Rez HD

By Tom Bramwell Published 16 January, 2008

Hands-on with Mizuguchi's masterpiece. And eyes and nose and ears.

Rez doesn't sound like much on paper (or Internet). You travel along a predetermined path using a lock-on mechanism to fire upon up to eight enemies at once. Blue power-ups gradually increase your health, allowing you to "evolve" into different forms, with successful enemy attacks reducing your growth by one stage of evolution, while red power-ups add to your stock of "Overdrives", which blitz whatever's in front of you when activated. There's a boss at the end of each of the game's five biggish levels, followed by a boss-rush finale that concludes with a bigger set-piece battle against an AI called Eden, which - if you're bothered about the fiction - it's your job to reboot.

But then Rez isn't trying to sound like much on paper (or, yes, Internet); it's much too busy focusing on how to integrate the game's splendid trance music soundtrack with the gameplay. Each level is broken into ten "layers", and with each transition to the next one the music intensifies. Individual sound effects are little synth stabs and drum beats, and the impact of your stacked lock-on projectiles, once you release the fire-button to send them on their way, is artfully delayed to match the underlying rhythm in a manner that rewards your senses. Playing well actually sounds good, which is why the game's commonly linked to the phenomenon of synaesthesia.

'Rez HD' Screenshot 1

As you lock on to multiple enemies the number in the box increases until it's MAXed.

All this was true of the Dreamcast and PS2 versions of Rez, and for, Rez HD, developer Q Entertainment - headed up by original developer United Game Artists' Tetsuya Mizuguchi, of Lumines fame - has focused on sharpening the game's visuals and audio rather than building new levels or game mechanics. You can play the original version if you like, but unlike a lot of Xbox Live Arcade releases there's precious little sense in doing so. Once you've experienced the high-definition version with pin-sharp widescreen visuals and 5.1 surround sound (apparently not for the music though), going back to the boxy 4:3 standard version seems a bit silly. Whereas a lot of old-days code is included on XBLA to keep the purists happy, I wouldn't be surprised if Q decided to include it here just to show off.

As well it deserves to, because the sharpened lines of the game's environments - often seemingly based on ancient architecture despite their stylish, Tron-like wire-frame construction - are a much finer compliment to the game's imaginative artists than the pixellated alternative, and the game's broader image and the current prevalence of big-screen televisions mean that even people who know Rez inside out will struggle not to find themselves freshly enthused.

'Rez HD' Screenshot 2

The blue ones make you stronger. When you're fully evolved, let me know.

Undisturbed by the usual creeping desires to repackage and reinvent, a lot of Rez's subtler successes remain intact too - its well-judged difficulty curve, and the "travelling" mode that lets beginners work through it without the threat of death. The game's infamous Trance Vibrator (exactly what you're thinking, whatever Mizuguchi says) is no longer compatible, but single-player pad vibration is handled with restraint, and it's possible to plug in up to three additional pads so that anyone sitting near you can share the rhythm. Alternatively you could plaster yourself with pads, although we'll resist the urge to make any lewd suggestions - there are enough websites for that sort of thing anyway. The original's unlockables also return, and the XBLA version's 12 Achievements - while not quite as imaginative as some of their contemporaries - will certainly give you cause to return even after you've landed back on the title screen for a second play-through.

An understandable residual fondness has danced its way past the original main criticism levelled at the game in the early 2000s - namely that the experience was over within a few short hours and boxed videogames were not and still are not cheap. Q Entertainment's own experience with Xbox Live Arcade has evidently taught them the hard way how best to judge a game's modern worth though, because Rez HD is being lined up for an 800 Microsoft Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.30) price tag, which seems perfectly sensible.

'Rez HD' Screenshot 3

No match for me.

At that price, we'll probably end up advising existing fans to revisit it, and if this is all new to you and the idea of a game that inconspicuously binds a strong shoot-'em-up to music has you excited, we're confident you'll want to set aside those Microsoft Points whenever the game's released. Whispers from Microsoft point to late February, although Q remains quiet. Rez HD, however, does not; it serenades your senses in a way that a great many games since have struggled to emulate, and we'd like to see more of its kind on Microsoft and Sony download services in future.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (46) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • erp #1 4 years ago

    It's ACE.

  • myiagros #2 4 years ago

    i really want to play this in HD, but if its not coming to PSN then i will have to wait untill i inevitably get a 360 later this year.

    Arse!

  • pikemon #3 4 years ago

    GET THIS*.

