'Pinball FX2: Plants vs. Zombies'
Zen Studios
XBLA & PSN download
$3 for table, Pinball FX2 is free
ESRB rating: Everyone
Review rating: 3.0 stars
When a friend first suggested that I give "Pinball FX2" a try, I thought, "how much fun can a virtual pinball game be?" Who knew that the answer is "more fun than you can imagine!"? So far, this top-notch pinball game offers surreal tables that run the gambit from fantasy realms to Marvel superheroes, and the latest table to sprout from the developers is "Plants vs Zombies."
Based on the uber-popular casual strategy game, this crossover table lets players defend their front lawn by collecting sundrops and slaying zombies with cyber-balls instead of buttons. Although it successfully blends the two genres and offers familiar "PvZ" game play, the overall experience is entirely too easy thanks to multiple kickbacks, frequent multiballs and plenty of extra balls!
This became evident when my first game lasted more than thirty minutes and my score was 75 million. Hell, there are some "Pinball FX2" tables on which I have never achieved that high of a score, even after dozens of playthroughs! I understand the desire to offer a more forgiving experience. However, just like the zombies in the game, players would have to be brain dead to enjoy playing the same table for forty minutes or more every time! It also makes multiplayer games last way too long.
On the other petal ... err ... hand, I really enjoy the authentic look of the game as well as the wide variety of ways I can cleanse my lawn of the undead. It's also really cool to time multiball during challenges, because three balls are much better than one for slaying waves of hungry zombies! Also, make sure you buy items from good ol' Crazy Dave, because they can dramatically affect your score.
"Pinball FX2: Plants vs. Zombies" is fun for a while, but the lasting appeal is killed by the lack of challenge.
'Transformers: Fall of Cybertron'Activision
Sony PlayStation 3 (Xbox 360, PC)
$59.99
ESRB rating: Teen
Review rating: 4.0 stars
No one can deny that Michael Bay's films have reintroduced "The Transformers" franchise to a modern audience, but it seems ironic that the only popular "Transformers" video games have absolutely nothing to do with him. High Moon Studios surprised fans by returning to the source material with "Transformers: War for Cybertron " a few years ago, and their recent sequel is even better!
"Transformers: Fall of Cybertron" will test both the mettle and skills of players by throwing them into the middle of a war between the Autobots and Decepticons! When the outcome looks bleak for the Autobots, Optimus Prime devises a high-octane plan for them to escape Cybertron on a gigantic ship called, not surprisingly, the Ark. The only thing standing between the Autobots and freedom is mega-douchebag Megatron and his mindless crew.
Players assume the roles of several Transformers from each side in the story mode that spans over a dozen chapters. Instead of letting players decide which towering robot to play on each level, the choice is already made. Although this limits the game play variety, it also lets the developers tailor each level around that particular Transformer's special skills. For example, Jazz can use his handy grappling hook to zip to high ledges and platforms, while Cliffjumper uses his cloaking ability to sneak around unnoticed.
Players will surely appreciate the variety in game play that "Transformers: Fall of Cyberton" offers, because the standard run-and-gun shooting is also run-of-the-mill. I don't understand why both teammates and enemies can take cover, but the player can't. It also seems like the mighty Transformers can be taken out pretty easily by small groups of generic robots. Fortunately, the robust online multiplayer mode makes up for most of the shortcomings found in the single player mode.
'Pinball FX2: Plants vs. Zombies'
Zen Studios
XBLA & PSN download
$3 for table, Pinball FX2 is free
ESRB rating: Everyone
Review rating: 3.0 stars
When a friend first suggested that I give "Pinball FX2" a try, I thought, "how much fun can a virtual pinball game be?" Who knew that the answer is "more fun than you can imagine!"? So far, this top-notch pinball game offers surreal tables that run the gambit from fantasy realms to Marvel superheroes, and the latest table to sprout from the developers is "Plants vs Zombies."
Based on the uber-popular casual strategy game, this crossover table lets players defend their front lawn by collecting sundrops and slaying zombies with cyber-balls instead of buttons. Although it successfully blends the two genres and offers familiar "PvZ" game play, the overall experience is entirely too easy thanks to multiple kickbacks, frequent multiballs and plenty of extra balls!
This became evident when my first game lasted more than thirty minutes and my score was 75 million. Hell, there are some "Pinball FX2" tables on which I have never achieved that high of a score, even after dozens of playthroughs! I understand the desire to offer a more forgiving experience. However, just like the zombies in the game, players would have to be brain dead to enjoy playing the same table for forty minutes or more every time! It also makes multiplayer games last way too long.
On the other petal ... err ... hand, I really enjoy the authentic look of the game as well as the wide variety of ways I can cleanse my lawn of the undead. It's also really cool to time multiball during challenges, because three balls are much better than one for slaying waves of hungry zombies! Also, make sure you buy items from good ol' Crazy Dave, because they can dramatically affect your score.
"Pinball FX2: Plants vs. Zombies" is fun for a while, but the lasting appeal is killed by the lack of challenge.
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