REZ __ Dreamcast and PS2

It's been exactly three months since I last played REZ (Dreamcast JPN version), so I figured it was about time to take it out again. This time, I played Area One on both the Dreamcast and PS2 (REZ is on the new OPM PS2 demo). Here's what I can conclude:

Dreamcast version:
- Much sharper graphics on the background, enemies, bosses, opening, and in-game text
- Better digital control

PS2 version:
- Better rumble/vibration
- Silky-smooth framerate
- Better analog control


So I guess there is no definitive version of REZ...

How do you guys think the different versions stack up against each other ??
I really like the how smooth the PS2 version feels, but the Dreamcast version's graphics were way sharper. No jaggies or shimmer on the Dreamcast version.
If you own both versions, which one do you play more ??

Also, I'm sure its been mentioned before, but can the transvibrator be used with the US PS2 version of REZ ??

- Kabuki

Gamespot confirmed (in the review if I'm not mistaken) that the Trancevibrator does work on a US PS2 and (of course) the US version of the game.

The Trance Vibrator alone makes the PS2 version the definitive version. RGB SCART sorts out the jaggy problem for me, but then i'm the sort of person who can't make out the jaggys in Tekken Tag and the VF4 jaggys are only seen by me if I think about them. Using RGB rather than composite significantly improves things but just concentrating on the game makes them vanish for me. JSRF also has aliasing if you stare at the screen :)

Dreamcast version:
- Better digital control

Why would you want to use the d-pad??

I don't know about the transvibrator, but VGA makes it for me. It's not just the artifact-free picture, it's the removal of interlacing. Even RGB is interlaced, so I'll take my DC VGA display any day!

I think the DC version is much better, control-wise and visual-wise.

My PS2 version has chuggy framerate and slowdown in places(esp. Area 5 and Lost Area) that are handled without a stutter on the DC.

I dislike the transvibrator intensely - it distracts from the game. I don't even use a jump pack on the DC - the way I hold the controller makes my wedding ring vibrate loudly and uncomfortably.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by BioMechanic
My PS2 version has chuggy framerate and slowdown in places(esp. Area 5 and Lost Area) that are handled without a stutter on the DC.

I dislike the transvibrator intensely - it distracts from the game. I don't even use a jump pack on the DC - the way I hold the controller makes my wedding ring vibrate loudly and uncomfortably.

---

Interesting that the framerate chugs in parts (Area One was really smooth on PS2).

I hear ya about the clanking ring thing !! 'Cept mine's not a wedding ring.


Thanks for the varies responses guys. Keep them coming !!
- Kabuki

"My PS2 version has chuggy framerate and slowdown in places(esp. Area 5 and Lost Area) that are handled without a stutter on the DC. "

I don't mean to be rude but I think you've got the 2 versions muddled up here... no slowdown on mine whilst the DC version really chugs on Area 5. I love the Trance Vibrator but I make sure not to put it against my chest after a meal; I was violently sick after that :lol:

What's this love for VGA? Give me CRT and RGB anyday. Have you got a huge monitor?

No harm done, Sidez, but I've got em straight.

The first thing I did when I got the US PS2 version was play them on identical TVs, side-by-side, with a friend.

Every time, my PS2 version suffers a framerate drop in heavily populated areas, while I've yet to see noticeable slowdown on my DC rev.

Seems to go against what most people have been saying, but there it is. I prefer the DC version, but play the PS2 one because I use the DC-X for imports, and I don't want to put unneccesary wear on the DC lens.

Thanks Kabuki for the comparsions. As for the DC version "chugging", there's about 40 second of slowdown for a 40 minute game.

Both games accomplish their artistic goal and are FUN, no need to downplay one for the other. *-neo

Actually the reason the DC version may feel slow is it runs at 30FPS (yup, I admit it) while the PS2 version runs at 60.

A gent whose opinion I trust on IGN also said the PS2 version drops in framerate, haven't had a chance to play it long myself (area 1 was it) *-neo

*ahem*

So, what version of REZ should I buy?

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Sidez
What's this love for VGA? Give me CRT and RGB anyday. Have you got a huge monitor?