    (*unless you're on a low-definition 360 and have it on ps2/dc)

  • toythatkills #4 4 years ago

    Late February? Is that a joke? Wtf.

  • DDevil #5 4 years ago

    SOLD.

    Again, for the 3rd time.

  • Toothball #6 4 years ago

    I can't wait to play this projected across the wall in my front room. It has been there before, but not in HD. Will need to make a Rez Seat though, by gluing some controllers to a chair or something.

  • Scurrminator #7 4 years ago

    it's very good, played it a few times now and it does look very sharp

  • Darkedge #8 4 years ago

    WANT NOW!
    Brilliant game, genius to play and watch and 800 points? BARGAIN of the year.
    Gimme!

  • Machiavel #9 4 years ago

    Hmm, so is the music noticeably downgraded from the 'red book audio' original? Arcade file sizes must mean an mp3 conversion at least...

  • wowami #10 4 years ago

    One of the few games i never had on my dreamcast so really looking forward to getting it on XBLA.

    Edited by 1 at 16/01/08 @ 11:40

  • Tejstar #11 4 years ago

    I already have this on the DC and PS2, but I'll be buying it again purely for the 5.1 sound and HD visuals (the way I was always hoping I could play it!)

  • Scurrminator #12 4 years ago

    it's 120mb nearly, i doubt it's that cut down.

  • beedyG #13 4 years ago

    Wow - this has actually got me considering buying a 360
    Rez on the Dreamcast rocked!

  • StarchildHypocrethes #14 4 years ago

    There's one word for for how that looks, and that's 'skill'!

  • w00t #15 4 years ago

    And if you must re-release games on XBLA, this is a great example of the ones to do.

    /shakes fist an yet another cack 80's coin-op conversion

  • Wolfman #16 4 years ago

    Im probably going to get lynched for saying this but when I played Rez on the PS2 I just got bored. Within about 5 minutes.

    Yes its got very nice music intergration with the gameplay. Unfortunately I found that the gameplay sucked. I can admit that the game has a great style, just not the gameplay to go with it.

    -wolfman

    *runs for his life* :D

  • Benno #17 4 years ago

    /chases wolfman with firesticks!

  • Bagpuss #18 4 years ago

    sigh...:((

    for the first time, im gonna wish i had a 360.....(100% PC gamer)

    And when Ikaruga comes to Live, it will be the second time.

  • ecureuil #19 4 years ago

    Late February?! I thought this was coming out within a couple of weeks.

  • rmg #20 4 years ago

    /for the first time, im gonna wish i had a 360.....(100% PC gamer)

    rez plays fine on chankast :)

  • RichGL #21 4 years ago

    Quick someone call Wolfman a doctor! His intelligence chip has MELTED!

  • polymorph #22 4 years ago

    Really looking forward to this, i only ever played a demo of it (i cant remember if it was on dc or ps2) and i quite enjoyed it, but like a lot of demos for some reason i never bought it.
    I will be rectifying that mistake on whatever wednesday they release it.

    Oh and it was on gamespot's on the spot a few weeks ago and was apparently pretty much done, so its down to microsoft now.

  • ecureuil #23 4 years ago

    I was really hoping they'd add travelling mode to Area 5, but it doesn't look like they have.

  • chischis #24 4 years ago

    Rez has tremendously simple gameplay. I'd imagine that is enough to put off a lot of people who think "ugh, point, shoot and boom... is that it?". But then these are likely the same plebs that think Ico is one big dull escort mission with a few puzzles sprinkled liberally around some shiny graphics.

    I still don't have a 360. I will never, ever buy one, because a) it's an MS console, and b) they are as unreliable as buggery (as are the consoles ;). However I do have Rez for my PS2 and it looks just fine on my 32" LCD through component.

  • xNickNackx #25 4 years ago

    I want this, Puzzle quest and Metal slug 3. I just don't like paying for MS points for some reason. Oh yeah because I'm poor.

  • Coughthulu #26 4 years ago

    @Machiavel

    I assume that was on the Dreamcast then? Cause the PS2 version had a load of MIDI files if you looked at the disc image. I'd have assumed they'd do the same thing with this, MIDI tracks with sampled instruments.

  • Stu #27 4 years ago

    Sadly £7 is too much for game I've already bought twice on various formats. It really is awesome though.

  • brooza #28 4 years ago

    I'd only ever done the first level, but I played it again at the weekend and got partway through the boss rush and died and couldn't be bothered starting the level again.

