There is simply no escaping the Star Wars mania that is sweeping up everything and everyone in its path with the release and huge success of Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens. Thankfully for those who are Gamers and Star Wars fans, this means some terrific content to sink our teeth into. I have been very fortunate to be able to have a first look at the new ‘Star Wars Pinball The Force Awakens’ Pack for Zen Pinball 2.
This pack features two amazing Pinball tables themed on The Force Awakens film and both are immense fun and full of the spirit and magic of Star Wars, following on from the tables based on the original Star Wars saga. I will take a look at both tables and share my thoughts on each:
Table 1 ‘Might of the First Order’
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5eu0yYk738&sns=tw]
The first table I tried is the Dark Side focused ‘Might of the First Order’, and uses the menacing tone of the bad guy side in ‘The Force Awakens’. Visually this table is just bursting with Star Wars visuals and sound effects that instantly put you in the Star Wars universe. As the Imperial background music from the original saga films envelopes all the action as soon as the table appears on screen.
I took a good few moments to just look over the details of the table as new Star Wars character Captain Phasma oversees all the action as you play with the voice of Kylo Ten issuing orders as you play. It all blends together to create a marvellous Star Wars Atmosphere.
At first I found this table to be very tricky to pick up where the high scoring score combos were to start with learning which loops to hit and combo triggers to land, but a couple of tries it all started to come together. The surprise came as a secondary secret table within the main table was activated with a tricky mini game to guide another ball to the scoring point. The table has many combo strings based on scenes from The Force Awakens, non spoiler but are enhanced if you have seen the film.
I really loved this first table as it offers a great challenge and fun experience.
Table 2 ‘The Force Awakens’ Table
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfMR7dGtbWU&sns=tw]
This table is very much on the Light Side of the Force as it takes on the spirit of the good guys using the desert planet setting of Jakku and focusing on new Star Wars characters Rey and super cute droid BB-8. The music from the Rebel Alliance original saga music is a big contrast to the Imperial anthem played with ‘Might of the First Order’ table above. Visually it is a much brighter and bigger table to play on with much easier to see loops and combo triggers allowing for more strategy in how to play.
Just as the other table, hitting the correct number of loops or triggers will activate scenes for bonus scoring such as helping Rey scavenge for scraps or for me the best moment in the whole pack with the BB-8 mini game where you use the flipper controls to help guide him away from being caught in nets. The table features 50 scenes which all require a set combination to activate to score bonus points.
This proved to be my favourite of the two tables as it just put me back in the mood I felt as I watched the film itself. It was satisfying to grab a high score but also, as with ‘Might of the First Order’ table, made me want to learn more about how the table played to unlock more scenes to attain an even higher score.
I love Pinball games and Zen Pinball 2 is the best to experience it on. Star Wars Pinball The Force Awakens pack is incredible fun and a must for any Pinball fan and especially for Star Wars fans. It captures the spirit of Star Wars and The Force Awakens brilliantly but also works hard to provide a challenging gameplay experience that is rewarding as it is satisfying. A great content pack for any Star Wars fans and a great use of the source material.
The Force is strong with this content pack, whether you are in the Light or tempted to the Darkside of the tables!