---

I'm playing on a 27 inch Wells Gardner. It has both RGB and VGA inputs. It's not like playing on a computer monitor at all because first of all it's 27 inches, and second it's the exact same Wells gardner tube we all know and love from the arcade. Trust me. Nothing compares to VGA. The lack of interlacing makes all of the differnce in the world. On a standard TV with S-video or SCART look at the edges of objects (in a high res game) when the screen scrolls. See that tearing? Ewwww.... VGA doesn't do that.:) To play Cannon Spike or DOA 2 in VGA mode on that 27 inch Wells Gardner is to bask in video perfection....

Heh, if you can afford that then fair play. I can't imagine everyone who raves on about VGA, owning such a nice piece of kit however. I've tried VGA DC (Sonic and Soul Calibur) before on my 19" PC monitor and I couldn't see what all the fuss was about however.

Zerodash- Jap PS2 Rez Special Package. Will set you back $90 though.

Do they sell trance vibrators for the game by their lonesome? And, if so, where do I get one?

How much does it add to the game, anyway? It's a great game. I have the PS2 version, and I think the graphics look pretty nice running on component cables on my 27" Vega. I haven't noticed any slowdown at all, and I'm usually pretty picky when it comes to stuff like that...

I remember telling this guy at EB that Rogue Leader slows down in the asteroids stage and in the stage with the downed SD (which it certainly DOES!) and this guy denied it soooo much. Weird. Why would I lie??

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Chibi Nappa
I'm playing on a 27 inch Wells Gardner. It has both RGB and VGA inputs. It's not like playing on a computer monitor at all because first of all it's 27 inches, and second it's the exact same Wells gardner tube we all know and love from the arcade. Trust me. Nothing compares to VGA. The lack of interlacing makes all of the differnce in the world. On a standard TV with S-video or SCART look at the edges of objects (in a high res game) when the screen scrolls. See that tearing? Ewwww.... VGA doesn't do that.:) To play Cannon Spike or DOA 2 in VGA mode on that 27 inch Wells Gardner is to bask in video perfection....

---

Chibi,

I am seriously considering picking up a 27" Wells-Gardner from Mas Systems. However, I'm not quite sure if the one Mas is offering also has the VGA inputs. If you don't mind telling me, where did you pick up your Wells-Gardner from? I've been dying to play my DC and Saturn games on one of these puppies for the longest.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Sidez
[B]Heh, if you can afford that then fair play. I can't imagine everyone who raves on about VGA, owning such a nice piece of kit however. I've tried VGA DC (Sonic and Soul Calibur) before on my 19" PC monitor and I couldn't see what all the fuss was about however.

---

Part of that is your choices. Soul Calibur was designed for the DC to be seen through a TV, otherwise the characters look like action figures in VGA, and Sonic Adventure (and part 2) give off similar effects. Most of the games (like DOA2, Rez, Cosmic Smash) look greatly improved through VGA, and gets rid of the unwanted blurring of edges and color bleeding while still keeping the image vibrant and clean.

Of course, much like true 5.1, it's really only there for the philes of that sort of thing, so if you don't really notice it, don't let it bother you.

Heh, Rez. Long time...

Actually, I just showed the game to my friend a couple weeks ago. He was pretty amazed.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by TheGooch


Chibi,

I am seriously considering picking up a 27" Wells-Gardner from Mas Systems. However, I'm not quite sure if the one Mas is offering also has the VGA inputs. If you don't mind telling me, where did you pick up your Wells-Gardner from? I've been dying to play my DC and Saturn games on one of these puppies for the longest.

---

Well, only a couple months late with the reply, but here goes: :)

I'm almost positive that the MAS monitors are not tri-mode. I bought mine direct from the Wells Gardner website. Make sure to get a monitor that supports CGA, EGA, and VGA. That covers your sync rate bases nicely. I got mine for just under $600 after shipping. However, and this is a big however, you have to know what you are getting into on the connections end of things. The VGA connetor is standard, but the EGA/CGA connector is FUNKY and you will probably have to have something custom made. You also need a case for it, or you have to be willing to put up with the eyesore of a bare monitor tube and circuit boards. For me, the inconvienience of all that is more than made up for by the perfect picture.

Here's some other little differences:

- There's a picture of an orange butterfly on the screen right after the initial loading of your saved game on the DC.

- The bottom of security node's light beam is a bright white on the DC version, and yellow on the PS2 version.

- When you press start on the DC version, the music sort of trails off, wheras it just stops dead on the PS2.

