Next-gen Rez sequel in the cards? [update 2]
by Ross Miller 
{ May 18th 2006 at 3:25PM }
In an interview with Eurogamer, Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Meteos, Lumines, Space Channel 5) spoke briefly on the possibilities of a sequel to Rez, the trippy Dreamcast game that attemped a form of synaesthesia with its design. In discussing next-generation possibilities, Mizuguchi noted that he was looking to make "a Rez kind of experience." When further pressed on the matter, Mizuguchi asserted that, if SEGA were to approach him to make a Rez sequel, he is "currently seriously considering it. It's always there. I'm always thinking about it."If the sequel were to be made, on what console? Let's examine the possibilities:
- Nintendo Wii: Mizuguchi said he was interested in "high-def sounds and visuals," a selling point Nintendo has side-stepped. Mizuguchi both complement and critiqued the Wiimote, calling it "a very special controller," although noting its uniqueness may impede the chances of porting to multiplatforms ("because you want to give the game the best chance" for exposure and success). That said, the Wiimote's motion sensor could make a great fit for the original Rez's control scheme. Mizuguchi has worked with Nintendo before, bringing Meteos to the Nintendo DS.
- Microsoft Xbox 360: Mizuguchi has supported the Xbox 360 with Ninety-Nine Nights and Lumines Live. The developer noted that he is looking into "what kind of games [he] can make in terms of high-def sounds and visuals."
- Sony PlayStation 3: Also capable of high-definition visuals and sounds, the DualShake has limited motion sensor that could complement the original Rez's control scheme. The original Rez appeared on PlayStation 2 (as a port from the Dreamcast), so there is precedent there. However, the PlayStation 3 controller does lack a rumble feature, which was key to the first Rez.
[Via PS3 Fanboy]
[update 1: Added more to the PlayStation 3 discussion: clarified that the "original" Rez is on the Dreamcast and that the PS2 is a port. Also noted, as it needs to be said, that the PS3 DualShake lacks a rumble feature.]
[update 2: Further clarified its Dreamcast, and not PS2, origins. Diehard Rez fans are hard to come by, and we love it when we find them.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jeff @ May 18th 2006 3:32PM
"The original Rez appeared on PlayStation 2, so there is precedent there."
Minor correction: the *original* Rez appeared on Dreamcast. The *port* appeared on PlayStation 2.
Yeah yeah, I'm being nitpicky - I know you meant "original" as in "first in the series". But let's give credit to the console that had it first, and played it best. It does actually look better on Dreamcast (I own both versions) and it is slightly harder on Dreamcast in a way I can't quite define - probably, the enemies just shoot more often. But it's the kind of game where you often don't even notice you're shot at until you are hit.
Anyway, Rez is one of my favorite games of all time, and I would buy any console a sequel appeared on just to play it. (I'm buying all three anyway, but assuming I wasn't.)
Nathan @ May 18th 2006 3:33PM
My boss and I were playing Rez in his office about a month ago and were thinking "this would make a damn cool Wii game". Let's hope it happens. Rez is great.
Lunker @ May 18th 2006 3:34PM
It should be made on all of them, because the original is beautiful and everyone should be able to experience it.
Lunker @ May 18th 2006 3:35PM
Strangley, this got clipped from my comment:
The wireframe visuals don't really necessitate HD anything, and it's not the type of game to scream "online play," so I don't see any one system having an advantage.
HOWEVER, the force feedback of feeling the thump of the music was a MAJOR component of the immersion, so Sony's rumbleless controller loses major points.
Player1 @ May 18th 2006 3:36PM
Nathan,
You totally missed the point of Rez if all you can think about is how cool of a Wii game it would make.
Player1 @ May 18th 2006 3:40PM
...besides, PSP is what it needs to be on.
Kwipper @ May 18th 2006 3:42PM
I don't care what system the sequel to Rez comes out. I just want it to come out! I loved Rez and I am itching for a sequel!
James Sorensen @ May 18th 2006 3:45PM
hopefully true and don't matter to me what system its on will be great on any
Alkaiser @ May 18th 2006 3:45PM
I don't care what system it comes out on, just that when it does come out, it better not be a shooter-on-rails like it was last time. Some of us actually like to dodge in our shooters.
patrick @ May 18th 2006 3:47PM
hey lady, you wanna come over and play with my wii?
rez is in my list of top games of all time, along with super metroid, solitaire, skifree, doom, xcom, duck hunt, snake rattle and roll...
