Pinball FX 2
Pinball FX 2 | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Zen Studios |
Publisher(s) | Microsoft Studios |
Platform(s) | Xbox 360 (XBLA), Microsoft Windows, Xbox One |
Release |
|
Genre(s) | Pinball |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Pinball FX 2 (stylized as Pinball FX2) is a
Gameplay
Pinball FX 2 uses the same basic rules as a physical pinball machine, but in a virtual environment. As with a traditional pinball machine, the player fires a steel ball onto the playfield using a plunger. Once the ball is in play the player controls the flippers and can nudge the machine to influence the path of the ball.[4] Each of the game's tables become more complex as the game advances, opening new paths and opportunities.[4]
The game allows use of the
Tables
Pinball FX 2 is available free of charge and includes tables that can be played with a set time limit (Xbox and Steam) or fully with video advertisements (Windows 8 and Windows 10). Players can choose to download an expansion pack dubbed Pinball FX 2 Core which unlocks four tables: BioLab,
Table | Pack | Collection | X360 | X1 | Win 8 | Steam |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Secrets of the Deep | Pinball FX 2 Core | Zen Studios | ||||
Biolab | Pinball FX 2 Core | Zen Studios | ||||
Pasha | Pinball FX 2 Core | Zen Studios | ||||
Rome | Pinball FX 2 Core | Zen Studios | ||||
Speed Machine | Pinball FX Classicsfx1 | Zen Studios | [19] | |||
Extreme | Pinball FX Classicsfx1 | Zen Studios | [19] | |||
Agents | Pinball FX Classicsfx1 | Zen Studios | [19] | |||
Buccaneer | Pinball FX Classicsfx1 | Zen Studios | [19] | |||
Nightmare Mansion | N/Afx1 | Zen Studios | [19] | |||
Rocky and Bullwinkle
|
N/Afx1 | Zen Studiosip | [19] | |||
Street Fighter II′ Turbo Tribute
|
N/Afx1,zp1 | Zen Studiosip | ||||
Earth Defense | N/Afx1,zp1 | Zen Studios | ||||
Excalibur | N/Afx1,zp1 | Zen Studios | ||||
Mars | N/Azp1 | Zen Studios | fi | |||
Sorcerer's Lair | N/Azp1 | Zen Studios | fp | |||
Paranormal | N/Azp1 | Zen Studios | ft | |||
Epic Quest | N/Azp1 | Zen Studios | ||||
Ms. Splosion Man | N/A | Zen Studiosip | [19] | |||
Plants vs. Zombies | N/Azp2 | Zen Studiosip | ||||
Shaman | Zen Classicszp1 | Zen Studios | ||||
Tesla | Zen Classicszp1 | Zen Studios | ||||
El Dorado | Zen Classicszp1 | Zen Studios | ||||
V12 | Zen Classicszp1 | Zen Studios | ||||
Super League Football | N/Aslf,zp2 | Zen Studiosip | ||||
The Walking Dead | N/Azp2 | Zen Studiosip | ||||
South Park: Super Sweet Pinball | South Park Pinballzp2 | Zen Studiosip | ||||
South Park: Butters' Very Own Pinball | South Park Pinballzp2 | Zen Studiosip | ||||
CastleStorm | Iron & Steel | Zen Studios | ||||
Wild West Rampage | Iron & Steel | Zen Studios | ||||
Portal
|
N/A | Zen Studiosip | ||||
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 | N/Azp1 | Zen Studiosip | ||||
Wolverine | Marvel Pinball Original | Marvel Pinball | it | |||
Spider-Man | Marvel Pinball Original | Marvel Pinball | it | |||
Iron Man | Marvel Pinball Original | Marvel Pinball | it | |||
Blade
|
Marvel Pinball Original | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Captain America | N/A | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Fantastic Four | N/A | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Venom
|
N/A | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Thor | Vengeance and Virtue | Marvel Pinball | it | |||
Ghost Rider | Vengeance and Virtue | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Moon Knight | Vengeance and Virtue | Marvel Pinball | ||||
X-Men | Vengeance and Virtue | Marvel Pinball | ||||
The Avengers | Avengers Chronicles | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Fear Itself | Avengers Chronicles | Marvel Pinball | ||||
