[PS2/DC] Rez

[hushypushy]

The first review! Wow. Well there haven't been any expectations or guidelines set down for this section yet so I'll just babble for a bit and then we can talk about it ;)

Well, as you know, I went and bought (http://forums.ngemu.com/1159532-post1841.html) this game a short while ago.

http://stashbox.org/25390/rez_packaging.jpg

I mainly bought the game because it was made by the creators of Lumines and this website. (http://www.gamegirladvance.com/archives/2002/10/26/sex_in_games_rezvibrator.html) A girl talking about the benefits of masturbating with a psychedelic videogame? Sign me up!

It's strange that the game masquerades as a shooter...it's definitely a puzzle game. You sweep the cursor over targets whilst holding X, and you let go to make them explode. With different graphics and the same gameplay, I can imagine blocks falling and getting zapped, for example. It actually works out to be really intuitive, using the analog stick for control was awkward at first and I was worried about lack of sensitivity control, but for the most part the controls are smooth and easy to use.

The graphics are excellent for PS2. I have it hooked up via component, and though the graphics are mostly wireframe, they are beautiful. The game doesn't support 16:9 but it stretches nicely and looks natural at that aspect ratio.

I need to get this out of the way right now...the Trance Vibrator kicks ass. Yeah, I admit it. But beyond your devious thoughts, it's actually really cool. I usually keep it on my thigh, not quite on my stomach but not quite on my leg. It comes with a suede bag so it sticks to your clothes and won't slide off. This thing is STRONG...holy crap, it really vibrates. If you've ever been to a club or a show where the bass was so strong that it was shaking your entire body...yeah, it's like that feeling. The way I have it set up, it really shakes my whole lower body, it's crazy. Another interesting thing about it is that it can be used for beats...it kind of simulates the bass effect, in a way. Because of that, the game is awesome on headphones.

I really love the fact that this game requires your full participation. This isn't a game to play while you're having a conversation with your friends or at a casual glance. You really sit down, crank the tunes, get into the visuals, and feel what's going on. And best of all...gawdamn this game is really fun. It has a "Travelling[sic]" mode that lets you play without taking damage...that mode is great, it lets you really concentrate on the experience, rather than worrying if you're zapping every single tiny bad guy and rocket in the vicinity.

This game actually isn't a bad deal when you think about it. I got it brand new (Rez was even still sealed) for $62 shipped. And when you consider you can get 360 and PS3 games for $70...hmm. Well, this game was released in American and Europe, but I have no idea if the Trance Vibrator works on those because that was only released in Japan AFAIK. If anyone can get the TV working with non-Japanese games, let me know. In case anyone is wondering, the game's manual and packing is all in Japanese, but the game itself is all in English, interestingly enough. If you like music or psychedelic games, I highly recommend this.

[emwearz]

The first review! Wow.

I beat you to that buddy lol

The game looks really trippy, im kinda interested in it now just to see how messed up it feels to play.

[Cid Highwind]

Time to throw my opinion in a bit, seeing how it's largely the same as Hushy's it will be better to put it in the same thread. Hushy, perhaps you can edit the thread title and put the [DC/PS2] tag in front of it?

--------------------

Rez, now how to say this. Some say it's just another shooter, even being a rather weak one, while others think it the best thing since sliced bread. I'm edging towards the latter opinion. I was skeptical at first, it was supposed to be a unique, trippy experience. How right they were!

This game was originally released on Dreamcast, developed by the same people behind the good old Space Channel 5 games, another obscure game I will have to look into btw ;)

So what is it all about? Well there is some kind of story behind it, summed up you are supposed to be some sort of hacker in a system because something is trapped inside. At least, that's what I made out of it. It doesn't really matter much, since it's all about the entire game. You play this game "on rails", meaning you don't really have much freedom to move around, you don't decide your own pace, all you do is move the cursor and decide how much you deviate from the set path. Meanwhile, there's hundreds of bullets and enemies floating around you. Don't worry, like I said, this isn't Ikaruga.

Now here's the unique part: The game isn't even hard. It requires attention, yes, but only a few of these enemies will actually try to hurt you. It's a good thing though, because you don't want to worry too much when playing this game, that's simply not the point. What you do is move the cursor, and "tag" up to eight targets at a time, release the A button and see your character shoot down the targets. Now that's when the game starts to come alive. When you start the game, there's just a beat. As soon as you press A, you notice there's a clap, which completely syncs with the beat, no matter how hard you try to go off-beat. Hushy, try it, it's fun making music. ;) Now as you have selected enemies, the bigger the combo, the more music will be created. Not only that, but an entire arrange of lighting effects will provide visual stimuli. Of course, you do get better scores the more combos you make and enemies to defeat, so there definitely is something to achieve in this game. It also has an effect on deciding whether or not you'll be fighting a hard boss, or an easy one.

