I rarely get to talk about video games here on the blog; but considering this is a music blog first, if there ever is a game that happens to strike that relationship with music in any way, you can expect to hear about it on TYS. This week, gamers cheered together in unison when Rez HD was finally released on Xbox Live. The original Rez, released on both the Sega Dreamcast in Japan and the PS2 here in the U.S. in 2002, is widely considered one of the greatest games of all-time. Though, it was hardly played by anyone because it was (and still is) so incredibly difficult to find. Now that the game is finally out, there are no excuses people: You must buy this game.
First of all, it’s only 800 points through Xbox Live, which is the equivalent of only $10. Second, it’s still remains one of the most satisfying game experiences that i’ve ever had as a gamer. Conceptualized and produced by Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Lumines, Space Channel 5), the game offers an unparalleled experience both visually and aurally. Designed to simulate synesthesia, which I had to look up the definition for — a sensation produced in one modality when a stimulus is applied to another modality, as when the hearing of a certain sound induces the visualization of a certain color. Yeah, exactly. To add to this effect, the game originally came with a peripheral called the Trance Vibrator — and yes, if you have some sick thoughts pertaining to that; it has been done.
Rez HD ‘Area 5′ gameplay
What’s so great about playing Rez is that you’re not really playing a video game. Simple enough, it’s an on-rails shooter, but you’re immersed in this journey, and everything within the game is your canvas, a backdrop to create an experience of sound that cannot be matched. Through the use of various tracks from Trance and Electronica artists, every object you shoot throughout the game adds a unique sound effect to the current song playing in the background. In a sense, you are creating and altering the audio, the effect of which is absolutely stunning.
I’m currently still finishing up on the game, as i’m on my way to unlocking the fifth area. Fans of the original would know this as one of the best levels in the entire game, with a killer track from Adam Freeland called “Fear” playing in the background. I’m yet to finish, and i’m still telling you to pick up this game. Not only is the idea of owning this game enough, it’s actually an improvement over the original as it’s been refitted for widescreen HDTVs and remastering the music for 5.1 sound systems. Go buy this now!
“Fear” :: Adam Freeland
Additional posts you may be interested in:
Entries (RSS)
Long time listener, first time caller.
The fifth level will blow you away. It ties the entire game together. Pay special attention to the modeling of your enemies. It’s sure to impress paleontologists. If’n you’re on a ‘video-games as art’ kick, might I suggest Ueda’s ‘ICO’ and ‘Shadow of the Colossus’?
Also, I’ve heard that they’ve released/will release Ikaruga on Live. The makers of Radiant Silvergun pretty much beat the top-down shooter genre.
Hey Stuart, thanks for commenting! Glad to see there are some fellow gamers reading this blog.
I actually own both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. Though, i’m more of an Ico fan myself. Definitely looking forward to what Team Ico has in store for the PS3.
What do you know, I’m an ICO man myself. The problem is that it’s almost impossible to evangelize for ICO because nobody really gets it. On the other hand, Shadow of the Colossus never fails to impress.
The OST for Rez is out there somewhere on the internets. I have the original spinning on my HDD right here, but it’s not the same as inside Rez – different instrumentation and length.
I think I’m going to supplement my Wii with a Wii60 on account of all the great games that are accruing on it.
Hey, those italics you use sure are neato. Apparently I’m not smrt enough to use them. How do you do that? Is it the standard BBCode [ i ] blah [ / i ] stuff?