The Infinity Gauntlet | Avengers Chronicles | Marvel Pinball | ||||
World War Hulk | Avengers Chronicles | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Civil War | N/A | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Doctor Strange | N/A | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Deadpool | N/A | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Guardians of the Galaxy | N/A | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron | N/A | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Ant-Man | N/A | Marvel Pinball | ||||
A-Force | Marvel's Women of Power | Marvel Pinball | ||||
Champions | Marvel's Women of Power | Marvel Pinball | ||||
The Empire Strikes Back | Star Wars Pack | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Boba Fett | Star Wars Pack | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Star Wars Pack | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Return of the Jedi | Balance of the Force | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Darth Vader | Balance of the Force | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Star Wars: Starfighter Assault | Balance of the Force | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
A New Hope | Heroes Within | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Han Solo | Heroes Within | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Star Wars: Droids | Heroes Within | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Star Wars: Masters of the Force | Heroes Within | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Star Wars: Rebels | N/A | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Star Wars: The Force Awakens | The Force Awakens | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Might of The First Order | The Force Awakens | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Rogue One | N/A | Star Wars Pinball | ||||
Family Guy | Balls of Glory | Fox Pinball | ||||
Bob's Burgers | Balls of Glory | Fox Pinball | ||||
American Dad! | Balls of Glory | Fox Pinball | ||||
Archer | Balls of Glory | Fox Pinball | ||||
Aliens | Aliens vs. Pinball | Fox Pinball | ||||
Alien: Isolation | Aliens vs. Pinball | Fox Pinball | ||||
Alien vs. Predator | Aliens vs. Pinball | Fox Pinball | ||||
DOOM | Bethesda Pinball | Bethesda Pinball | ||||
Fallout | Bethesda Pinball | Bethesda Pinball | ||||
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Bethesda Pinball | Bethesda Pinball |
^fx1 Table originally from Pinball FX
^zp1 Table originally from or was also released on Zen Pinball
^zp2 Table also released for Zen Pinball 2
^ft Full table was temporarily free to download
^fi Full table was included for free on the initial Windows 8 version
^fp Full table is included for free
^ip Non-Disney-owned IP(s) licensed to Zen Studios
^it Table was released individually on this platform
Development and marketing
Pinball FX 2's existence was first leaked to the public via the Australian Classification Board website on August 11, 2010.[20] It was officially announced on August 31, 2010.[21] The game was originally slated for release on October 13, 2010, however last minute delays pushed the game back two weeks.[22] It was released for the Xbox 360 via the Xbox Live Arcade Marketplace on October 27, 2010, as part of Microsoft's Game Feast promotion.[23] The development team consisted of roughly 15 individuals, and development lasted 18 months.[24]
Zen Studios
The developers stated that they listened to fan responses from the first game and implemented those ideas into the sequel. "We have been listening to our fans and building the pinball game that they envisioned," stated Kigyossy. "It took a little longer than expected, but we have designed a game that unifies the online community, and takes all the social features to the next level."
