XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – REZ HD & CHESSMASTER LIVE

This week, the Xbox Live Arcade brings us two new releases in the form of the Tetsuya Mizuguchi's highly anticipated shooter Rez HD and Chessmaster LIVE.

Many of you probably only know the original Rez from the famous internet story about the game and it's curious peripheral, the Trance Vibrator, posted at GameGirl Advance, but even without the more salacious aspect of the games history, Rez does have a cult following among former Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 owners.

At it's heart, Rez HD – like the original Rez, is a rail shooter that tries to draw the player in by presenting them with a world of color and sound that responds to their every action while simultaneously overloading the senses… and for those of you wondering, while the game does not support the original Trance Vibrator, it will support up to three Xbox 360 controllers for one player – allowing two to be used in that capacity.

Rez HD will be available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace at a cost of 800 points ($10).

Title: Rez HD
Developer: Q Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/30/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Set in a cyberworld, the legendary fast-paced action-shooter Rez HD, created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, will provide the ultimate audiovisual experience as the player targets the enemies and hacks the system while creating their own beats. Rez will open your senses … let's go to synaesthesia was the watchword when Rez released in 2001 to become a fan favorite. The dynamic, total integration of visual presentation, sound and player input provides the ultimate audiovisual experience.

• Legendary gaming experience: Old-school vector style graphics, sensory response, and beat synchronization sets the title apart and is perfectly recreated in this port for Xbox LIVE® Arcade in high-definition and 5.1 surround sound.
• The world of Rez: Rez consists of five different levels, each with its own unique visual theme and style, musical track and a boss battle at the end. The game also features several different modes and lots of unlockable elements, giving it plenty of replay value.
• Game modes: Play through the five areas in regular or Score Attack mode. Go to the Beyond mode and try Direct Assault, Lost Mode, the free play Trance Mission, or take on all the bosses consecutively in Boss Rush.
• Feel the rhythm: To further enhance the Rez experience, artists including Coldcut, Adam Freeland, Joujouka, Ken Ishii and Keiichi Sugiyama (SEGA's Wave Master) contributed tracks to the game." – Xbox.com

Next up, we have Chessmaster LIVE from Ubisoft – which is, quite naturally, a chess game. While graphics may play a huge role in many titles, I think anyone familiar with chess knows that a chess game can really only be as good as it's artificial intelligence. It's because of this that I really can't say much else about Chessmaster LIVE as I've yet to play the game, not am I a good enough chess player to accurately judge how well the game plays. My advice to you is to try the demo and read any reviews that are released regarding the game before investing your 800 points ($10) in the title.

Title: Chessmaster LIVE
Developer: Ubisoft Sofia
Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/30/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Enjoy playing as a real strategist with the Xbox LIVE® version of the most-acclaimed chess franchise. Chessmaster LIVE allows you to challenge friends and players all over the world in thrilling contests and determine who's the real champ. Choose among several 3-D (or 2-D) sets and play against virtual characters or real opponents over Xbox LIVE. Solve puzzles and discover exciting variations of this classic board game. Beginners can learn the basics of chess, and veteran players can improve their mastery of the game with the advanced scenario. The game is yours … it's your move!

• The challenge of chess: Compete against advanced A.I. characters or challenge other Xbox LIVE members to a match.
• New message chess system: Start a game without any time limit, and play the game at your leisure over the course of days or even weeks.
• Chess puzzles and chess variations: Puzzle over a series of classic challenges such as "find the fork" or "mate in one," and experience new ways of playing chess including Dark Chess, Losing Chess, Extinction Chess, and Progressive Chess.
• Customizable environments: Choose from six 3-D chess sets and three traditional sets, each with their own distinct sound effects, piece and board design.
• Interact with opponents: Video options allow you to see your challenger during the course of the game." – Xbox.com

As for last week's Live Arcade title, Boogie Bunnies just really didn't do anything for me. Sure, there were plenty of cute bunnies line dancing, but the game itself felt much like so many other puzzlers that I just didn't feel it justified the 800 point ($10) price tag attached to it.