Review: Pinball FX 2 + Core Collection

Developer: Zen Studios
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

Pinball FX 2 is the latest release from Zen Studios, a developer that has been well known for producing quality pinball games on downloadable platforms. This game is certainly no exception to that rule.

This latest game is a bit different than most Xbox Live Arcade titles as it is a free downloadable shell that facilitates players to download new tables a la carte either through paid downloads or through demo versions of each cabinet. Several of them are already available with more planned to be released shortly. This sequel also allows you to import every table from the original. as well as every downloadable table you have already purchased. As far as I can tell, the scores you have in the original game are also carried over. That means if you are already a owner of the first game and any of the DLC, you have a great start on this version of the game.

As a platform, Pinball FX 2 has some great community features that will keep players motivated to reach that next high score challenge. There are several categories of leaderboard for every table, and Zen has set it up so that you see your next leaderboard opponent while you're playing. You always know who you have to beat and how many points you need to beat them. There's no pausing or leaderboard look up required. There are also separate overall scoring systems known as Superscore and Wizard Score. Superscore takes your score for every table and converts it to a smaller number based on how many millions of points you have, and Wizard Score takes that number, multiplies it based on how many tables you have played and also adds your friends Superscores. It seems like a pretty cool system and I'm interested to see how it pans out as more and more tables are released.

Multiplayer modes in Pinball FX 2 are very strong as well. The game features four player multiplayer, online or offline. Same console play utilizes either split screen or a pass the controller modes. During online play, you only see your table as well as your opponents' avatars or, if they have one, their Xbox Live Vision camera feeds. Play is set up as a race to a certain score in the millions and the host can set both the score limit and the percentage penalty that you lose for losing a ball. The only problem I've had with this set up is that if all players keep losing balls, then the game can go on forever. In fact, in one game I played, everyone quit before the goal was even halfway met. This could have been greatly alleviated by having no score penalty for losing a ball.

In terms of presentation, the game just looks great. The tables are colorful and is filled with great visual flourishes. The interface, as well, is very clean and attractive. Pinball FX 2 includes a newly updated physics model over the original, and the developer has also added new optional visual effects to both the ball and play fields. There are a load of extra features for the new tables, as well. the player has access to operator modes for both the tables and dot matrix displays. Pinball FX 2 is just a great looking and fully featured package all around, and a great visual upgrade over the original.

Along with the platform, Zen has also released the Pinball FX 2 core collection (800 MS points/$10). This is a pack of four brand new tables built specifically for the new game. There is some nice variety in these tables, and they all feature plenty of great 2D and 3D art. Pasha is a Persian themed table complete with a genie, Bazaar, and magic lamp. Another one, Rome, is based on the Roman Empire and has you defending the city against attacks. BioLab is a mad scientist's genetic laboratory and the player is tasked with creating and upgrading a monster. Last but not least is the Secrets of the Deep table that features an underwater theme with submarines, deep sea mines, hull breaches, and angler fish. The set is a great addition to the game and I've had a lot of fun playing all four of them.

Pinball FX 2 is just flat out a great pinball game. It has all the bells and whistles that a pinball fan would want, with great community features and multiplayer as well. It also had this nice affordable delivery platform in place for new content, and they were very considerate of their original customers who bought the first game and DLC. As both a pinball game and downloadable platform go, it just has everything going for it. Zen has always had great dedication to their pinball games and this game really shows that they love the genre. I strongly urge both long time fans of pinball and new players check out this awesome package.