be surprised if it only happened just recently. I really doubt he damaged his arm ever since he was a kid, and probably still had some opportunities to learn Guitar, but could still never really get into the hang of it - and hard work and effort just doesn't seem to be Chai's thing until he finally learns to actually try by the end of the game. I think it's likely he used the new Armstrong Project to use as an excuse to pick up Guitar again, but who knows. As for music theory, I haven't found anything in the game or anywhere else that would imply that unless I happened to obliviously miss something. Chai just seems to be your average wannabe rockstar kid that listens to much music non-stop; far different from being knowledgable in music theory. Music theory is a science at the end of the day, and the study of patterns and composing - something Chai doesn't seem to be keen at in any way. Chai definitely seems to have an inhuman sense of rhythm though - and he was smart enough to instantly deduct that everything and himself was moving to a particular beat playing within him, so that's one thing he has going.
@@querccias2402 I think that whatever kind of damage in his arm he had was something that may have gradually got worse over time. He probably was just getting to the basics when it become near-impossible to play, but he still wanted to achieve his dream so badly that he played on, even if it sounded terrible. Eventually he probably had to give it up for who onows how long, but he subconsciously remembered it when his irregular arm picked up that debris into a guitar Chai is far from a complex character, he's a slacker but he does wear his heart on his sleeve.
Man this scene is an awesome moment and the music here really reflects that(no pun intended) Chai doesn't need a guitar he can feel the sound, the music, and the beat he is a rockstar.
This scene together with the level that came after it...I usually cringe nowadays at "The power of friendship saves the day"-moments...but... ...GOD DAMN THIS GAME HAS EARNED ITS "POWER OF FRIENDSHIP"-MOMENT SO, SO MUCH...!!!
Because we cared and loved these characters the whole way through. You cannot find many faults in characters like Peppermint, Macron, CNMN, Korisca and ESPECIALLY Chai. These five characters are probably some of the best, most well written and charming group of misfits I’ve seen in a long time.
It's amazing that this game started out just goofy fun and then it hits you so hard in the feels. Didn't expect that from this game, but I love it so much for it.
Life has a funny way of doing things. Id never heard of this game until a couple weeks ago. Before i was just not in a good spot in life. But i was looking for a change, i was sick of living that way. So i got the help i needed, and the very first day after everything was all said and done i installed this game on a whim and my God. Its like things were falling into place. This amazing game, the music, the message, everything. Spoke to me so hard. Especially this scene, and what an amazing title for the song "Reflection". It just made me think about what I wanted for myself. Who i wanted to be, i teared up actually. I'm sure this is cringe to others but this game really did change my life. It just came into my life at the perfect time and place. Hands down best game I've ever played. Thanks hifi rush
Same here!! The last couple years have been pretty iffy mentally for me. But as of the last couple months, I've been making big changes and finally getting to where I want to be again. When I saw gameplay of HiFi Rush, I knew I had to play it, but didn't think I would anytime soon. But like you, I just decided to play it on a whim. And those last couple missions hit directly in the feels. This part and the level right after felt like legitimate proof that I was finally on the right track again. I usually never, ever comment, but all these fans telling similar stories is really making me happy!
1:01 when the guitar kicked up in this part I got literal chills and started tearing up a bit, it's such a beautiful song for such a beautiful moment in one of the most amazing games ever
Chai: Just remember: Feel the beat... Korsica: You may not be slick, but you get it done. Chai: You might not see it... Macaron: I like this new Chai He's quite come around, hasn't he? Chai: We're in this together... CNMN: I, for one, Mister Chai, like your pants. Chai: Eh, good enough. Peppermint: Chai... I DO trust you. You know that, right? Chai: And I know it now... Chai: I don't need a guitar. I AM a 🎸⭐rockstar⭐🎸
The storyline of this game is not as big or serious as other games. However, the gamers must have convinced 100% that they got what they were expected to get.
