Pinball FX2 101
Most of the readers, and gamers who read my blog likely know what pinball is all about. Some of you may have even played a a real pinball table sometime in your lives. The point of this review section isn't to school you on real pinball tables, but instead it's to teach you the gameplay mechanics of 'Pinball FX2'. This video game version is a lot more involved than the real thing, but holds true to real pinball gameplay ...
The controls in Pinball FX2 are kept simple so that you can focus on getting that high score you have always dreamed of achieving. The flippers that you use in the game are simply controlled by using the (Right & Left Trigger) buttons on your controller. Each trigger button controls the corresponding flipper (Right Trigger = Right, Left Trigger = Left). If you've ever played a real pinball machine then you know there's also a tilt button to get the ball out of a jam. To use the 'tilt' feature you simply move the (Left Thumbstick). As far as I know the table won't freeze up if you use tilt too much like it would on a real pinball machine.
Most of the readers, and gamers who read my blog likely know what pinball is all about. Some of you may have even played a a real pinball table sometime in your lives. The point of this review section isn't to school you on real pinball tables, but instead it's to teach you the gameplay mechanics of 'Pinball FX2'. This video game version is a lot more involved than the real thing, but holds true to real pinball gameplay ...
The controls in Pinball FX2 are kept simple so that you can focus on getting that high score you have always dreamed of achieving. The flippers that you use in the game are simply controlled by using the (Right & Left Trigger) buttons on your controller. Each trigger button controls the corresponding flipper (Right Trigger = Right, Left Trigger = Left). If you've ever played a real pinball machine then you know there's also a tilt button to get the ball out of a jam. To use the 'tilt' feature you simply move the (Left Thumbstick). As far as I know the table won't freeze up if you use tilt too much like it would on a real pinball machine.
Pinball FX2 also features a camera system that allows you to change the view of the table. If I remember correctly there are 6 views in total. Some of the views will follow the movement of the ball while others just change the perspective. To change your view you will press the (X) button after starting up the table. You cannot change the view until you have begun playing. Launching the ball onto the table is done by pressing the (A) button. You'll find that there are certain objective based ramps/bumpers/targets on each table that require some extra interactions. For the most part the (Right & Left Bumper) buttons are used to control these interactions along with the (A) button. Each table contains an explaination of these special interactive table targets in the option menu in case you ever have trouble figuring it out.
Scoring on each Pinball FX2 table is decided by the bumpers, ramps, and special interactive targets that you hit/trigger. Unlike real pinball tables, Pinball FX2 has some scoring features that couldn't be done on true pinball machines. Marvel Pinball, for example has some comic book character interactions with moving parts, and special effects. Completing certain objectives based on these character interactions will yield major points. It's definitely a good idea to try and complete as many table objectives as possible before you run out of balls. For the most part though scoring is done by entering ramps, and hitting bumpers. Another scoring thing that Zen Studios has added is the 'Skill Shot'. If you can launch the pinball with the appropriate speed you will earn extra points by hitting a certain target area. I always try for the skill shots, but hitting them properly actually seems harder to do on the Xbox 360 than on the PS3.
MARVEL PINBALL (Wolverine, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Blade)
WOLVERINE
I'm a serious comic book collector, and haved read/collected many of the Wolverine comic books over the years. When I initially learned about the release of the MARVEL Pinball tables on the PS3 I was excited. I think I actually ended up buying them on the day they were released. Unfortunatley like I mentioned earlier, I lost what I had purchased due to my console change. The good news is that Zen Studios was kind enough to allow me to review these tables for the Xbox 360. The following is my personal impressions of the Wolverine/Marvel Pinball table/s ...
The Wolverine Pinball FX2 table caters to both fans of the classic X-Men/Wolverine series as well as fans of the newer comic book series. I noticed immediately that X-23 (Wolverine's Female Clone), and Wolverine's son were illustrated on the table alongside him. The special interactive characters on the table included a Sentinel (classic version), Silver Samurai, and Sabretooth (classic version). The color scheme of the table matched Wolverine's costume colors. The voice actors also complimented the the overall experience quite nicely. I definitely think Wolverine's voice actor suited his personality. The Sabretooth voice acting wasn't that impressive though. All of the special sound effects, and background music suited the Wolverine theme well. I found that this table was actually the easiest one to score on out of the four Marvel Pinball tables. The ramps are easily accessed, and losing the ball frequently isn't really an issue. Hitting the Sabretooth interactive target was easy as well. The Wolverine table is definitely among my top favorites.
