Pinball FX 3 - William's Pinball: Universal Monster Set

The guys, and gals at Zen Studios know pinball. This fact is continuously made evident with each new table set they bring to their pinball platforms. If you haven't followed them in a while you might not know that they've actually begun creating tribute tables of the William's variety as a sort of set extension to their main brand. Each pack which costs roughly around ten dollars for two to three tables comes complete with a table history via textual intro facts, and the usual embellishments that come with the Zen Studios line of original table creations. That as well as the original artistic design. For example with the 'Universal Monster Set' you get a sort of dual design option that keeps the original design in mind as well as an enhanced version complete with the added video game flair Zen Studios is more known for. Point pop-ups, animatronics, holograms, 3D models, and a side dot matrix display where table events unfold in real time along with your achieved high score. Such things as that. With a single pressing of  'CIRCLE' you can effectively switch on, and off visual enhancements as you play. Similar to the way you change the table views, but with a different button. In a way this dual branding gifts the player two different versions of the two included tables. Allowing said players to experience in a more historically accurate way or in the Zen Studios way.

With the 'Universal Monsters Set' you will be getting two distinctly different table experiences in the form of 'Monster Bash', and 'The Creature From The Black Lagoon'. Each with their own point values, and gameplay approach. With 'Monster Bash' you get a Halloween themed table decorated with classic Universal Studios movie monster art. All of which is painted in a simple neon palette fitting of the Halloween season. Along with the rather busy table design that is fitted with simplified table explanations, monster names, and the Monster Bash theme that is centered around a made up Monsters of Rock, rock band you'll find moving characters that each coincide with table events. Frankenstein gets a sort of body part creation event in which his model will be stood up from the table he's rested on after you have hit the targets at his feet enough times. Ultimately turning him into a high scoring target himself. Something similar goes for Dracula whose model slides in a curved manner out from behind a right side coffin. He too will become a point target, but a moving one. The Mummy at the back of the table acts as a score multiplier, and will award you handsomely for hitting jets, and other specific targets of interest as well.

Along with Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Mummy comes models of Dr. Frankenstein, Igor, and the electrode inclusive device used to zap life into Frankenstein. The Bride of Frankenstein also has a model positioned at the back of the table. Her event seems to come to life in the Dot Matrix animation display though. Same goes for the Wolfman. The Wolfman in particular has targets or lanes that must be hit to go through the cycles of the moon until it reaches a full moon upon which the event will be activated. There's even a multi-ball event tied to one of the monsters that will bank you major points assuming you can keep them up. One last table detail I noticed comes in the form of a sort of side pocket or lane where a hologram of the Muck Man resides. Hitting it will animate the Muck Man if you land the ball there.

As far as facts go the original 'Monster Bash' table was a July 1998 release designed by George Gomez. It sold over three thousand units. The table recreation in Pinball FX 3 for the PS4 takes on a new life in the form of a table positioned in a period style theater or dining area, and comes complete with a Monster Bash table theme song that plays out as you play on the table. When it comes to ease of access or playability this particular table is one that takes patience, and getting used to. Hitting the ramps isn't so easily done, and more often than not you'll find the pinball returning to the flipper after bouncing off of table boundaries, and targets positioned in front of the odd grouping of curved lanes located at the top of the playing field. It should be noted that getting the skill shot is fairly easy on the 'Monster Bash' table, and that it requires launching the ball into the last mini-lane to the left at the top of the bouncers towards the back of the playing field. Each time skill shot is hit the point total awarded goes up. Making it worthwhile to bank that initial launch, and the following launches after lost balls.

The Creature From The Black Lagoon ...

Hailing from December of 1992 the John Trudeau made table that is "The Creature From The Black Lagoon" comes complete with some original design choices that are, themselves, quite interesting. The main hero of the original 1954 film that the table paid tribute to was actually modeled after John's son. Not only that, but this table was actually going to be designed with a hologram as a part of the artistic display. Curiously enough John also created this table as an homage to the Drive-In move scene. Incorporating events tied to the concession stand refreshments, and various things that go on at a Drive-In movie. Things like kissing the girlfriend, and naughty drivers in vans parking in front of everyone's view. Overall the table art direction is a mixture of both the Creature From The Black Lagoon film, and said Drive-In scene. Masterfully blended in such a way as to maintain a complimentary theme, overall. Also to note is the fact that the original creator sold nearly 8,000 units in total.

The Presentation ..

Dead center of the table resides a makeshift lake where the hologram of the creature will swim about or pop out of unrealistically and look around in Zen Studios fashion if you have the CIRCLE table filter set to said option. Around the holographic lake the creature, and the damsel in distress hold hands in art that once again keeps a simple Universal Studios Halloween theme in mind. A sort of pop-culture movie poster style art that fits in with the table's tribute design. An art element that is repeated in a true to period fashion along with a more 50's movie aesthetic on the table's back board. As far as gameplay goes the gameplay on this table is actually oddly difficult in that the speed at which the ball returns to the main flippers is fast enough for players without quick reflexes to miss the returning pinball. This challenging pace is offset by high point values that are easily earned through easily accessible targets, and lanes/ramps. In comparison to the Monster Bash table it is more difficult though in that the high score trade off comes at a high cost with a faster paced ball. It will definitely demand some patience, and some stop and go with the flippers.

The Verdict ...

Collectively the 'Universal Monster Set' is a decent buy for the price. The tables are interesting enough in design, and being able to play two different versions of each is a plus. Those looking for some challenging tables will find them here as well. I'd say they range from middle difficulty to hard in that order. I did like the fact that historical facts were added in to help players better understand the tables' histories. It's like a living archive of playable tables that are hard to get in real life, and for what you pay I think it hits close enough to the real deal to be noteworthy as a proper pinball tribute. All while staying true to the Zen Studios quality, and arcade designs.