Speaking of which, the graphics are just another unique aspect of this game. Don't expect your average game design. You will mostly see wireframes filled in with all kinds of weird textures. It's hard to explain, so a screenshot will have to do the trick here.

http://www.cheats2k.net/TIS_WAC/r_images/review136_1.gif

Yes, this really is a game you cannot play while not being completely dedicated to it. For the best Rez experience you really need to grab some quality headphones, close the curtains and tell your mom not to bug you with a cup of tea. Also, make sure you have a vibration device. Whether it's a Dreamcast Jump Pack, or your sister's USB sex toy, it's simply a vital part of the game. This is a game to space out on, and enjoy every second of it.

Some might find the game a little short though. There's not that many levels to play, yet each of them is such a unique experience, it's hard not recommending this game to any gamer who considers himself open minded. This is also a game that keeps you coming back for more, especially once you have finished the individual levels and you've unlocked the bonus modes, which include doing all levels in one go, in different colour schemes even!

In short, this is just another game that has become a big cult hit, while never having been a commercial success, much like the system it was initially released on. The game has become pretty rare, so expect to pay at least €40,- or $55,- for it. On Dreamcast, it doesn't matter if you get the Japanese or European version, both are in English, just don't look for a US version, cause there simply isn't one.

+ Unique art style
+ Unique blend of audio, video, and "rumble"
+ Great sound track

- Not for everyone

[Coolsvilleman]

oh man I remember this from way back. Totally awesome game and I'm surprise there wasn't some form of sequel on the xbox like jet set radio/jet grind radio.

[hushypushy]

I beat you to that buddy lol

Well...I wrote mine when there were no other posts. We were writing our posts at the same time, you just happened to submit yours 6 minutes earlier than mine! But my slowness lost out, I wasn't really the first review :(

Cid: Did you notice the parallels between Lumines and Rez? It was made by the same guy (Tetsuya Mizuguchi) and the games are pretty much the same. One time I had a couple friends over drinking and smoking and we played Lumines for a bit, and then one of my friends marveled, "Do you notice that no matter where you put the pieces, they always stay on beat? I mean, they always fit wherever you put them!!" Rez does the same thing, and damn I love that about it.

It doesn't really provoke synesthesia like I'd hoped...although if I play it on acid I'll get back to you :p

Rez - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rez)

[Cid Highwind]

I found Rez to be a bit more spacy than Lumines, to be honest. Mainly because Rez is played on a bigger screen and you don't have to focus that much. With Lumines I simply don't have the time to enjoy what's happening in the background, while with Rez you're not focused to such a degree.

One thing I noticed is that Round About has a lot in common with the "Yellow" level of Rez, which is the 4th one.

eXEnOsRzYLI

Brilliant, simply brilliant. A 10/10 doesn't do justice to the art design of this game.

[hushypushy]

Cid, if you can play Lumines Live, I highly recommend it. I have tripped out/blown away more people with that game than Geometry Wars, which is really saying something. My girlfriend was so addicted to it that she couldn't stand to play it when she wasn't over, so she bought the PS2 version to play at home (which is awful btw, don't play that one).

Lumines on PSP is more of a puzzle game with (IMO) fairly simple graphics. Lumines Live bumps that up a ton, the game runs sooo smooth, the graphics are awesome, the music (especially the 5.1 mixing, holy wow) are all amazing. The only bummer with that game is the price...hmm, I'm going off-topic now, maybe I should make a new thread for Lumines Live :p

[Samor]

Lumines for PS2 isn't good? Bummer, but thanks for the warning.

As for Rez, there really aren't any significant differences between the DC and PS2 versions. Frankly, can't tell the difference.

Cid, as for the rumble... the DC has the Jump pack, but I'd think that's much like the regular rumble in a PS2 gamepad?

[Cid Highwind]

I'd love to see Lumines Live then Hushy, unfortunately the only one with a 360 is a colleague of mine, and ever since a fellow colleague went back to him motherland Australia we haven't been gaming a lot. Picking a date to game for a day is next to impossible with that guy due to him being pretty unreliable. I'd love to see a review of that game, maybe you could add some shots to compare the versions?

As for Rez, Samor, I haven't played the PS2 version, perhaps you could bring it with you that Wednesday? I don't think there's much of a difference between rumble in the PS2 version or the DC version, they'll probably both stick with the beat.

[Samor]

Sure, why not make a little comparison....

[MT]

Why I did not play this game back when I had a DC?

[hushypushy]

Lumines for PS2 isn't good? Bummer, but thanks for the warning.