It reminds me of a simpler time where I can just look at a story and have a good time with it. No dumb plot twists, character assinations, overcomplicated lore… just a simple story about likeable characters stopping an evil corporation. I really want a sequel…
@@cloudshines812 true enough.... sometimes simple is the best course of action in a game's story.... other times ya can get alot of fun and emotional times from those complicated as hell games with their weird lore that leave ya wanting more even if it has been probs 10+ yrs since ya last played the game (I miss phantasy star universe so very badly)
I'm normally not a fan of idiot heroes, but the amount of character development that Chai gets throughout this one more than makes up for it. He actually grows and learns, unlike some games' stories.
The story of chai is the story of a young man who thought if he believed hard enough he could get what he wanted. However, the young man didnt put yhenwork in. He took every shortcut he could find. However, this changed the day he thought he thought he found the ultimate shortcut. Instead what he found was an adventure, and friends he could rely on to get yo wjere he needed to be. This was the story of Chai.
How in the hell did they make one of the best games of 2023, by far the most unique game of that year, one that was highly successful despite being shadow dropped and not very heavily promoted even after it released, and STILL get shut down?
Because despite being successful it wasn’t quite super successful enough. Because Microsoft isn’t content with making infinite money. No they needed to make infinite money times two and if you can’t provide that supply to their endless greed you might as well not exist.
2/9/23 7 hrs straight of just this song and i cant seem to tear away. these are the games we need. we may not deserve them but they make us better through the reflections we see.
My favorite song of the game even if we fail that won’t stop us trying (cures depression rips the darkness to peices and makes you YOU once more I know you can fix this and chai does too)
Came back to finish this game yesterday after the news(yes yes, ik I'm late in both aspects but finals yk) and was hit with this absolute gem of a scene. This game was an absolute blast all the way through, and I will treasure it for years to come. Very few games can replicate the vibe that this one has, the only other I can think of being the world ends with you. Thank you, Tango, for blessing us with this masterpiece of a game.
This game just breathes passion and love, one of many rare games with a very uplifting and rebellious story and attitude that hits all the right marks. Good job, Tango Studios! This game made me genuinely happy, and hope to see more projects like this down the line.
I hate when I’m having fun the game makes me cry the second later. It hasn’t been even 10 hours and somehow I feel emotional and even…nostalgic?…it’s really confusing for me…
I can understand that feeling quite well.... it's like an old friend come visiting once again despite it being yrs and with games from the past that ya can't help but wanna play with em or even alone to rember why ya loved em in the first place
Screw what Microsoft says tango, you are enough. Hi-fi rush is a dope game. A game that reminded me what a game is supposed to be. A game that reminded me how I fell in love with video games
This made me shed a tear, I won't even front. The guitars, the AMAZING singers, and Jesus Christ THE DRUMS...!!! This got me emotional...! 😭 This track for me is all about NEVER GIVING UP and BELIEVING IN YOURSELF.
In a time when the videogame industry was being littered with samey live-service grind-athons that charged up the ass for them and shoved it down all our throats with obnoxious marketing campaigns, Hi Fi Rush came out of nowhere with a bomb-ass soundtrack, an innovative gameplay experience, and a surprisingly nuanced commentary on corporate practices that could easily be interpreted as a critique against the videogame industry itself, all for the price of what videogames were during the PS2 era. We already have our game of the year and 2023 barely even started.
God, of all games to make me cry (and it's a good few!) if you told me any time before this track that Hi-Fi Rush would be one of them I'd have laughed at you. Music is something fucking special and the team at Tango understood that so well. Hats off to em.
This game has been a goddamn rollercoaster! From shadow dropping a masterpiece to the studio being shut down only for the studio and IP to be revived today. You ARE rockstars Tango Gameworks!
Chai had the best character development. Went from being self-centered to caring for his newfound friends and learning that teamwork makes the dream work
Another game developer sacrificed by suits to their shareholder Gods. R.I.P Tango Gameworks You deserved better Edit: Tango lives! and so does HiFi! There really is a God! :,)