A port of Pinball FX 2 to Xbox One was announced in March 2014.[28] In July 2014, Zen Studios set a launch date for July 31, 2014 and further announced that the front-end would be free to download and include Sorcerer's Lair, with the game running in 1080p and at 60 frames per second.[29] The announcement also noted that owners of the Xbox 360 edition of the game would have to repurchase Xbox One versions of tables they already owned on Xbox 360.[29] Later that month, however, Zen Studios announced a delay of the release of Pinball FX 2 into August 2014, but added the delay was necessary in order to update the game to permit players to transfer their tables from Xbox 360 to Xbox One at no additional charge.[30] On August 14, 2014, Zen Studios announced that Pinball FX 2 was officially available for Xbox One, including the ability to import tables from the Xbox 360 version.[31] In October 2014, the Windows 8 version of the game was updated with a new pane-based UI and the ability to play all available tables in the game for free with video advertisements playing before each game.[32][note 2] The option to buy full tables were maintained, as buying full tables in the new Windows 8 version removes the adverts and allows access to the tables' operator's menu feature.[32] However, the update was plagued with issues, including some of the tables being (initially) removed post-update and problems of restoring the full ad-free versions of tables if they were purchased pre-update, including the restoration of the then-fully free Mars table.[32]
Pinball FX2 VR, a version of the game that supports virtual reality headset the Oculus Rift, was released on March 28, 2016. The VR-enabled version would initially include three tables (Mars, Secrets of the Deep, and Epic Quest), placing these tables in a virtual beach-side house.[33]
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
GameRankings | 86.13%[34] |
Metacritic | 88/100[35] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Eurogamer | 9/10[36] |
Game Informer | 9/10[37] |
GameSpot | 8.5/10[38] |
Official Xbox Magazine (US) | 8.5/10[39] |
TeamXbox | 9.3/10 |
Pinball FX 2 received positive reviews from critics. On the aggregate sites
Critics praised the game's ability to play updated versions of the tables previously available for Pinball FX. Andrew Reiner of Game Informer expressed satisfaction with the functionality, indicating that the new social scoring mechanics provided incentive to play the tables again in the new engine.[37] Eurogamer's Kristan Reed noted that all of the tables from both games are available for demo play.[36] Several reviewers also praised the upgraded physics, feeling that they were lifelike.[5][44] Richard Basset of TeamXbox noted that the game's graphics were a vast improvement, noting that tables from Pinball FX also received visual upgrades.[45] Table design itself was also given high marks, with Reed calling them "excellent".[36] GameSpot's Justin Calvert noted the wide variety of tables, but expressed frustration regarding the purchasing of new tables. "It's unfortunate that not all of the tables are available to buy individually" stated Calvert, adding "you have to buy at least one of the four-packs before you have the option to play any of the singles."[38]
The game's updated multiplayer and other new features also received high marks. TeamXbox's Richard Basset praised the addition of split-screen multiplayer, as did GameSpot's Justin Calvert.[38][45] Calvert also noted the addition of four player, turn-based local multiplayer was a welcome addition.[38] Kristan Reed of Eurogamer noted the new ability to adjust settings on the tables, allowing for enthusiasts to tweak the game to their liking. He also lauded the new social features, calling them the "real genius" of the game.[36] Some reviewers mentioned that while the online multiplayer was impressive they had difficulty finding games to join.[44]
Sequel
A sequel, Pinball FX 3, was released in 2017, which is also the sequel to the non-Microsoft parallel installment, Zen Pinball 2.
See also
Notes
References
- ^ a b "Pinball FX2". Valve.
- ^ a b Mallory, Jordan (October 27, 2012). "Pinball FX 2 ricochets onto Windows 8". Joystiq. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- ^ "Pinball FX2, Carcassonne, and more Xbox Live games coming to Windows Phone". 22 February 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ a b c Zen Studios (2008-10-27). Pinball FX 2. Microsoft Studios.
