Have you played the trippy rhythm shooter that is Rez? First released in 2001, the game is an on-rails shooter that have players shoot at various targets through a computer network, visualised in a very cyber look. The game was produced by Tetsuya Mizuguchi who has also on various games such as the rhythm game Space Channel 5, the simple but addictive puzzler Lumines and Child Of Eden, a spiritual successor of Rez.
In the documentary produced by toco toco, Mizugichi talks in lengths on his current fascination of VR and how he developed Rez Infinite, a remaster of the original game. Unlike the previous remaster, Rez HD, Rez Infinite adds VR support which Mizugichi mentioned to be something he envisioned even during the original development of Rez years ago.
“When I first think of a game, I don’t imagine any limitations, just like a space in VR,” he said. “I would start from this image then gradually reduce it so it can fit the size of a screen.
“At this time, I was already thinking that this image could be translated as it was by using VR. I was waiting for that time to come.”
Rez Infinite’s VR support, as well as the inclusion of the brand new stage Area X was received favourably by critics. The whole game was indeed perfect for use in VR.
Mizugichi’s thoughts on VR, its future use and making games involving multiple sense are worth listening in its full. Check it out here.
If you love the slick presentation and quality interviews, toco toco has covered a lot of Japanese game creators including Katsura Hashino of Persona 5 fame and Nier’s eccentric director Yoko Taro.