Pinball FX3 (PS4)

The years 2007 through 2017 have been quite the journey for famed pinball developer Zen Studios. They've grown with the times creating, and innovating along the way while producing impressive results. They took chances with intellectual properties outside of their Zen Pinball, and Pinball FX brands at times branching out into VR gaming as well as into actual pinball table creation among other things. They've gone that extra mile to say the least. That's why it took me by surprise when I found out the studio was going to change their signature pinball setup. After what seems like ages since the last released Zen Pinball 2 tables I read about the soon-to-be released Pinball FX3. About it being more about the gamer, and more multiplayer oriented, or focused than ever before. A goal the studio obviously had in mind from the beginning.

Looking back I can kind of understand why the developer chose to go this route. Though the early iterations of their pinball franchise were praised by journalists, and created by their development staff with the utmost attention to detail the new video game releases outside of Zen Studio's company were stealing gamers' attention as new games tend to do. I knew this for a while now as I too migrated from new game to new game looking for my next video game fix. It never was that the pinball tables they produced were boring, or bad, but that new gaming experiences stole my attention. A gaming issue that plagues many indecisive gamers. Thankfully the crew at Zen Studios decided to not let their legacy fall to the wayside ...

When it comes to the fresh branding of Zen Studio's staple pinball series I think the newly introduced RPG-like features in Pinball FX3 as well as the new multiplayer modes, and the new competitive perks are all the more reason for gamers to get back into what Zen Studios is selling. With this newly released, and freely downloadable base hub the developer has provided an upscaled experience, and improved upon it all in ways that will no doubt hold the gamers' attention well beyond a new tables' launch. At base level you can, if you own them, import all of your previous console related Zen Studios pinball table purchases. This is good for anyone who first wants to see what has changed, and decide later if they wish to pursue investing more money into building up their pinball table collection. Secondly gamers can now buy discounted DLC bundles including the newly released, "Universal Classics" set which contains a 'Back to the Future', 'Jaws', and 'E.T.' table for a reasonable price. Compared to a lot of the DLC add-ons out there this DLC, and all the others offered have immense replay value per table making it one of the more worthy purchases from the respective console store.

As I mentioned earlier Pinball FX3 has a new selection of in-game features that are meant to extend your personal experience beyond the solo playthroughs. This time around not only will you find a singleplayer option with the classic, hotseat (4 player competitive via swapping), and practice modes still intact, but you'll also find an additional menu listing in 'Match-Up' form as well as in a 'Tournament" mode. The 'Match-Up' mode listing harbors the previously mentioned classic options as well as new options in the form of a weekly perk inclusive competition with potential bronze to gold tier winners where points are earned via short lived play sessions with specific rules at play. It is these set battles against other gamers' table scores that will earn you points based on your final score. The catch is that there are three bronze to gold tier players to choose from in a one to three star ranking that each contain their own unique points payout.

The 'Match-Up' mode, beyond base level contains a few underlying options that will allow you to tweak your playthrough to your liking. The new perk system which allows you to equip three upgradeable (through earned XP) perks related to the base pinball mechanics (combos, distance, multiball, bumpers ...) will enhance your scoring in various ways. Two of the perks, which are upgraded with XP that is earned by playing on the tables, and a wizard perk which is earned through challenges can be equipped if you have unlocked them. In regards to the challenges they are assigned to a secondary 'Match-Up' mode in which the '1 ball', 'Survival', and '5 Minute' rule sets apply.  In the '1 ball' challenge you have one pinball to get the highest score you can possibly get. This scoring progress is limited by a 15 section meter that fills up one section at a time to certain score goals as you score points on the table. Also using the same 15 meter setup is the 'Survival', and '5 Minute' challenges. The 'Survival' mode doesn't take in account ball losses, but is a strictly timed playthrough. The '5 Minute' challenge, on the other hand gives you a little more time than 'Survival'. Each table has the challenges as well as the core playable modes which includes a perk inclusive option. Meeting certain requirements in the 'Challenge' mode will unlock the tables' Wizard perks.

Lastly, the 'Tournament' mode is where gamers can create, and participate in tournaments that last up to a month. You can set the table rules (1 ball, Survival, 5 Minute, Classic), what perks are allowed (if any), and can choose the table you wish the players to play on. You can even enter into your own tournament. Some created tables are shown in the limited main menu listing, and made accessible there, but some must be searched for using the gamers' username. You can also make the tournament open to all, or private if you so desire. This new mode adds rewards for your efforts in the form of leaderboard rankings, points, and possibly even the new player calling card backgrounds. In regards to the artsy player tags they unlock as you complete various achievements in the different modes. Some are obviously harder to get than others. They offer the gamer bling as well as a sort of prestigious statement.

As with older Zen Studios pinball hubs this one, and the included tables do include a variety of different leaderboards pertaining to each, and every mode. They include that, and trophies alongside the XP earnings, and points. Also to note is the fact that visuals are enhanced, and that various still screen elements have been added for added effect. For those of you looking for options the options menu returns quite boldly with a more robust selection of in-game tweaks pertaining to gameplay, scoring, announcements, and mechanics. The usual sound, and visual options also included.

The Verdict ...

I think Zen Studios did a fantastic job revitalizing their pinball brand. The new modes, and new features add that extra attention stealing appeal that the franchise desperately needed. It makes me want to play on a regular basis now, and I will undoubtedly do so. My only complaint, if any, is how they pieced together some of the DLC in the bundles. I understand they were trying to make the extra purchase options more appealing to newcomers, but those of us lacking a table or two might have to make a duplicate purchase in some cases. In closing, if you've strayed from playing the previous Zen studio pinball games, and are looking for a proper reason to get back into them I think this is the perfect reason. If you are new to the franchise I think it'll be the proper entry point for you as it is what I imagine Zen Studios has envisioned for their pinball experience all along.