White Rose Duelist @ May 18th 2006 3:49PM
Insert obligatory Trance Vibrator comment here.
burnt_secondary @ May 18th 2006 3:49PM
So I finished Rez a couple of years ago and while I was giving myself a pat on the back and watching the closing credits roll there was a disturbing message at the end of the credits . . .
"She is still trapped in the system."
Was that at the end for everyone or didn't I really finish the game?
Just wondering, great game though.
Prof-KOS @ May 18th 2006 3:55PM
Patrick, no....bad Patrick. Wii jokes are not funny anymore. Please stop.
Anyways, on topic. I am looking forward to a Rez sequel, regardless of the system. I'll play it on any of them, since my friend who obviously has more money than brains pre-ordered a PS3. There are no limits anymore. Bring it on. I think Wii would be neat, though.
Ibere @ May 18th 2006 3:57PM
"the trippy PS2 game"
I think you should say "the trippy Dreamcast game". Rez is a classic Dreamcast game: Dreamcast fans really loves the game, while in the PS2, not many people cared about it.
Lunker @ May 18th 2006 3:57PM
No. 9: "I don't care what system it comes out on, just that when it does come out, it better not be a shooter-on-rails like it was last time. Some of us actually like to dodge in our shooters."
If it were a more typical shmup, I'd probably agree, but Rez was not really about the gameplay so much as about the entire audio/visual experience. By not being able to move, the emphasis was on shooting down and intercepting enemy fire, so all of your focus was "out there" as opposed to right around your character.
Chalex @ May 18th 2006 3:58PM
Although the PS3 does lack a rumble feature they could always re-release the trance vibrator.
32_Footsteps @ May 18th 2006 3:58PM
PErsonally, I think the strongest hints thus far would suggest a 360 release. Moreover, I could see Microsoft trying a full-court press to convince him that it should be on the 360 - Rez 2 would go a long way towards convincing Japanese consumers that the 360 is worth a look, and Microsoft would bend over backwards for that.
That said, I'm just imagining what kind of wild things you could do if you combined the gameplay of Rez and NiGHTS on the Wii using the motion sensors.
elmer @ May 18th 2006 4:02PM
Man, the vibration in the Wii would be nice, but this game would fit the controller's speaker function like no other. That and Samba De Amigo, which my dreamcast owning friend assured me long ago was another reason to live.
Edmund @ May 18th 2006 4:02PM
Rez is one of my top three PS2 games and I would jump for joy if a sequel was announced. It would be great on the PS3, the 360, or the PSP, but the obvious choices are the DS and the Wii. It would be great on any other system but it would be superb on a touch screen or motion based system. I want them to rerelease Rez a second time on PS2 so everyone who wants one can get a copy.
" it better not be a shooter-on-rails like it was last time."
No way, I say keep Rez how it is.
And to Player 1:
I'd love to hear what "the point" of Rez is. He's talking about making the exact same game but instead of moving a cursor around with a d-pad or analog stick you'd do it with a pointer. It's a fabulous idea.
Edmund @ May 18th 2006 4:06PM
32_footsteps
Nights is another game I want to see on Wii. And the idea that Microsoft would buy it to appeal to Japanese gamers is a pretty likely theory. I'd hate to see that happen since the Wii offers a lot to the game, but if it happens it happens. At tis point my second system will most likely be a 360 over a PS3 anyway. $600 plus another $60 or so for Rez is a lot of money.
Jeff @ May 18th 2006 4:10PM
"Rez 2 would go a long way towards convincing Japanese consumers that the 360 is worth a look, and Microsoft would bend over backwards for that."
Well, it's not as if Rez is a household name in Japan either. It's just as niche there.
But I wouldn't be surprised to see it on Xbox 360 regardless. MS has been all about trying to gain street cred ever since the original Xbox launch, and there's nothing more cred than Rez. It's hardcore. It's a game not many people "get" and those that do almost consider themselves part of an exclusive little club. I do think that's a big part of what makes any system successful, is having enough of those types of games. It's not enough to just satisfy the broad demographics (though you obviously need to do that too), you also need to create these little micro-communities of gamers that rally around these small titles. Get a decent number of real hardcore niche games and you really solidify your base.
And I think MS understands this and has been trying to secure a number of these titles over the years. So Rez 2 on the 360 wouldn't surprise me... but I still think PS3 is more likely, if for no other reason than it's a Japanese game.
