Ed played the game, and then they had a nice chat.
I am so glad you’ve finally played Rez.
Before we get into the game, I wondered: do you remember when you first heard about Rez?
And going in, what was your conception of it?
What did you assume you were about to play?
Sadly I never owned a Dreamcast so it just passed me by.
I was expecting something experimental, something mesmerising, something trippy.
Now Ive finally played, it didnt disappoint.
Chris:Okay, so tell me about it about playing.
What were your first impressions of the game, of the opening few levels?
Did it work its magic immediately?
Is that still just the biggest RUSH in all of games?
Ed:That boss completely threw me!
I decided to play the game in VR for the most current experience.
It was such a rush!
But it definitely ticked the trippy box right from the off.
Chris:I can still remember the impact of seeing that boss for the first time.
I wonder: how does Rez feel now?
Does it feel futuristic or a bit of a curio from the past?
Is it easy for you to place it within the context of other games?
Ed:I feel like Rez is timeless really.
Those stark but striking visuals and thumping beats.
And it does something that not a lot of other rhythm-inspired games do: musical feedback.
Lots of games have you moving to a beat, but too often theres no impact on the music.
I just wish that feedback was more melodic and the music more memorable.
Have you played it?
Chris:Is this the super-new area that came with the recent PS edition?
Theres no score or health system.
I cant wait to see what Mizuguchi does next.
I suspect everyone has it to a certain degree.
And on that suggestiveness: I do love how abstract the visuals are.
Then it eventually sort of opens up into this utopia and the music becomes fuller.
It definitely gives a sense of evolution - visually, sonically, and metaphorically.
Testify, Ed Nightingale.
So are you tempted to check out any more Mizuguchi stuff from here?
I am assuming you’ve probably already playedTetris Effect?
Ed:Confession: I am not a Tetris fan, mainly because Im useless at it.
But Ive played a small amount of Tetris Effect and I did appreciate that similarly immersive, synaesthesia effect.
I love that idea of making music through gameplay.
Are there any other music/rhythm games that have lived up to Rez for you?
Im a big fan ofSayonara Wild Heartsmyself, which feels like playing through a pop album.
But it doesnt quite have that same musical feedback that Rez has.
Chris:I think Rez is emphatically its own thing.
Even when you take into account stuff like Panzer Dragoon, there is nothing like Rez.
It looks like Tetris, but it’s actually the opposite of Tetris.
It’s glorious and I would play it forever if I had to.
Ive played the PS4 release of it.
But Rez manages to do that in a way that feels unique.
I guess, ultimately, I just really like structure.
