Editing Rez (video game) (section)

===Original release===
Sega originally shipped ''Rez'' in fairly small quantities.<ref name="RezShipments"/> In Japan, the PS2 version sold just under 37,600 units.<ref name="RezSalesJP"/> By 2003, the PlayStation 2 version had sold over 100,000 copies in North America.<ref name="ownt"/> Although generally low, North American sales were worse than in Japan, though Mizuguchi held out hope for European sales.<ref name="RezSalesJPNA"/> On the whole, ''Rez'' was classified as a commercial failure worldwide, blamed alternately on poor marketing support from Sega, and its non-standard gameplay and art style.<ref name="GamaKazdal"/><ref name="EuroInterview"/>

Japanese gaming magazine ''[[Famitsu]]'' reviewed both versions of the game in the same issue.<ref name="FamitsuDreamcast"/> In their PS2 version review, ''Famitsu'' praised its combination of rail shooter and music genre mechanics while also praising the visual design.<ref name="FamReviewPS2"/> The Dreamcast version was given one point less than the PS2 version, with a reviewer citing the added gameplay immersion from the Trance Vibrator as the reason for the PS2 version's higher score.<ref name="FamitsuDreamcast"/>

''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' reviewed both versions, preferring the PS2 version due to experiencing slowdown on the Dreamcast release, but lauding both for their visual design and blend of absorbing musical and visual elements.<ref name="EdgeReview"/> ''[[Eurogamer]]''{{'}}s Martin Taylor noted a lack of gameplay content failing to justify a full price purchase, but gave full praise to the visual and music, feeling the game was a well-designed throwback to arcade games from the early days of the medium.<ref name="EuroDreamcast"/> Sam Jones of ''[[Official Dreamcast Magazine (UK magazine)|Official Dreamcast Magazine UK]]'' lauded the visual design and music, but felt a lack of challenge and noted that Sega should develop a sequel to smooth out some of the game's issues. A second opinion from Martin Mathers cited the game as an "essential purchase" and good swansong for the Dreamcast.<ref name="DCMUKreview"/>

''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s David Smith lauded the graphics and found the narrative engaging, and enjoyed the music despite comments that players needed to like the style; he sadly noted that its blend of styles would limit its audience.<ref name="IGNPS2review"/> [[Jeff Gerstmann]], writing for ''[[GameSpot]]'', said that ''Rez'' was strongest in its presentation and music, with the gameplay feeling basic compared to other rail shooters, closing by referring to the game as "decidedly different than other games on the market".<ref name="GameSpotPS2review"/> Duncan Baizley of ''[[PSM3|PSM2]]'' was less positive, recognising its niche appeal but finding it lacking as a game for mainstream players; the environments and concept met with praise, but he faulted the music and found the gameplay difficult due to the graphic style.<ref name="PSM2review"/> Writing for ''[[Games (magazine)|Games]]'' in 2002, reviewer Thomas L. McDonald described ''Rez'' as a game that "carves out its own niche" as an abstract shooter, both emphasising its differences from traditional [[rhythm game]]s and its laudable result.<ref name="GamesOpinion"/>