Rez

Rez is a rail shooter video game designed by Tetsuya Mizuguchi and developed by United Game Artists, published by Sega. It was released in arcades in 2001 and subsequently ported to home consoles, where it gained a devoted following for its blend of action, music, and psychedelic visuals. The game places players in a cybernetic avatar navigating a digital network, shooting enemies that appear in rhythm with an electronic soundtrack. Scoring is tied to timing; destroying foes on-beat chains combos and unlocks new sections of the virtual environment. The visuals combine wireframe or vector-like environments with luminous color effects that react to the music, creating a synesthetic experience.

The design merges gameplay with sound and vision. Mizuguchi collaborated with electronic musicians to create a soundtrack that is integral to progression, and the visuals are engineered to respond to the audio cues, encouraging players to feel the music as they play. The title's emphasis on rhythm and flow influenced later rhythm-action games and vibrational experiences in video games.

Rez Infinite, a 2016 enhanced edition, expanded the original with updated visuals, additional modes, and virtual reality support, first for PlayStation 4 and later for PC VR, reviving the title for contemporary audiences. The game is regarded as a landmark for its experimental approach to interactivity and sensory design, contributing to Mizuguchi's broader genre explorations at United Game Artists and later studios.