SPIDER-MAN
The Spider-Man Pinball FX2 table is the second easiest table to score on in the Marvel Pinball DLC. I really think that the voice acting on this table came closer to the original cartoon series than the Wolverine table did. The Spider-Man table mostly featured classic versions of Spidey's nemesis. The foes on the table include Dr. Octopus (Classic), Mysterio (Classic), and the Green Goblin (Classic). Doctor Octopus will walk across the table with his robotic legs when you trigger a certain event. Mysterio randomly appears at different places on the table that you must hit in order to complete that event. Green Goblin rides on his famous glider as you try to hit him with an explosive pumpkin ball. All of these events are fairly easy to trigger. There are also some side events involving Jameson/The Daily Bugle, Mary Jane, and Aunt May. Overall the tables features are easily accesible. Scoring high on this table is not that difficult.
IRON MAN
Out of the four pinball tables in this set the Iron Man table is the most difficult to score on. The ramps are quite difficult to access, so scoring high on this table is geared more towards the experienced players. There are only two comic book villains on this table. They include The Mandarin (Classic), and Whiplash (Comic Book Version). This table is definitely based more on the comic book series. The Mandarin will shoot a beam with his rings, and Whiplash lashes his two whips about. There's not really that much interaction between the characters on this table though. The most interactive part is when Tony Stark (Iron Man) is suited up with his armor. There are some cool hi-tech looking features, and hologram displays that accent the table nicely. The overall look of the table suits the personality of Tony Stark's/Iron Man's character, and includes a technologically advanced appearance with an Iron Man color scheme. Pepper's (Tony's Female Assistant), and Tony's voice acting definitely goes along with what you would think they should sound like. I found for the most part that the ramps were quite difficult to access, and I usually lose a lot of pinballs each time I play on it. This table is my least favorite out of the four.
BLADE
I'm a huge fan of any character related to the Ghost Rider series. Blade definitely falls into that category. Out of all the tables in the set I think the Blade table is the most unique. It features a night, and day change that alters how you score as well as the appearance of it. The whole look of the table seems more hardcore than the rest of the tables as well. I honestly think it has more features too. The characters included on this table are Hannibal King (Comic Book), Frost (?), and Dracula. The illustrations also include some characters from the 'Dark Hold' comic book series as well as some from the 'Rise of the Midnight Sons' series. To be honest I do wish they would have gone with the Hannibal King character design from 'The Rise of the Midnight Sons' series though. That version seemed, and looked a lot more mature than the version they went with. Aside from that minor complaint I really liked this table. The ramps, and special targets were fairly easy to access. In fact there was quite a variety of special targets to hit on this table like the Dracula bumpers. You could also hunt inhuman fugitives by accessing a certain area at the top of the table, and by playing a digital mini-game that is triggered by it. Hannibal King would even launch the pinball from a massive cannon if you hit the right spot. Blade's voice acting on the table was ok, but I can't say I really liked Hannibal King's voice acting. He seemed like his voice acting talents belonged on the Spider-man table. I know that's my second complaint, but honestly this table is still among my top favorites.
Scoring on each Pinball FX2 table is decided by the bumpers, ramps, and special interactive targets that you hit/trigger. Unlike real pinball tables, Pinball FX2 has some scoring features that couldn't be done on true pinball machines. Marvel Pinball, for example has some comic book character interactions with moving parts, and special effects. Completing certain objectives based on these character interactions will yield major points. It's definitely a good idea to try and complete as many table objectives as possible before you run out of balls. For the most part though scoring is done by entering ramps, and hitting bumpers. Another scoring thing that Zen Studios has added is the 'Skill Shot'. If you can launch the pinball with the appropriate speed you will earn extra points by hitting a certain target area. I always try for the skill shots, but hitting them properly actually seems harder to do on the Xbox 360 than on the PS3.
MARVEL PINBALL (Wolverine, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Blade)
WOLVERINE
I'm a serious comic book collector, and haved read/collected many of the Wolverine comic books over the years. When I initially learned about the release of the MARVEL Pinball tables on the PS3 I was excited. I think I actually ended up buying them on the day they were released. Unfortunatley like I mentioned earlier, I lost what I had purchased due to my console change. The good news is that Zen Studios was kind enough to allow me to review these tables for the Xbox 360. The following is my personal impressions of the Wolverine/Marvel Pinball table/s ...
