Rez Infinite is a profoundly beautiful game with some weird issues that took away from the overall experience. I love looking and hearing it. The weird turn of the millennium minimalist art style is arresting and instantly iconic. I especially enjoyed Act 1, 3 and 5. The initial level was great because it was the first time that I ever saw Rez, the third because it was the like moving through the inside of The Matrix and the final level because it was a real departure from the other acts with how bleak and strange it all was. There is also a huge scope to Rez that was really appreciated. The levels seem to stretch out infinitely from every direction and a lot of the enemies are huge. But the real showstoppers - as they should be - are the bosses. You shoot at gargantuan techno monstrosities that can take up the entire screen. It was very impressive and actually unexpected.
I also love the music. Now I have played a lot of Tetris Effect so I kind of know what style Mizuguchi goes for but Rez has a harder, more IDM edge to it that I really appreciated. And the way it combines with the graphics to create this wild pulsating synesthesia-esque experience.
Area X is everything I just described and then some. Sure it is one level so it makes sense that the developers would pore everything into it but boy, playing that was something else. The visuals take a real bump up in fidelity and particle effects to the point where it can be a bit difficult to discern what the hell is going on, but it wasn't a problem. The music as well is fantastic, with the final moments feeling almost transcendental. An excellent and worthwhile addition to an already very cool and stylish game.
I've spent all this time on the style and graphics because, quite frankly, the gameplay isn't a highlight. If you have played Panzar Dragoon then it is like that albeit easier. You move your cursor over enemies and shoot them before they shoot you, or shoot their bullets. If you chain your shots well enough, I think, you get upgrades that allow you to take more hits and/or wipe the screen of enemies. It is serviceable and using a mouse makes it a breeze.
My one issue with the game is that there are some weirdly quiet moments that made me think there was an issue with it. Every time you finish a level, it goes dead silent as your score pops up and it showcases what you've unlocked. For a game filled with amazing music, it is super jarring. But other than that, I can't really fault the game. Sure it is short but much longer and it would get boring.
I hope they get a chance to make Rez 2.
I also love the music. Now I have played a lot of Tetris Effect so I kind of know what style Mizuguchi goes for but Rez has a harder, more IDM edge to it that I really appreciated. And the way it combines with the graphics to create this wild pulsating synesthesia-esque experience.
Area X is everything I just described and then some. Sure it is one level so it makes sense that the developers would pore everything into it but boy, playing that was something else. The visuals take a real bump up in fidelity and particle effects to the point where it can be a bit difficult to discern what the hell is going on, but it wasn't a problem. The music as well is fantastic, with the final moments feeling almost transcendental. An excellent and worthwhile addition to an already very cool and stylish game.
I've spent all this time on the style and graphics because, quite frankly, the gameplay isn't a highlight. If you have played Panzar Dragoon then it is like that albeit easier. You move your cursor over enemies and shoot them before they shoot you, or shoot their bullets. If you chain your shots well enough, I think, you get upgrades that allow you to take more hits and/or wipe the screen of enemies. It is serviceable and using a mouse makes it a breeze.
My one issue with the game is that there are some weirdly quiet moments that made me think there was an issue with it. Every time you finish a level, it goes dead silent as your score pops up and it showcases what you've unlocked. For a game filled with amazing music, it is super jarring. But other than that, I can't really fault the game. Sure it is short but much longer and it would get boring.
I hope they get a chance to make Rez 2.