Classic SEGA Ads: “Open New Sense” with Rez on the Playstation 2

It’s unfortunate that a game like United Game Artists’ Rez, the third and final title from the developer, ended up releasing at the time it did. One one hand it could be said that it was one of the Dreamcast’s final great games from an in-house developer, but on the other hand due to the time in which it was released over in Japan, US and European releases were at the time up in the air. While the United States missed out on Shenmue II, Headhunter, and Rez, those in Europe were lucky enough to end up with all three titles for their blue swirl emblazoned console. When it comes to digging up english language commercials for Rez, prepare to be disappointed. Due to SEGA’s shifting interests, english Dreamcast ads for the game are non-existent. In fact, when digging for UGA game ads, I didn’t even come across a Japanese Dreamcast ad for the game.

Thankfully, not all is lost! Rez saw worldwide release on Sony’s Playstation 2, and while english ads still seemingly never materialized, we did get a collection of corny Japanese ads for the game. The first, seen above, features a man on a toilet who gets into a wall pounding contest with a man who really has to go. They end up pounding the wall in rhythm, and in turn they “Open New Sense” before the man outside punches straight through the wall.

SEGA Tunes: Fan recreates the unreleased Rez edit of Adam Freeland’s “Fear”

REZ

Like Space Channel 5, United Game Artists’ Rez was a game in which music was not only a defining element, but a vital one. While Rez played very similarly to the Panzer Dragoon rail shooters, music acted as a heartbeat for the game, a pulse which every action was tied to. To say Rez was a rhythm game, however, would be inaccurate. Attacking enemies out of synch with the beat was doable, and in some of the more hectic moments of the game it was necessary. Yet if you truly gave in to the game’s soundtrack and pulse you’d discover a whole other level of play where music and visuals meld into some magical new sensation.

Rez’s soundtrack featured the likes of Keiichi Sugiyama, Ken Ishii, Mist, Joujouka and Adam Freeland. Each artist contributed a unique sound a feel for their respective stages, and no track was more memorable than Adam Freeland’s “Fear”. Perhaps I say this because the track accompanies the final stage, a moment when the game is building to its big climax and the player is now fully invested. “Fear” itself is quite epic, starting small and building to a electronic string section crescendo. Seeing as Rez‘s soundtrack is popular with fans, the music is readily available on both an official game soundtrack and on albums from the individual artists. However, unique to Adam Freeland’s “Fear” is the fact that while the track is out there, the in-game edit is not… until now.

Year of the Developers: Experience synesthesia with SEGA’s United Game Artists

YOTSD_UGA

This month we are proud to celebrate the unique and musical driven games of United Game Artists (ユナイテッド・ゲーム・アーティスツ). The team was made up of members of SEGA AM6 and headed by Sega AM3’s Tetsuya Mizuguchi. Unfortunately, the team was short lived and only released three titles under the ‘United Game Artists’ banner. Regardless, those three games have made such an impact on us gamers that we are still talking about them over a decade later.

Tuesday Tunes: Fear (Rez Edit)

The onset of a new year  will inevitably brings new experiences. Though a healthy amount of fear for new experiences never hurts, do not let it control you. Embrace the experiences of the coming year and embrace the challenges that you will face. Do not fear failure, because nothing is worse then simply refusing to try.

And if you are having an especially bad day, play a Dreamcast!

Round Table: Our favorite SEGA Soundtracks


After you spend hours in your favorite SEGA game, you always get those damn catchy tunes stuck in your head. They won’t go away, now we will share our favorite SEGA soundtracks, hopefully they stay stuck in your brain like they have ours.

If your favorite soundtrack wasn’t featured, make sure you head down to the comment section and share.

GamesTM Magazine Goes Cover Crazy

The SEGA europe blog has just (as in a few minutes ago) announced that European magazine GamesTM is celebrating their 100th issue by releasing 100 alternate covers to represent their list of the top 100 video games. Of course, SEGA is on the list, so we can expect 12 covers to represent our favorite company. See the other six covers after the jump.

What about Rez HD on PSN?

So with the new announcement of Children of Eden, gamers that have not experienced Rez are obviously intrested in giving the game a go. Especially with all the awards that Children of Eden is snatching up at E3. Playing Rez HD is easy for 360 owners, having the game on their marketplace. PS3 only owners, not so much. When asked on twitter if a user should get Rez on PS2 or just wait for Rez HD on PS3, Q Entertainment responded:

“I’d buy it on PS2 if I were you. If it comes to PSN, it probably won’t be any time soon. Maybe Sega will port it to XBLA/PSN? Duno” Q Entertainment Twitter

This is true, Rez licenses is still owned by SEGA. Rez HD had to be done under the permission of SEGA. I think, if SEGA wanted to do a PSN/XBLA (with extra stuff) now is the time, especially when everyone is going crazy over Children of Eden.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi’s new game called Child of Eden


Above is the trailer for Tetsuya Mizuguchi’s Child of Eden, billed as the spiritual successor for Rez. The game will be heading for both PS3 and Xbox 360. The game is being published by Ubisoft, so we won’t be covering the game from now on. But it is good to see that Mizuguchi is still kicking, can’t wait to play it.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi to announce new game tomorrow at E3

This is actually a long way coming, I have been following this announcement for a couple of years. The game has always been billed as the ‘spiritual successor’ to Rez, one of his more acclaim pieces of work by fans. He was suppose to announce the project called QJ with Atari, but that fell through and Mr. Mizuguchi is now working for Ubisoft, who will finally announce his new game in LA tomorrow.

His tweet:

“Q Entertainment’s new game to be revealed on Monday @5pm PST at the LA Theater. Set your clocks now! Return to SYNESTHAESIA!!”

It sucks to see someone that used to make great games for SEGA leave the company, but its also sad to see SEGA not try to scoop that talent back. Regardless of publisher, I’m still looking forward to seeing his game and what he will create. What about you guys?

[Source: GoNintendo]