Rez HD Releases This Week
January 29th, 2008 at 1:57 am
Rez HD is one of this week’s Xbox Live Arcade releases, and that’s making me remember how very torn I felt when the game was originally released. I’ll surely buy the XBLA version because I’m "down for the cause" like that or something. This will be my fourth copy of the game, joining my Japanese deluxe box (with Trance Vibrator, naturally), US re-issue, and Japanese Dreamcast version.
I have a deep and somewhat strange love for Rez. I call it strange because I don’t think it’s an especially fun game to play. But I love Rez because it’s beautiful and has a great, unique visual style that still stands out today just as much as it did back in 2001.
As a game, it plays like Panzer Dragoon without the ability (or need) to rotate a full 360 degrees. It’s a nearly mindless lock-on shooting gallery that takes little skill to complete. It feels like it’s maybe 30 minutes long, though there’s more to it if you count the additional levels that can be unlocked or decide to go crazy and unlock the Morolian form. Though music plays a big part in making the game as immersive as it is, no rhythm is required on the part of the player.
I feel like a jerk for pointing all that out, because you’re not playing Rez for its gameplay. You’re playing it for the overall experience, from the look, to the great sound, to the interesting bosses, to the way the controller vibrates in your hands (or wherever else) as you play it. It all comes together quite nicely, and it’s easy to forget that once you understand the basics you’ll probably kill 80% of the enemies in the game before they can even fire a shot in your direction.
Rez, for me, was a landmark moment in gaming that had a profound impact on me at the time. Thinking about it now brings back a moment in time, reminding me of everything from who I was, to who I was dating, and everything in between. And nearly everything you’re going to read on the subject will read like a love letter to Rez, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, or both. Personally, I think he’s one of the greats in the game-making business, so you won’t hear any arguments coming from me.
If you aren’t already familiar with Rez, I’m very curious to know how you’ll receive it. Given the way the gaming press tends to overly romanticize artsy games (something I’m definitely guilty of from time to time), I can’t help but feel that today’s players will buy Rez HD and come away from it wondering what the hell we’ve all been going on about for so many years.
As for me, well, I bought a new PC a few months back and immediately named it "K-PROJECT." At one point I wrote a song that was meant to sound like some sort of lost level from Rez (though it quickly strayed from that original idea and eventually became an eight-minute track about a famous California-based horse handicapper getting stuck in space and trying to start a ska band). Give me a button I can use to purchase a cleaned-up version of Rez and I will happily and obsessively press it.
January 29th, 2008 at 2:34 am
great read! I already own the PS2 version, but can’t wait to spend 800 points for the HD version. It is also great that you do not need to put a disc into the 360…
cheers, brof
January 29th, 2008 at 2:48 am
Nice!looking forward to that.Jeff let me ask you a question.Are you looking forward or hyping devil may cry 4?Did you even liked it?Why am i asking stupid questions?Because i’ve liked burnout series , and all people i now ,who likes burnout series ,they like dmc series to
Oh what the f*** am i writing here.Just going to play some more paradise.Anyway thanks for everything that you are doing, have a nice sunny day.
January 29th, 2008 at 2:50 am
Oh and if you have a ps3 whats your PSN ID?
.I live in lithuania ,they dont teach english there.Learned it my self.
P.S. Sorry for my bad english writing
January 29th, 2008 at 3:07 am
I kind of have the same opinion you do about Rez. It’s great to look at, but it’s not that great to play. I think it’s a cool game, but I can barely beat the 3rd stage. I actually bought Rez (for PS2) about a year ago, at the one good Gamestop in my town (we have 3, for some bizarre reason). It cost me about 40 bucks, and is still worth it. If only I managed to snag a Trance-Vibrator.
Oh, and thanks for turning me onto Audio Surf. It’s a fun game.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:19 am
I dont even want to know where you are going to put your 3 Controllers.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Hey Jeff,
Am not totally convinced by RezHD thus far, but it is one I missed out on back in the Dreamcast days, so am wondering from your blog if nostalgia plays a big part.
