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Platform: Playstation 2

Developer: United Game Artists

Publisher: SEGA

Genre: Musical Shooter

ETA: January 2002

Rez

I’ve been trying to figure out in this soon to be fully digitized world, where the new multi-medium will spring up.  As an avid gamer I’ve always had the hunch that it would appear on some space age console at some space age time.  With all the new directions that music and art design are taking, seamlessly becoming one at the hands of the ultra-hip, dissolving the line between aural and visual mediums, it is tough to conceive of where all the technology will lead.  It seems we are in the space age and I have a hunch that Rez, in development by UGA (United Game Artists; a Sega subsidiary) is the multi-medium and that PS2 is the space age console.

Rez previously known as Project K was debuted at E3 2001, hidden in the corner of the invitation only Sega booth moving on a 20 inch screen in video form, replaying a 2 minute loop perpetually.  From this much hype was generated.  A friend stepped onto a limb naming it the game of show, and I became intrigued. 

Rez is your basic shooter on rails ala Space Harrier/Panzer Dragoon yet is made holy by its dependency on music.  The theme of music is to play heavily to the overall experience of the gameplay as the enemies you shoot react musically adding an element to the underlying soundtrack.  The effect sought is for the player to feel that his/ her actions modify the game, making it a unique experience for the senses time and time again.  Whether or not you’ll be able to notice the subtle musical changes in the game amidst the hectic gameplay is to be seen, yet assuredly the graphical presentation will keep you enamored for at least a little while.  Psychedelia is the name of the game, with swirling tripped out patterns littering the background with wire framed and polygoned enemies playing against it. 

The controls are standard Famicom stuff, laser button, bomb button, and that’s that.  The thrill is to be had with the eyes and ears and not the opposable piggy.  Also limited is the length of the game, stunted to 5 levels.   Nevertheless Miziguchi’s United Game Artists are aiming high, blending up media to a dizzying spectacle, lets see how intensely it redefines our lives.

- Tolkiemingway