Rez - a train I missed first time around. Originally released in 2002 on the Dreamcast and PS2. The game received high critical acclaim but only sold about 12 copies. Rez HD is a re-release on the XBLA tarted up with HD visuals and crystal clear sound. Having read reviews back when this was originally released and read with regular occurrence at how great it was, you’d have thought I may have picked it up. I didn’t, so Rez HD is a completely new experience to me.
I think the best description I can offer for Rez HD’s core gameplay mechanics is an; on rails shooter. You’re guided through a set path with your only control being over your crosshair and the actual shooting. Simple enough and has worked well over the years. Instantly I liken the gameplay to Starfox, although after you play for a little longer, the comparison becomes almost redundant. Set to a techno trance soundtrack, every shot fired or enemy hit sets off a sound which is woven into the continuous backing beat. If you love your trance music and the shadowed effect that you have control over a trance soundtrack and you love shooters that are on rails with vector graphics…….you’ll love Rez HD. Obviously, it’s only now - after listing those requirements - that I understand why this didn’t sell all that well in the first place. Talk about a niche game. Rez HD is King of the niche.
Like I said, for years I’ve read other gaming press harp on about the high quality and originality of Rez and now years later - in HD no less - I can’t for the life of me figure out what all the fuss is about. Sure, I willfully accept the overall game as somewhat original, obviously the ‘somewhat’ I dropped in there is reference to the core gameplay. Each level is made up of 10 ‘layers’ and a boss battle. Aiding you on your way is your crosshair, which when moved over enemies whilst simultaneously holding the A button, will lock onto enemies. Releasing the A button will fire said enemies. You can lock-on up to 8 enemies at any one time. For a start most enemies are one shot kills, but before too long multi-layered critters will be assaulting you. You’re also equipped with an ’overdrive’. Overdrive gauge gradually fills up as you progress and at max, gives you 4 ’overdrives’. The overdrive is operated simply by pressing the ’B’ button and will clear the screen of enemies. My skills only nurtured me as far as level 2. At level 2 strange things were a happening. No matter what I did or how hard I concentrated - I just kept dying. OK, I can accept I’m not the greatest gamer in the world, and I accept some games are harder than others and that occasionally I will keep dying. Fair enough - if I knew exactly why I was dying!
The visual style of Rez HD is interesting to say the least. Compared to the original game, which is also included, you can see a big difference. The screen is brimming with colourful explosions and wire frame backdrops. Indeed, I struggled to see what I was doing a fair bit of the time. My character started out, resembling a human, albeit a human made of rectangles. All of a sudden, I’m turned into the crystal dome - don’t ask me why, I have no earthly idea. Maybe this is my problem. Is it possible that I’m missing something? Is Rez HD a big ‘in joke’ that I’m not allowed to know the punch line to? Should I have studied up more on the baffling story line?
Before I hyperventilate, let me drop in a few words about the soundtrack. The so-called trance music just isn’t my thing. I’m open enough to give it a go, but other than grating on my nerves, it did nothing for me. As old and wise as I am….even I don’t have the knowledge to properly criticise it. Personally speaking, I would never expose my ears to this if I didn’t have to, but people have different tastes and may find the continuous droan of ‘trance’ music suitably exciting. I’ll have to leave it to someone else to say whether or not the trance music is good trance music. I can confirm that it is clear and it’s clean, but that’s about it.
By all means, if you’ve never played Rez, download the trial - it’s what it’s there for. “I couldn’t possibly recommend this game” is possibly a bit harsh. It’s different for sure, and it offers a big challenge. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s a very niche game. I personally feel it needs too many boxes ticked to be a ‘great’ game. I think Rez excludes a hell of a lot of people who are then looked down on with resentment because they don’t like something that is quite frankly, a pile of tosh. If you’ll allow me to open a can of worms…..I’m very cynical to the reasons why so many journalist proclaim Rez to be a work of genius. 50% of them, sure. 70% of them….well, not so sure. 95% of them? Shut up. There’s a bandwagon being jumped on because a game comes along; it’s original and lacking in mass appeal - then it must be good. I don’t buy it for a second. As writer of this review (and I use the term loosely, by all means criticise me for not offering a more descriptive review), I can only offer you my own opinion. Whether you choose to agree or disagree is entirely up to you.