I am going to buy the game on XBLA (maybe not for a few weeks as i’m working thru a number of titles already), but I am gonna take the plunge and spend the points. I think its worth getting if I haven’t played it before.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:48 am
did alex just left gamespot?If i would take it seriously i would cry.But sometimes it just good to go on in your life ,you got to walk straight.I now it’s hard ,it’s really hard to leave people you have been working with.Just don’t fall on your knees ,no matter waht.And if you fall get up with all your strenghts.Life is short and you can’t stand in one place.It’s like burnout , get the sense of speed!
January 29th, 2008 at 4:12 am
I never played Rez before and now I will definitely get it. I hope they don’t pull a Lumines on us. Micro transactions is bad but in reality the Japanese are the worst at it. Look at Idol Master, Ace Combat 6, Luminess, Katamari, and so on.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Hey, Jeff
I’m almost ashamed to admit that I’ve never played Rez. I heard about it years ago when I had the Dreamcast, but I was way to busy geeking out over Soulcaliber. Although I am finding myself so immersed, satisfied, and greatful for Undertow as a substitute for the time that I most wanted to be able to play games over Xbox Live, I believe I will place my trust in your opinion as I have done so many times before.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:22 am
I’m definitely getting it at some point. I really do want to see what all the fuss is about.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Can I have 4 xbox 360 controlers and my old trans- Trance Vibrator thumping in this version at once? It’s usb it should work on xbox 360.
I mean on ps2 the twin subwoffer bass making the floor rumble and trance vibrator was not enough for me i want more! This version is in HD and that should me HD vibrating.
Hd stands hard drumming right? it can’t be high def.
No more dolby prologic 2 sound hello dolby digital 5.1
I never finished the last level (the white one) on this game and saved the metal chick that looks like dural but I am going to do it this time. I could never figure out how to save her.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:42 am
OH and I wil recive it very well I have it on Dreamcast and PS2 The secound I played the DEMO on playstation magazine demo Disk I tracked down LIKe every version of this game and a trance vibrator for ps2 version…
The sad part is I have never played the dreamcast version to this day since I do not have a dreamcast that can play japanese games yet…. I guess i do not really have to now with REZ HD. I herd the dreamcast version looked better in colors so i bought it for later now it’s 2007 still has not been played.
I only have 4 japanese dreamcast games anyway….
January 29th, 2008 at 4:52 am
I never got my hands on a copy when Rez was making a buzz. I’m excited to buy this, but I’m wary of getting my hopes up too much. Hopefully I’m cool enough to like it.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Im glad to hear that its coming out week. I never played any of the other rez versions but im definetly going to pick this up. Ive kind of been a sucker for the “artsy” games, I chalk this up more to me enjoying games in all areas of the spectrum more than me trying to look like some “cool” starbucks drinking mofo.
From the videos of the game ive seen It looks like the type of game I would like, plus I can always use more cheap games that have a ton of style and 5.1 support.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:04 am
I’ve never played Rez, but definitely worth the risk of $10 considering the Ps2 version is expensive on Ebay.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Jeffypoos, you delicious sprinkles-covered-doughnut of joy. I’m looking forward to Rez but i’m much more tingly with anticipation regarding your future in the world of videogaming.
Please tell the loyal and devoted that you plan to marry Alex and make a whole new website called ‘jeff’s giant gamey banana website’.
I’m already waiting to subscribe…
January 29th, 2008 at 5:29 am
I first played Rez at a games exhibition at the Science Museum in London a year or two or however long ago that thing was (it was a very cool exhibition, incidentally), and I must say I enjoyed it. I couldn’t play it for long, because my time in there was limited, but despite its simplistic and fairly trivial gameplay, it was a pretty enjoyable and unusual experience. I can see it getting old fairly fast, but it’s still the sort of thing I’d pay money for.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Rez is good but please do not hype it to be a godsend. The game is very niche and I love it but all my friends who saw it were turned away. You have to love vector art and trance music. This game is not for everyone.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:35 am
I agree that Rez isn’t overly fun to play, if you just consider the gameplay aspect. However, I think it’s the rare synergy of gameplay, music, and sensory experience that helps it to be remembered fondly, in the way you described.