Framerate is awful (even my girlfriend tells me how **** it is), the graphics are mediocre, the track transitions suck (the game actually just stops the music and you sit there in silence for 10 seconds while the level loads), and it's missing all the graphical niceties that the 360 version has (like color trails and other effects, also a lot of skins).

Although, I haven't played the PSP version since high school, so these may just be problems that were alleviated with the 360 version, since that one runs sooo smooth, the graphics are amazing, and it has pretty much no problems at all.

I keep talking about Lumines but seriously...no one sees the link? My friend came over yesterday and he is familiar with Lumines, I pointed out the connection to Rez and he wasn't too hot on it. He said it reminded him of Wipeout the most :p

[Samor]

Haven't played any version of Lumines yet, so I wouldn't know ;)

[Paratech]

That's too bad, I don't have a PSP and was thinking of buying the PS2 version...

:(

[hushypushy]

Well, go give it a shot, see if you like it. She paid like $14 for it, which is a fair price. I wouldn't really pay more than that.

[Vanit]

I think I found what I'm getting for my birthday. However, I'll need to find out if the trance vibrator actually functions with a pal ps2 because I'm not sure if a modchip will suffice.

[hushypushy]

I don't think it's a matter of your PS2, I think it's a matter of the game itself. In other words, I don't think there is a hardware incompatibility, but I do wonder if the non-Japanese versions work with a peripheral they were never supposed to be used with.

[Vanit]

I don't think it's a matter of your PS2, I think it's a matter of the game itself. In other words, I don't think there is a hardware incompatibility, but I do wonder if the non-Japanese versions work with a peripheral they were never supposed to be used with.Thats what I assumed, but on the other hand I can't see why the translators would go to the trouble of removing the code. Its quite possible the vibrator just reads passive signals that the game outputs. Probably not worth spending $40 on to find out though.

[hushypushy]

Yeah, that's why I bought the Japanese version. I don't have to worry about incompatibility problems, they were meant for each other.

When I meet someone with another version of the game though, I'll spring at the chance to try it out.

[Vanit]

Just bought the game off eBay and it should arrive in just over a week. Thanks again for reviewing this game, I can't wait until it arrives. :>

[hushypushy]

Sweet! And be sure to add your own reply ;)

How much did you pay and what did you get? Well, link to the auction if you can/want.

[Vanit]

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160133416286&rd=1&rd=1) is the link to the auction. Payed 45usd for the game itself and 12usd for shipping.

[hushypushy]

Not bad. The vibrator is the one to get you on price, it's like $30 or $40 by itself.

[Vanit]

Rez FINALLY came in the mail yesterday and I must say its every bit of fun that I was hoping. The game isn't annoyingly hard, but it can be a little difficult at times. I had my first attempt at area 5 last night and failed when the hologram was about half complete. Up until this point you don't really know much about whats going on and why you're doing it, but the small things the computer says really get you thinking about what the situation is.

I love this game. :>

[hushypushy]

Keep on going, there is lots to unlock. I love travelling mode...I haven't really explored score attack, and I'm trying to unlock more stuff in Beyond. This game seemed shallow to me at first but it's really growing on me because it presents you with more challenges.

[AlphaProspector]

Yay! I'm so glad to see a review of this game! I played it on the DC and, yes, it's a great experience.

I agree it might feel quite simple at the beginning but as I kept playing and unlocking stuff (Lost Area, which is quite hard... and the trance mission is a free trip without drugs), things got harder and somewhat different. I can't recall if the game evaluates your skills and then switches difficulties according to that. I did know the bosses you get depend on your skill (being Mega, Giga and Tera)

This might have some spoilers but:

Area 5 is just too epic for my eyes. Don't you like how epic it gets as you reach the two final sections? When you face that winged, ermm, thing in some sort of techno-orbit above Earth, then inside the white tunnel. I have yet to find a game of the current generation that manages to reach such a "momentum" (if there is such a shooter, please don't fear naming it).

Going into the past, perhaps Guardian Dragon from Panzer Dragoon Zwei or Alpha Core from Omega Boost had a similar effect.

Nevertheless, nice review. :thumb:

[Cid Highwind]

Area 5 is very impressive indeed, it's a piece of art really. There's a very impressive story behind it in some way. The first time I reached it was really something magical, it send shivers down my spine.

There's another game which has this similar effect, it's also on Dreamcast, it's a 2006 release even: Under Defeat. There's a very epic final level, the entire presentation is top knotch. If you're a Dreamcast fan, make sure you get your hands on it, it's easily the most polished Dreamcast game in terms of graphics as well. The smoke effects are simply stunning. Picture pitch black smoke coming from a crashed enemy helicopter, as soon as you shoot down another one and it crashes nearby, the blast of that second heli will cause the smoke from the first to be blown aside. How's that for a Dreamcast game eh?