Nushio @ May 18th 2006 4:11PM
The Trance Vibrator was the thing that made me look at Wii as the next one ;)
The ladies will be wild for the game, thats for sure!
diggity @ May 18th 2006 4:13PM
Quick question didn't this tile release with a vibrating pad or accessory? I never had an opportunity to play and I love games that involve musical elements.
ALH @ May 18th 2006 4:18PM
I'm praying for a wii port here, because i dont want to have to buy a ps3 or 360 for it ..and i would follow it to any platoform too..:(
Jellodyne @ May 18th 2006 4:19PM
Actually, Rez would make a really great XBL game. The assets wouldn't be so large as to make it a prohibitive download, and they could release add on music packs as microcontent. Puzzle games don't usually sell all that many copies, but as a great $5-$10 XBL game it might do Geometry Wars numbers.
Player1 @ May 18th 2006 4:43PM
Edmund,
The point I was referring to was synaesthesia. The interaction between the sound (including vibration, which is what sound is) and visuals. If it was about controls, it probably would have used more than two buttons and an analogue stick.
Now if the makers of Rez believed that a motion sensing controller enhanced the experience of the game, why would they instead have just made a vibrating brick as a peripheral? And it's not like the Dreamcast or PS2 didn't already have rumble.
I prefer to appreciate the game for the work of art it is instead of insisting the Wii controller is a panacea and every game would be better with it when it hasn't even been released to the world. That version of the game is perfect as is.
Clyde_Radcliff @ May 18th 2006 4:58PM
Regarding burnt_secondary's post, I think you have to get over 95% shot down and finish the game in the highest state to get the 'propper' ending. Theres a different tune, lots of wireframe butterflies and it signs off with "Good night. Thank You, My savior."
Im told theres a 'pink butterfly' ending if you you get over 98%, but I fear my thumbs would a splode.
James M. @ May 18th 2006 5:10PM
I would love to see it but I'm not holding my breathe. The original Rez sells pretty high on Ebay because it was discontinued several months after release. In terms of sales the game bombed. Theres not a whole lot in it for Sega to make one next gen. Now somebody said possibly releasing Rez over Xbox Live Arcade. I think something like that has enormous potential and then that could lead into a potential sequal but based on how the game performed originally it's just hard to imagine a Rez 2 showing up on anything. Let's hope I'm wrong.
dkh @ May 18th 2006 5:13PM
If I could expand on the idea that the Wii's controller/speaker system is advantageous...
Not only does the idea that an extra speaker, right in the palm of your hand, sound like a fantastic addition, but for me the concept of echoes are just awesome. If the music featured an option where music could move around (I've never worked with more than stereo speakers, so I don't know how better speaker systems work), that would be excellent. But further, the idea of attack sounds originating in the hand and being reflected in a new form, length, pitch, whatever, on the TV/main speakers is sweet.
Gotta love it.
Gonzo @ May 18th 2006 5:18PM
I was so psyched when Rez (1.5) became available again at regular price from gamequestdirect.com and it instantly became one of my all time favorite ps2 games: right up there with BurnoutR and Katamari. Those of you who know me, know why.
This is one game that needs a sequel. The first was almost exactly like the Dreamcast version (a couple of extras) which wasn't a bad idea but this one needs to be reworked a little.
My wife & I (but her mostly) are hoping they re-release the trance vibrator too.
Ross Miller @ May 18th 2006 5:25PM
Sorry, had to delete the comment regarding where exactly to purchase Rez, comes off as an advertisement and adds nothing else to the article. All the same, those who wish to find Rez online can do so through various outlets, and one of them is mentioned in Gonzo's comment.
Player1 @ May 18th 2006 5:32PM
Sorry Ross...not my intention. I just wanted people who didn't know where to get it to be able to enjoy a great game. Thanks for leaving a hint though.
Jeff @ May 18th 2006 5:35PM
"All the same, those who wish to find Rez online can do so through various outlets, and one of them is mentioned in Gonzo's comment."
Yeah, and it's kinda OT but they're not only an "outlet", they actually licensed the game from Sega and have made a second production run themselves. This has had the affect of annoying a whole lot of people who thought they had collector's items and now find them to be basically worthless, because there is supposedly no real way to tell the originals from the new production run.