- I'm not sure about this one on the PS2, but when you leave the game paused for a long period of time on the DC, the screen starts get all wavy and rippley with this water effect.



And if has not already been said before, VGA looks oh so sweet.

I just bought the Playstation 2 version new for $15 two days ago.

That might help make your decision easier.

I picked up the DC version new for $55 or whatever it was originally at NCSX, then about 3 weeks ago I got the PS2 one for $19.99 at BB, I've yet to open it, but I don't see much slowdown in the DC version, but I do see some, mainly in area 2 where you destroy the battleship things. But other than that, there's no real places I notice cugging consistently.

I don't even think about slowdown when I play the game. If there ever even is any, it's completely ignorable.

Unless you're playing a game on the SNES, slowdown is rarely an issue. I still need this game... ordering DC version today hopefully.

the DC version runs at a lower framerate normally, so slow down isn't as likely.

the PS2 version runs at 60fps and slows in a few parts. After playing Wipeout Fusion longer than I need to, such slowdown in Rez is hardly worth whinning about. Get the PS2 version - it's a bit faster, it's out here in the US, and you wind up doing the most service to Sega by buying domestic. Plus it's 30 bucks last time I checked.

does anybody know where i can get a trance vibrator or a trance vibrator with the game?

I'm going to bump this and just agree with Hero wholeheartedly.
*Gives Hero a cookie*

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Zerodash
*ahem*

So, what version of REZ should I buy?

---

IMO, the cheaper and more readily available one. There's certainly not $20 worth of difference between the versions.

Any word on 3rd-party trancevibrator availability?

*did not realize how old this thread is*

Japanese PS2 re-release on the 10th of July.

$35.

www.ncsx.com

The smoother frame rate on PS2 lets me shoot better and much higher completion % for some reason... but I love both versions.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Sidez
Heh, if you can afford that then fair play. I can't imagine everyone who raves on about VGA, owning such a nice piece of kit however. I've tried VGA DC (Sonic and Soul Calibur) before on my 19" PC monitor and I couldn't see what all the fuss was about however.

Zerodash- Jap PS2 Rez Special Package. Will set you back $90 though.

---

play guilty gear x and skies of arcadia thru vga.....if not impressed, TEHN you can downtalk it :D

Just won REZ for JDC (new) and should be playing it in a week or two. I already have the U.S. version (for PS2) so I'm curious how it compares myself.

If you haven't got a copy of Rez yet, you can't go wrong with both versions. The differences are hardly noticeable and both play well. Get the cheapest of the two versions if you can't decide.

I never get the Rez DC vs PS2 comparisons. Mostly because of the supposed PS2 slowdown factor. I have the PS2 version and never once have I seen the slowdown so many complain about. I played through the DC version at Lucas' house several times and did find slowdown in that though. Visually they didn't really look different from each other, the PS2 just moved along much smoother. PS2 just seems to be the way to go.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Chibi Nappa
Well, only a couple months late with the reply, but here goes: :)

I'm almost positive that the MAS monitors are not tri-mode. I bought mine direct from the Wells Gardner website. Make sure to get a monitor that supports CGA, EGA, and VGA. That covers your sync rate bases nicely. I got mine for just under $600 after shipping. However, and this is a big however, you have to know what you are getting into on the connections end of things. The VGA connetor is standard, but the EGA/CGA connector is FUNKY and you will probably have to have something custom made. You also need a case for it, or you have to be willing to put up with the eyesore of a bare monitor tube and circuit boards. For me, the inconvienience of all that is more than made up for by the perfect picture.

---

Christ Almighty, I just saw your response now. Thanks for the insight, Chibi. I am not at all familiar with the specifics regarding the EGA/CGA connector. Looks like I have some serious research to do here, but I'm still interested in picking one of these up. 600 bones isn't a bad deal at all.

i have the both versions, and as far as i can tell, there's no slowdown in either.

the PS2 version runs smoother, and because of that, it gives it an overall more polished feel.

I love Rez so much. Masterpiece...



Rez is a prime example of why SEGA ownz everyone!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Orta
I love Rez so much. Masterpiece...

---

Great! Now post on the Rez high score thread.

I think it's about time I just bite the bullet and spend $50 on this game.

