Rez

Rez is a game I really wanted to like. Basically a Panzer Dragoon clone, but with an amazing abstract sort of look that's straight out of Lawnmower Man, and an awesome soundtrack-based game concept.

All the sound effects are musical, designed to fit in with the tracks running though each level. So the idea is, as you target and shoot stuff, you add to the music. Great idea, but underplayed to the point of irrelevance. Seriously, what was the point? The last level comes close to what I was expecting in terms of audio-enhancing gameplay, but one level out of five isn't enough, especially when that level only comes close to what the game should have been, rather than achieving anything spectacular. The game sounds awesome, no doubt, but that can't save this game.

Neither can the graphics. The unique style is amazing, it's absolutely fantastic to look at. The environments are fast, fluid and funky. Beautiful. But graphics a good game does not make.

The simple fact is, despite so much promise, so much style, this game is insanely boring. Maybe if they sped it up a bit, or threw in more enemies, or had enemies come in from multiple directions, the simple 'scroll reticle over screen acquiring targets, fire lock on lasers' gameplay might provide a challenge, or at least some entertainment.

But this game is so unenjoyable that, on the rare occasion you fail a level, you will probably find yourself turning your console off rather than forcing yourself to sit through the same few minutes of mindless drudgery again.

Really, really boring. Really boring. The soundtrack would be worth paying for. Videos of the game in action would be worth paying for. The game itself isn't worth touching. Boring. Boring. Really boring.

1 star(s) out of 5

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