Maybe the not so convincing integration of music into Rez won’t fair so well in the days of Rock Band etc., but I think that the unique look of the game and the fond memories of people who have played it on PS2 should guarantee it a decent amount of downloads on live.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:35 am
GAWD, I loved the original Rez on the PS2 and I’ve been waiting for a version with 5.1 for soooo long. I don’t mind the HD graphics but it’s the soundtrack in 5.1 that I’m looking forward to the most. This is gonna be EPIC~!!!!!!!
January 29th, 2008 at 6:43 am
The new Rez game really does look great in a higher definition resolution. I have a few questions.
Besides Audio Surf, what kind of great indie computer games are you interested in?
Do you know of any site that has good indie games?
My last question is have you ever played that asteroids style space shooter called Subspace?
January 29th, 2008 at 6:53 am
I remember playing Rez on my PS2 years ago and thinking it was fantastic back then. Nothing like it had ever really been done.
It can’t really be equated to a rhythm game like Rock Band, because you don’t need to have any sense of rhythm to play. However, all of your actions are synchronised to the beat of the music, making every lock-on and shot you take meld seamlessly with the entire experience.
Rez gives more credence to the argument of games as art, but at the same time it feels more like an exploratory concept that paved the way for the same rhythm matching technology to be used in games like Lumines and the Every Extend series. That said, Rez holds a special place, because it really was the first game to have that kind of synergy between the visuals, the sounds and your very ACTIONS.
Deserves a play, even if you don’t download the full version.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:09 am
I never tried Rez but this is an opportunity that I won’t miss. Jeff I have a question for you, I would really appreciate your opinion on this. Pick a winner from the following groups and a little comment:
1) Phantasy Star 1-4 v.s. Final Fantasy 1-6
2) Super Mario 1-3 (&SMW) v.s. Sonic 1-3
3) Super mario 3d (all 3 games) v.s. Sonic 3d (all Dreamcast & modern consoles, not the crappy 3d Blast)
Thanks, I hope you’ll give me your opinion on this in one of your Points! videos. Peace!
January 29th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Funny, i share most of your feeling about Rez. I know people always sound pretentious when they say things like this, but this game really does have a special place in my heart. It manages to create an experience that’s so different from other games. Everyone should at least try the free demo.
Already decided to call in sick on wednesday.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Never got a chance to play it back then, but even if it is a fairly simple game ten bucks seems like quite a good deal.
I wonder how hard the achievements are?
January 29th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Cant wait for this game…and I couldn’t agree more with you about how this game reminds you off who you were dating at the time it came out…what you were doing the first time you played it etc etc etc….love this game…did you guys hear the interview on KOXM podcast this week? They did an interview with Tetsuya Mizuguchi…it was funny, cause I couldn’t understand one ounce of his English…but who cares, he’s a legend.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:36 am
I played Rez on the PS2 and loved it. I’m really chomping at the bit to revisit the game in all of it’s HD 5.1 splender.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:06 am
One of my best gaming related moments was finding a Dreamcast in a Bargain bin in Tesco for €10. I went on ebay and got Rez and a few other games. Not a bad game at all, if you’re in the mood for it. Sit back, relax, and shoot casually to the hypnotic beats. Art style was great in that game, kind of ageless. Dug the Dreamcast out this weekend to give it a go again, still great fun. I’ll definitely be picking up Rez on XBLA, and Ikaruga too when ever that shows up. Makes me think what other DC games might be released in the future.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:10 am
I’ve never played Rez but I can’t wait. There are a ton of great games out there but there’s something special about the designers who are doing something visually or with narrative or with both that’s challenging. With No More Heroes out right now it’s a great time to satisfy aesthetic urges!
January 29th, 2008 at 9:56 am
great! I’ve waiting for this game. I’ve never played it before but I’m a total sucker for those “artsy” games. I’ll play the demo first but I’m sure I’ll end up buying it. the concept is too interesting to pass up.
Now if we can just get a hold of Ikaruga . . .
January 29th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Dude Jeff, when are they going to make Xbox’s Still Life BC? Oh, Rez and it’s in HD!
