 |
If you pick well (episode V or VI), you'll win friends in the old guard of science-fiction fans. Choose poorly (episode I or II), and you'll incite these same fans into paroxysms of rage and general discontent.
Zen Studios has clearly tried to strike a balance between new and old fans of Star Wars with its latest trio of tables for Zen Pinball.
If Angry Birds Star Wars wasn't enough to tickle your mobile midi-chlorians, then these three tables should light up your saber.
That's no moon…
The three Star Wars tables on offer are Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Boba Fett.
Each costs the same ($1.99 / £1.49) and delivers the expected amount of glitz and movie dialogue that fans have come to expect from Zen Pinball. Furthermore, each table also plays differently from the others - so there's good reason to add all three to your collection.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a linear progression-style table that takes you through the plot of the movie from Hoth to Bespin with dialogue, animations, and effects to help flesh out the journey. The table is busy but gorgeous with Cloud City being especially well-rendered.
As you progress through the chapters of Episode V, the table is kind enough to set up check points for you so that when your ball eventually drains you'll be able to pick up where you left off.
It's a trap!
If the Episode V table was a bit busy, then the Star Wars: The Clone Warstable is an all-out assault on your eyes.
The background art - which faithfully captures the art-style of the animated series - depicts Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano all with lightsabers out in a flurry of hero poses. The effect is quite nice, and the backdrop would make for a nice poster, but it's difficult to follow a ball on.
Thankfully The Clone Wars is more of an open table with less concern paid to careful mission progression, so the distraction from the artwork isn't too damning.
Boba Fett is less cluttered, and it boasts a contract-based mission system similar to Episode V (or Marvel Civil War). After spelling out 'EMPIRE' or 'HUTTS' by hitting the right letters, you'll be able to take a mission for each side to earn a higher score and unlock more targets on the table.
One in a million
Zen Studios has succeeded in delivering three quality pinball tables, each with its own distinct look, feel, and playing style.
The visuals may discourage pinball purists, but they'll be an absolute treat to anyone who's ever dreamed of jogging through the dreary swamps of dagoba with a muppet strapped to his back.
And let's be honest, who here hasn't?
0 comments:
Post a Comment