Design Lesson 101 - Rez HD

[’Design Lesson 101′ is a regular column by Raven game designer Manveer Heir. The challenge is to play a game from start to completion - and learn something about game design in the process. This week we take a look at Rez HD, a port for Xbox Live Arcade of the Dreamcast rail shooter.]
On the surface, Rez is nothing more than a simple on-rails shooter. You cannot control your avatar, only what you shoot. The levels are finite, the enemies predictable, and the mechanics simple.
However, the developers (headed by original designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi) have utilized a number of visual, aural, and tactile elements in the game to create a surreal experience that can often defy explanation. This is an experience that goes beyond just pure gameplay.
Design Lesson: It is possible to layer and intertwine simple aesthetics with each other in order to create a more engaging player […]

Original post by editors@gamesetwatch.com (Manveer Heir) and software by Elliott Back