    Trouble is I'm going to have to start the game all over again because I didn't have my memory card with me :(

  • NewYork #29 4 years ago

    Get it onto the PS3, please.

  • stx #30 4 years ago

    Anyone have a list of the Achievements?

  • monkie_king #31 4 years ago

    Will this have one thousand and eighty pees? It damn well ought to.

    Mizuguchi's work is just fantastic. I still find it amazing he was responsible for both Rez, Space Channel 5, Sega Rally and Lumines (as well as work on Shenmue). That's quite a CV.

  • Nithron #32 4 years ago

    Release a PC port? Please?

    Also, any news of mouse support? The 360 supports USB mice, and Rez on DC supported the DC mouse.. So you know, it'd make sense
    Except that developers often don't make sense at all, like the guy who decided not to let you use a mouse in Command and Conquer 3 on 360
    Edited by 1 at 16/01/08 @ 15:52

  • monkie_king #33 4 years ago

    stx: I wouldn't be surprised if they're closely tied to the unlock conditions for the various colourschemes etc. And probably getting 100%s and getting the good ending.

    ... She still lies trapped within the system ...

  • Super_Zee #34 4 years ago

    So, so excited that my favourite ever game is getting such a good treatment. This is the reason that I re-bought an Xbox 360 and I can't wait.

  • Kelduum #35 4 years ago

    Synesthesia for the win!

    Seriously, the right kind of Synesthesia + Rez = better than a great deal of illegal substances.

  • Scimarad #36 4 years ago

    I never got around to playing Rez so I'm really looking forward to this.

  • Pulsar_t #37 4 years ago

    @Machiavel

    I have the PS2 version and there are no redbook audio tracks whatsoever. The DC game is larger, but I doubt the game has redbook tracks because the gameplay and audio are dynamic.

  • Vinicity #38 4 years ago

    Bah!

    Bring us a new Space Channel 5 instead, Mizuguchi you old bugger !
    Edited by 1 at 16/01/08 @ 21:42

  • evild_edd #39 4 years ago

    I normally wouldn't commit to such a sweeping statement - but anyone who own a 360 and doesn't buy this game, probably has no right to be reading this site, or calling themselves a gamer (or gaming enthusiast - if you'd rather not be labelled 'gamer').
    This game is to games what the (original) Matrix is to films. You may not think it's the best game ever, you may not think there's actually really that much 'new' to the game, you may think it's style over substance. Hell, you may not even understand it.
    The point is that in this industry (or any popular medium, for that matter), these little gems, these breaths of fresh air come rarely. Make sure you don't miss it.
    I still own my Dreamcast copy, but shall definitely by buying this again.
    Edited by 1 at 16/01/08 @ 23:37

  • mcmonkeyplc #40 4 years ago

    Sooooo my xbox will next implode when this is released! Mark my words! It died just one week before Halo 3 and forced me to buy a new one. Dont panic kids I sold my repaired one and made my money back.

  • Daikon #41 4 years ago

    Just imagine playing Rez without rumble ^_^
    Speaking of which, I wonder if the PS2 trance vibrator can be plugged into the 360's USB ports.

  • johlee991 #42 4 years ago

    This game is amazing if your a raver or a acid trippin', glowstick waving, club hoppin', beatnik. This music tracks literally beats into your head of all those Euro trance porn movies that I watch... er... used to watch. :-D

    Well, I am getting a new 5.1 sound system and this game is gonna test it nicely.

  • Lutz #43 4 years ago

    Daikon: Why would you play Rez without rumble?

  • RichGL #44 4 years ago

    I'm playing it without rumble as I removed the rumble motors to mod my controler (right trigger on left hand side if you recall).

    However....

    You can extend the wires that attach to the motors and shove the motors inside something else to provide the thrill.

    Any ideas?

  • monkie_king #45 4 years ago

    360's rumble is a pale shadow of the old DualShock2's low-frequency pulse, sadly. Surely supporting the trance vibrator pack wouldn't be much more development work?

    I guess some enterprising kid with a soldering iron will somehow hack the innards of a 360 pad onto one, it could still draw its power from usb.

  • SomaticSense #46 4 years ago

    I missed this first (and second.....) time around, yet I'm really quite looking forward to it. I loved the music-based gameplay of Lumines, I'm a bit of a fan of energetic dance music, and I adored the mental shootyness of Space Giraffe. Can't come soon enough really.

  • BBIAJ #47 4 years ago

    I'm thinking we'll be seeing this on the 30th January...