- ^ a b c d James, B. (2010-11-03). "Pinball FX 2 review". GameZone. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
- ^ McElroy, Justin (2010-09-24). "BioLab table revealed for Pinball FX 2". Joystiq. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ a b c Chester, Nick (2010-10-30). "Review: Pinball FX 2". Destructoid. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ Fahey, Mike (2010-09-15). "Pinball FX 2's Rome Table Likely Not Built In A Day". Kotaku. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ "Taking Care of Business: Pinball FX 2 Pricing Explained & Secrets of the Deep Revealed". mcvuk.com. 2010-09-29. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
- ^ Fahey, Mike (2010-11-15). "Marvel Pinball: From Comics Page To Silver Ball". Kotaku. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
- ^ White, Michele (2010-09-22). "Pinball FX 2 questions answered". Adrenaline Vault. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
- Gamasutra. 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
- xbox.com. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
- ^ Good, Owen (2011-08-24). "Ms. 'Splosion Man Crosses Over With Pinball FX 2 Next Week". Kotaku. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
- ^ Swilinski, Alexander (2011-10-19). "Pinball FX2 offers free 'Paranormal' table starting next Wednesday". Joystiq. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
- ^ Barsanti, Sam (2012-08-31). "Plants vs. Zombies shambling to Zen Pinball 2 and Pinball FX2 next week". VentureBeat. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
- ^ Sliwinski, Alexander (2012-12-10). "'Zen Classics' DLC flippers over to XBLA's Pinball FX2 this Wednesday". Joystiq. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
- ^ Teuscher, Zac (4 December 2014). "Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 table released for Pinball FX2 on Xbox One". XBLA Fans. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Pinball FX2 on Xbox One FAQ". zenstudios.com. Zen Studios. 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2014-11-04.
- ^ Nelson, Randy (2010-08-11). "Pinball FX 2 exposed by Australian ratings office". Joystiq. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ a b c d Fahey, Mike (2010-08-31). "Pinball FX 2 Is Xbox Live's Pinball Platform". Kotaku. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ McElroy, Griffin (2010-10-12). "Pinball FX 2 delayed, still part of XBLA's Game Feast". Joystiq. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ Alexander, Leigh (2010-09-02). "Super Meat Boy 'Main Course' For New Game Feast Fall XBLA Promo". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
- ^ "Pinball FX 2 Developer Interview". xblaratings.com. 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ a b c d e "Designing in unconventional ways - an interview with ZEN Studios". gamesworld.blox.pl. 2011-02-03. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
We already know that new tables for Marvel Pinball will be available, such as the Captain America table.
- ^ "Mars table live now for Pinball FX2". Gamers Hell. April 21, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
- ^ Falcon, Jonah (2012-02-29). "Pinball FX 2 a free download for Windows 8 Consumer Preview". Strategy Informer. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
- ^ Matt Liebl (March 17, 2014). "Pinball FX2 also announced for Xbox One". gamezone.com. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- ^ a b Evan Campbell (July 16, 2014). "Pinball FX 2 Heading to Xbox One This Month". ign.com. Ziff-Davis. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- ^ Evan Campbell (July 30, 2014). "Pinball FX 2 Tables Will Transfer to Xbox One After All". ign.com. Ziff-Davis. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- ^ Jonas Allen (August 14, 2014). "Pinball FX2 Xbox One Now Live After Delay". dailygame.net. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Windows 8 update". Zen Studios forums. 24 June 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (March 10, 2016). "Pinball FX2 VR is coming to Oculus Rift this month". Eurogamer. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ a b "Pinball FX 2 for Xbox 360 - GameRankings". GameRankings. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ a b "Pinball FX 2 for Xbox 360 Reviews, Ratings, Credits and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ a b c d Reed, Kristan (2010-10-29). "Download Games Roundup". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ a b Reiner, Andrew (2010-11-01). "Pinball FX 2". Game Informer. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ a b c d Calvert, Justin (2010-11-04). "Pinball FX 2 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ "Official Xbox Magazine" (Nov 2010)
- ^ "Pinball FX 2 Reviews and Articles for Xbox 360 - GameRankings". GameRankings. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
- ^ "Pinball FX 2 Critic Reviews for Xbox 360 at metacritic.com". Metacritic. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
- ^ Langley, Ryan (2010-11-23). "In-Depth: Xbox Live Arcade Sales Analysis, October 2010". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
- ^ Langley, Ryan (2011-01-28). "XBLA: In-Depth: Xbox Live Arcade Sales Analysis For All Of 2010". Gamerbytes. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
- ^ GamesRadar. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
- ^ a b Bassett, Richard (2010-10-29). "Pinball FX 2 Review (Xbox 360)". TeamXbox. Retrieved 2010-11-29.