Honestly, I gotta confess that I'm such a Rez fanatic that I actually bought a second-run copy even though I have both a first-run PS2 copy and a Dreamcast copy of the game. But I moved right after buying it and I still haven't unpacked my games - so I haven't been able to compare the two. There's always *some* difference when a new company comes in and has to start production anew, but a lot of people swear there isn't with this game and just from my cursory look through the manual and the disc, I don't really see anything obvious.
But yeah, there is a second run out there, and you can buy the game new if you want. If it's still getting high prices on Ebay, then those buyers are chumps.
GeometryWars @ May 18th 2006 5:37PM
WTF is the attraction - the graphics on that game sux.
burnt_secondary @ May 18th 2006 5:53PM
No. 27 - Thanks, I figured it would have something to do with percent complete buy I didn't know what the percent was, or if it was even reasonably attainable.
ma5h @ May 18th 2006 6:54PM
Regarding burnt_secondary's post, you could also unlock the extra ending messages via playing the unlocked segments, like the lost levels and the full run throughs in crazy colour schemes like ambient and punk.
i think i am up to :-
"she is free but there is more truth to be uncovered"
all in all this is an excellent game and i am always whoring it out to my friends. this is however mainly due to the fact that i bought two copies off e-bay by accident, doh!
striderhayasa @ May 18th 2006 8:08PM
@ 21 Jeff, I agree 100 percent. There are a few games on the PS1 that were exclusive to a select group. Most people couldn't "get" these games or just couldn't play them. Wipeout and Armored Core come to mind. Wipeout, with its sense of speed, controls and tripped out soundtracks is not for everyone (F-Zero is the same but moreso) and Armored Core is strictly for the mech elite. EVERYTHING on that game is manual, Boost functions, countermeasures, evasive tactics, maintaining the generator, over boosting...
Unfortunately, I never played REZ. I could never find it in stores but I would love to see it on the Wii or DS. The touch functions and/or the motion sensors could work great IMO
Justin @ May 18th 2006 8:34PM
Fine, I'll ask:
BUT, will this new Rez be graphically pumped and vibratory enough to make my girl cum while we're tripping balls?
Justin @ May 18th 2006 8:34PM
Fine, I'll ask:
BUT, will this new Rez be graphically pumped and vibratory enough to make my girl cum while we're tripping balls?
V1L3 @ May 18th 2006 8:37PM
#29: Nyeh, I don't know, man...
I mean, even ignoring the loss of 5.1 in sans of Pro Logic II, having Rez's wicked thumping soundtrack blasting away on your surround sound system with high frequency sounds sqwawking out of the remote's tinny speaker, (which then fade in and out of auditory range as you move or turn the remote) would ruin the soundscape.
dvddesign @ May 18th 2006 9:04PM
@ GeometryWars
Play the game in a dark surround sound environment on a 60" TV.
Then come back and ask me again what the big deal was.
The game is meant to be a trippy shooter tied to the music. I remember the first time I played through the first level, I had chills up my spine when playing the first level boss.
I can't explain it, but it's a fantastic game. I bought it on a lark when it first came out and I DO NOT regret buying it. It'll be the last PS2 game I'll ever get rid of.
Navstar @ May 18th 2006 9:53PM
I want another Space Channel 5 sequel for Wii. That would be so perfect!!
Up down up down chu chu chu!
phipscube @ May 19th 2006 3:22AM
I think it should appear on all formats. Games like Rez should be available to everyone.
But personally I'd like to try Rez on Wii. The graphics to me are amazing in a special way but not technically challenging. If TM keeps that similar style I think it would be a very good compliment for Wii and its mad controller.
Rez is also one of those rare games that NEEDS rumble in the controller so PS3 would suffer... but the motion sensing of the pad would work... I don't think as good as Wii though.
It should appear packaged with a vibration unit as standard that you strap to yourself. That would be the ultimate.
Jim @ May 19th 2006 11:01AM
Rez was one of those special games that was about total immersion in a vibrant environment. Thinking about a sequel or even a similar concept tailored around the Wii really excites me. When I first heard about the Wiimote speaker, I thought it was a little dubious, but after seeing the Zeldas Demo at E3, I realized what potential it showed.
I can't think of a better franchise to use this feature, it would take the feeling of fully participating in a gaming environment to the next level. Fluid interaction between movement and sound it exactly what the Wii was tailored for. Sorry for sounding like a fan boy ; )