January 29th, 2008 at 11:19 am
At the time of its release Rez was my favourite game experience and it puts a flag in my past of a time I look back at extremely fondly. It arrived when I was flatout into techno and reaching for lasers dingy and dark rooms, I worshipped Underworld and every song they released (especially Rez), and I think it was about 6 months after Ken Ishii played in a local dark, dingy club in Belfast when I picked up the demo from an official playstation mag. The demo comprised of the first level and it totally blew me away, it was like an aligning of planets for me. I bought the game the friday it arrived in my local shop for forty of your english pounds…and had it completed hours later. I took a lot of stick from my flatmates about that and maybe this galvanised my love for it. I have played it an uncountable about of times since then, the last time was last friday when I got a bit tipsy and decided to see it it still held up on the PS2 before this weeks release. My recent 3 red lights means that it will be a while before I can experience it in HD, 5.1 and widescreen(sigh). Rez was the reason I bought a PSP (for Lumines) and accidently punched someone in Australia when I pointed at it when it fleetingly appeared on a large screen at a Chilli’s concert. Ahhh…good times. Im so glad it has a new life on Xbox live and the pricetag definately fits better.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:41 am
No love for Chessmaster? You disappoint me, Jeff.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:54 am
I think jeff should try to get in with 1up.
NOW THAT WOULD BE AWSOME
January 29th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
My mate loved this game on PSX, i guess im not going to see him ever again now this is released
January 29th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Yo, i too love ReZ. I only have the ps2 version which im playing on ps3 upscaled, and rememebr when i worked at Game, someone came in a traded it in to my collegue.. and accepted very little saying ‘its bit boring’ i soon snapped it up for very little and havnt stopped. I really like the extra unlocked track with the story alongside. Coolstuff
Jeff, I always enjoyed your reviews on gamespot, and watch your video reviews, your a cool kid with the only way to game running through your blood.
Good look with your future endevours.
If you have a ps3, my gameID is Nihilis… ill happily burndown any of your times. or any other game for that matter. Peace out.
January 29th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I really want a music game with proper techno. E4 and Rez just aren’t as hard hitting.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I got the PS2(seems like it’s in bargain bins everywhere here) version and I like it but I’m not going to get the XBLA version. It’s not that great.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Wow… I wish my love notes to developers were as eloquent as yours are. I remember reading a special section in an EGM magazine before this game came out here in america. Pretty much listing all of the great games Sega was going to come out with for Dreamcast but since the system had died was porting to the current systems. Rez was the one that caught my eye and everyone I talked to about it just kind of looked at me weird. The day it came out and I was the only person who had it preordered. I made sure i got it and played right through it. $40 well spent and I’m going to go ahead and get the $10 copy tomorrow thanks to the HD update. God… this week is going to be murder thanks to getting Rock Band Tracks each week and now a game… I hope Ikaruga isn’t that much when it comes out!
January 30th, 2008 at 12:49 am
I’m last in the world on the leaderboard for Rez at the moment. I take a strange sense of Pride in that
January 30th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I always wanted to get it back in the day for the ps2, but I waited too long and it vanished forever(well until now). I finally purchased it today via x-box arcade and it’s amazing!!!
January 31st, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Day one! It feels like Dreamcast days all over again, yay!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:19 am
I downloaded Rez and I am new into it and I must say, I love it. I love the style, the music, the gameplay, pretty much everything. Its a great arcade game and one well worth 800 points in my opinion.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:02 pm
[...] oder dem gerade erschienen Review auf Gamespot informieren. Auch Jeff Gerstmann hat einen passenden Blogeintrag [...]
February 7th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Umm…japanese games not innovative anymore? Have you ever played FFX? The gridsphere has NEVER been used in any other game ever, expecially not in any american games. Or better yet, go play Disgaea or GrimGrimoire, Disgaea was an amazingly long and hard tactical game…it even blows FF tactics out of the water…and GrimGrimoire is a great realtime rpg with amazing graphics…since all americans care about now-a-days are graphics. Another recent release is FFXII:revenant wings…the FIRST realtime FF game, and its on DS! OR even Mario Galaxy…innovation at its best! And yet another new release(not out yet)Ninjae Gaiden on DS, I played the demo of it and it uses the DS’s touch screen to the maximum capacity.
So, before you say some biased crap about the AMAZING Madden and WWII games of america, open your eyes and try beating some japanese games with breakthrough innovation…you probly can’t though…so please brag on about your best plays on Madden 08.