The original post's differences are almost exactly as I have noted the two versions. The PS2 one is smoother, that's for sure, and the rumble is better. But the DC one is just like any DC game, very clean and of course runs on VGA :D Man I love the VGA box, I use it 24/7 and I'm telling you, if you go back to a composite signal, hell, even an S-Video after all that it's really quite blurred and ugly.

All in all, I truly have no preference, as both have advantages. If I had to buy only one I'd get the PS2 one for collectors' purposes as well as a smoother game, plus it's a US release.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Lucas Barton
i have the both versions, and as far as i can tell, there's no slowdown in either.

---

The Dreamcast release has numerous instances of slowdown especially when going for the MAX lock-ons. There can be massive amounts of slowdown through one particular section of Area 2. The level of your character and the coresponding 'laser' effects when slowdown may occur. As already mentioned, locking-on up to MAX consecutively can bog the Dreamcast down in quite a few areas regardless of what form the character is.
I haven't played the PS2 version enough to make conclusions, but my play through Area 2 on PS2 never produced the slowdown I jerk through on Dreamcast. Of course I'm also awkward with the PS2 digital control, so the MAX lock-ons weren't there either.

Omni, you might want to try finding a copy of the demo of Rez in OPM. It's better than nothing.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Sidez
What's this love for VGA? Give me CRT and RGB anyday. Have you got a huge monitor?

---

Who needs a monitor when new HDTVs can take VGA signals in? I get 480p out of my DC on my Zenith HDTV and it looks superb -- I will be getting Rez for DC eventhough I own the PS2 version just to experience it through VGA...

That being said -- do monitors give you better gaming picture than even HDTVs? This is my problem -- anything below next generation looks pretty ass -- like even the Saturn through s-vid looks terrible for 2-D games because of all the errors it brings out in the graphics -- like little dancing dots here and there -- a very strange effect I notice on older systems and the Genesis just looks horrendous -- I imagine it will even look poor through s-vid -- I like HDTV but it really brings out the flaws...

"do monitors give you better gaming picture than even HDTVs?"

If the HDTV can take in RGB, it's probably absolutely minimally better, if better at all. But if you're using component the image is getting converted to the color difference standard, and converted back to RGB in your TV before display, and that does things to the image, of course. I have seen a DC VGA box running through a component converter on an HDTV, so that it ran progressively and everything, and it looked as close to a monitor as you could possibly get without it being one, the component standard is quite good at avoiding damaging the picture, especially compared to composite.

However, I think what your're looking for is kind of the opposite of a "perfect" display. 2D and older consoles will look just as bad, if not worse on a VGA monitor. While the VGA is superior for high resolutions, it can be quite ugly for lower resolutions. Similar to how 2D fighters on VGA boxes look weird, I've tried older consoles on a monitor and the image flaws really stick out. Like your HDTV bringing out the flaws, a VGA will only do the same unfortunately.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by ssbomberman
This is my problem -- anything below next generation looks pretty ass -- like even the Saturn through s-vid looks terrible for 2-D games because of all the errors it brings out in the graphics -- like little dancing dots here and there -- a very strange effect I notice on older systems and the Genesis just looks horrendous -- I imagine it will even look poor through s-vid -- I like HDTV but it really brings out the flaws...

---

Yeah, dot crawl is a pain in the arse. Dot crawl compounded by an HDTV's line doubler is a million times worse. I would never use an HDTV or VGA monitor on hardware that puts out a 15 hz (low res) sync rate. The line doubling just does too much damage to the picture in general, and if you're not running RGB it throws the video artifacts in your face. If you are running RGB, then line doubling throws razor sharp pixel edges in your face. It is always good to keep a non-HDTV around for 64 bit and earlier era games. Again, this is why I love my WG monitor so much. It's like HD TV and old school TV in 1 with it's multi sync rates, and it's all pure RGB inputs. :)

Quote:

---

Originally posted by TheGooch
Christ Almighty, I just saw your response now. Thanks for the insight, Chibi. I am not at all familiar with the specifics regarding the EGA/CGA connector. Looks like I have some serious research to do here, but I'm still interested in picking one of these up. 600 bones isn't a bad deal at all.

---

A reply that's a couple months late to a reply that was itself a couple months late. Beautiful. :) And I still recommend looking into that monitor. After owning mine all this time, the hassles are still greatly outweighed by the picture quality and versitility.