The Wolverine Pinball FX2 table caters to both fans of the classic X-Men/Wolverine series as well as fans of the newer comic book series. I noticed immediately that X-23 (Wolverine's Female Clone), and Wolverine's son were illustrated on the table alongside him. The special interactive characters on the table included a Sentinel (classic version), Silver Samurai, and Sabretooth (classic version). The color scheme of the table matched Wolverine's costume colors. The voice actors also complimented the the overall experience quite nicely. I definitely think Wolverine's voice actor suited his personality. The Sabretooth voice acting wasn't that impressive though. All of the special sound effects, and background music suited the Wolverine theme well. I found that this table was actually the easiest one to score on out of the four Marvel Pinball tables. The ramps are easily accessed, and losing the ball frequently isn't really an issue. Hitting the Sabretooth interactive target was easy as well. The Wolverine table is definitely among my top favorites.
SPIDER-MAN
The Spider-Man Pinball FX2 table is the second easiest table to score on in the Marvel Pinball DLC. I really think that the voice acting on this table came closer to the original cartoon series than the Wolverine table did. The Spider-Man table mostly featured classic versions of Spidey's nemesis. The foes on the table include Dr. Octopus (Classic), Mysterio (Classic), and the Green Goblin (Classic). Doctor Octopus will walk across the table with his robotic legs when you trigger a certain event. Mysterio randomly appears at different places on the table that you must hit in order to complete that event. Green Goblin rides on his famous glider as you try to hit him with an explosive pumpkin ball. All of these events are fairly easy to trigger. There are also some side events involving Jameson/The Daily Bugle, Mary Jane, and Aunt May. Overall the tables features are easily accesible. Scoring high on this table is not that difficult.
IRON MAN
Out of the four pinball tables in this set the Iron Man table is the most difficult to score on. The ramps are quite difficult to access, so scoring high on this table is geared more towards the experienced players. There are only two comic book villains on this table. They include The Mandarin (Classic), and Whiplash (Comic Book Version). This table is definitely based more on the comic book series. The Mandarin will shoot a beam with his rings, and Whiplash lashes his two whips about. There's not really that much interaction between the characters on this table though. The most interactive part is when Tony Stark (Iron Man) is suited up with his armor. There are some cool hi-tech looking features, and hologram displays that accent the table nicely. The overall look of the table suits the personality of Tony Stark's/Iron Man's character, and includes a technologically advanced appearance with an Iron Man color scheme. Pepper's (Tony's Female Assistant), and Tony's voice acting definitely goes along with what you would think they should sound like. I found for the most part that the ramps were quite difficult to access, and I usually lose a lot of pinballs each time I play on it. This table is my least favorite out of the four.
BLADE
I'm a huge fan of any character related to the Ghost Rider series. Blade definitely falls into that category. Out of all the tables in the set I think the Blade table is the most unique. It features a night, and day change that alters how you score as well as the appearance of it. The whole look of the table seems more hardcore than the rest of the tables as well. I honestly think it has more features too. The characters included on this table are Hannibal King (Comic Book), Frost (?), and Dracula. The illustrations also include some characters from the 'Dark Hold' comic book series as well as some from the 'Rise of the Midnight Sons' series. To be honest I do wish they would have gone with the Hannibal King character design from 'The Rise of the Midnight Sons' series though. That version seemed, and looked a lot more mature than the version they went with. Aside from that minor complaint I really liked this table. The ramps, and special targets were fairly easy to access. In fact there was quite a variety of special targets to hit on this table like the Dracula bumpers. You could also hunt inhuman fugitives by accessing a certain area at the top of the table, and by playing a digital mini-game that is triggered by it. Hannibal King would even launch the pinball from a massive cannon if you hit the right spot. Blade's voice acting on the table was ok, but I can't say I really liked Hannibal King's voice acting. He seemed like his voice acting talents belonged on the Spider-man table. I know that's my second complaint, but honestly this table is still among my top favorites.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Looking forward to what you have to say. Keep it clean, and keep it real. I will reply as soon as I can. Thanks for stopping by!!!
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.