Normally, I play first-person shooter games. But sometimes, it’s nice to play a laid-back arcade game. Pinball FX2 is one such game. Developed by Zen Studios and originally made for the Xbox 360, Pinball FX2 has been upgraded to the Xbox One. While the upgrades give it the full next generation treatment, it fails to capture my undivided attention for longer than three tilts.
Pinball FX2 looks and feels like an actual pinball machine. To move each paddle, press the left and right triggers respectively. Using the left stick, you can nudge the table, but careful, it will tilt.
While the shoots and sounds give that nostalgic feeling, the in-table character movement provides the modern feel. For example, on the Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 table, Ryu Hayabusa will make slashing moves animated on the table with each score.
Pinball FX2 is a free download from Xbox Live Marketplace. But like most free games, add-ons will cost. To have a variety of tables, you will have to pay. Extra tables, like Sigma 2, will cost $2.49 and up. Table prices vary depending on the cast of characters: Marvel, South Park, Star Wars, and Guardians of the Galaxy. But even the Sigma 2 table’s novelty wore off quickly.
Overall, the repetitious nature of the game overshadowed its entertainment value. After thirty minutes, I was ready to quit and move onto something else. The authenticity and superb graphics are impressive, but it just doesn’t contain enough magic for this pinball wizard.
