Rez (video game)

Rez is a 2001 rail shooter video game developed by Sega and United Game Artists for the Sega Dreamcast. It is known for its unique blend of gameplay, visuals, and audio, creating a synaesthetic experience often described as "visual music." The game features a first-person perspective, guiding a small, customizable ship through a series of abstract, vibrant levels. Players shoot enemy entities and collect data to progress, all while experiencing a dynamic soundtrack that responds to the gameplay and visuals.

The game's innovative design was groundbreaking, pioneering the concept of a "visual music" game where gameplay, visuals, and sound design synergistically create a deeply immersive experience. The visuals are heavily influenced by psychedelic art, abstract expressionism, and geometric patterns, complemented by a trance-inducing electronic music soundtrack composed by Tetsuya Mizuguchi.

Later ports were released for PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and iOS and Android mobile platforms. The Xbox 360 version, Rez HD, offered enhanced high-definition visuals and a revised soundtrack. A virtual reality version, Rez Infinite, was released in 2016, further enhancing the experience through immersive 3D environments. This version also included a new area, Area X.

The game's influence can be seen in numerous subsequent video games that have adopted similar approaches to synaesthesia and visual music design. ''Rez'' is considered a cult classic, praised for its innovative approach to game design and its lasting impact on the industry. It's widely regarded as a pioneering work in the realm of interactive art.