Rez is a game that I am familiar with. I still have the PlayStation 2 port that I bought back in the early 2000s. When I first bought it back then and played it, I was wowed unlike any other game. Though the gameplay is simple, the music, visuals, and experience more than made up for it. Not to mention the replay value with other modes. I eventually wishlisted and purchased Rez Infinite, one of the later ports of the game--on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC via Steam, Android, and Oculus Quest. After extensively playing this release, as well as earning all the achievements that this title has, how well does this hold up compared to the Dreamcast original?
[h3] The Good: [/h3]
+ First of all, the PC via Steam port of Rez Infinite is a polished port. It has mouse controls--a feature that was previously exclusive to the Sega Dreamcast original; sharper textures, virtual reality support; if your computer is a monster blocker: 16k maximum resolution; it's Steam Deck verified, which means the Steam port is portable--the only official port to have this distinction. If there's a definitive way to play Rez, Rez Infinite on Steam is the way. Because the porting job on PC via Steam is the best there is.
+ Speaking of which, controls are very responsive. Especially the mouse controls, which allow for getting lock-ons faster compared to a regular game pad. They're also simple and intuitive.
+ Lots of modes to choose from. The original Play mode is where you go through the game, unlocking new areas and content. The Score Attack mode is where you pick an area, and go for the highest score that you can. Beyond mode has its own unlockable content and options--Direct Assault being a super score attack mode, going through all five areas in order, bosses and all. Direct Assault also has you picking different color schemes, too. The Lost Area is its own stage, though it doesn't have a boss. Trancemission is, well, there, if you want to go through the game without any threats. Lastly, there's Area X, an Unreal Engine powered mode that shows potential for a sequel to Rez. The Beyond mode even lets you pick a starting form and a beam type, which gives you an extra edge. In short, there's quite a bit to do.
+ The game itself is easy to play, and easier to master. You're on a pre-determined path, and you move your reticle to delete viruses and destroy firewalls. For the main Play mode, it's a matter of using these skills to get one hundred percent in analyzation, shot down, and support item statistics. For the Score Attack and Beyond mode, it's mastering the scoring mechanics. Optimize locking on viruses and firewall pieces, to earn 8x multipliers for score. For Area X, it's deleting as many viruses as you can, and picking your ending based on which 'walker' you destroy in one of the sectors. It's a game anyone can play and master, and there's a challenge for everyone.
+ The soundtrack is second to none, and fits the areas that they play. Buggie Running Beeps 01 has that 'Egyptian' motif while having some trance elements, and serves as a good first impression of what to expect. Protocol Rain has a good 'cyber' feel that works best with the Indian architecture and backdrop. Creation - State Of Art befits the Mesopotamian setting, considering Mesopotamia is the birth place of all civilization. Rock Is Sponge is a good Goa / progressive trance song, that also ties into its ancient Chinese theme. Adam Freeland's Fear embodies the intensity of Area 5, as Eden tells the story of life's birth on Earth, and how life will either find a new home among the stars or Ascend To A Higher Plane Of Existence. Boss Attacks, appropriately, steels players for the gauntlet before attempting to rescue Eden. F6 G5 is a calm and serene track that suits The Lost Area perfectly. P-Project suits the calm chaos that is Trancemission. The themes in Area X work well for the mode that feels like the next evolution of Rez, while giving a feel similar to Child Of Eden. In short, the music in the game fits, and is a joy to listen to.
+ The game itself is not just great to play, it's also beautiful to look at. When viruses and firewalls are fought and deleted, they give off visual effects. The environments have that cyber motif, while moving with the game's music. Even the player character moves to the music, depending on the song playing. Area X, especially, is one of the most beautiful modes and levels created for a game. The visuals in Area X are some of the best I've seen in a video game, bar none. If there's going to be a proper sequel to Rez, or another spiritual successor, I expect it to look like this.
[h3] The Bad: [/h3]
- The main game is still short. You'll more than likely be finished within an hour, provided you're not achievement hunting. Though the other modes still make up for it.
- Going for score requires not only optimizing lock-ons throughout the infiltration phases of each area. They also require dragging out bosses, for milking their projectiles and parts. In some instances, milking parts that are not part of the main boss is a must. This is time consuming, and can invoke taking cheap hits.
- The only new content addition is Area X, and not much else. While replay value exists for the main game through score attack and direct assault, after you've achieved your best there's not much left to do.
- Some of the achievements can be tedious. Most notably, the 'Power Breaker', 'Trance Hacker', and 'The Rezident' achievements. Power Breaker requires that you complete score attack mode a whopping thirty times--though thankfully it's not for all five areas. The Trance Hacker achievement requires you to complete Direct Assault a whopping six times--one time per color pattern. For reference, a proper Direct Assault scoring run takes a minimum of one hour. Do the math. The Rezident has two ways to earn it; either do the play mode for a whopping ten hours, or have one hundred percent statistics in shot down, support item, and area analyzation. If you're not going for the ten hours of play, The Rezident can be a headache. Areas one through four are easy, but area five can be a pain. Lots of enemies, longer infiltration phase, easy to miss items unless you have lots of overdrives, and a delicate and lengthy boss phase. Even with walkthroughs as a reference, you'd be spending ten hours getting one hundred percent on all stats in area five unless you really luck out.
[h3] Final Verdict: [/h3]
Rez Infinite on Steam is easily the best port of a cult classic title. This is a title that should be in any Steam user's collection. If you missed out on Rez during the Dreamcast, PS2, and even Xbox 360 days, this is your chance to play it. This is also an example of a good port and remaster job. Buy this game, you'll love it.
