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Review: Pinball FX2’s “Aliens vs Pinball” DLC

That new car smell is one of those things you have to experience to really appreciate. While I can’t get a new car every couple of month, Zen Studios does a good job of giving me that new car feeling with its steady release of new pinball tables. I was a little surprised that Zen tapped the Alien franchise for their latest table pack, but let’s be honest: more pinball is never a bad thing. Since a big part of the Alien franchise is atmospheric, I was curious to see if a pinball table could convey that sense of dread mixed with anticipation.

The first table I played was “Alien Isolation”. Even before I started I was somewhat surprised by how open the middle of this table is. The majority of the most recent tables the middle of the playfield has be chalk full of ramps, sink hole, mission objectives and what have you. This one almost seems barren. In fact ramps and lanes are not as plentiful as other tables. You still have the outer lanes, but there are only three additional ramps tucked into the top of the table. At first glance it would appear to make it easier to get into a groove, but in my time with the table that wasn’t the case. It was actually somewhat challenging to get into a rhythm, and I’m not really sure why that is to be honest.

There is an overall sense of tension in the table. You need to be aware of how much health and ammo you have as indicated in the two gauges to the lower right between the right bottom flipper and the plunger. At the top of the playfield there is a catwalk where an alien will saunter across. You have to hit a couple shots in order to stay hidden or you will be attacked.

Mission-wise, that’s the strong point of this table. There are a ton of things to do. From doing stealth attacks, hiding from the alien, gathering supplies the list goes on and on.  If you played the game this table is based on you will really appreciate the attention to detail that they were able to fit in. With that said, and this seems to be a common nitpicking issue I have with many of the tables the dialogue is repeated often to the point where after playing the table a handful of times you’re pretty sure you’ve heard every line. For me, this is the weakest table of the three.

Alien vs Pinball 2

The next table is “Aliens vs Predator”, based off the movie sharing the same name. As with any table I like to take a look at the fly-through before I start and in doing so I was initially concerned that the ramps at the top were going to be too busy and distracting during multi-balls or hurry up modes. Mostly because they aren’t traditional ramps wherein you shoot the left ramp and the ball comes out on the right side of the table. These ramps loops back on themselves so they are same side returns. I got used to it eventually but the first few times were a definite learning curve. Aside from that the layout follows a more traditional feel which sets up a decent flow and ability to chain combos and rack up the points.

Mission-wise, this table has that in spades. From flipping the table upside down to repel an attack of aliens crawling across the ceiling to seeing the entire table through thermal vision to be able to pick out your targets, destroying as many alien eggs as you can during a multi-ball mode, all the way to aligning pieces of a pyramid to match a pattern, the variety on this table is amazing. Just when you think you’ve seen it all passage ways start to open and you realize that you haven’t even everything yet.

Aside from a couple missions, this table missed the tension and overall atmosphere that you expect with something touting the Alien franchise name. The dialogue, what can I say that I haven’t said before. Lines like, “It looks like he’s trying to hit those targets.” Pinball players don’t need that kind of hand holding to tell us where to shoot. Give me a flashing light and I’ll hit it. Plus forced dialogue can ruin the moment, but let’s be honest if I am only complaining about dialogue then it’s not that bad of a table.

From a solid table layout to a variety of well-designed missions this table was a big surprise for me. A nice benefit to newer players is when you start a mission if you fail it most missions give you a chance to hit a lit lane to restart it or add more time. It’s a nice touch that makes things a little easier for players who tend to panic when they see a countdown timer.

Alien vs Pinball 3

Which brings us to the third and final table fittingly titled “Aliens”, based off the second movie in the franchise. When I say based off of what I really mean is great representation of everything that the movie was. Missions are ripped right from the movie as are iconic lines. The table starts off with Ripley saying “Just tell me one thing Burke. You’re going out there to destroy them right? Not to study. Not to bring back. But to wipe them out.” You can’t get much more iconic than that.

Table layout is pretty simple, there is nothing you haven’t seen before – but that’s not a bad thing. There is an almost old school feel to the flow of the table. There are no real gimmicks or tricks, the table simply doesn’t need them. Sure there are mission, frenzy modes and multi-balls but the table’s appeal is its simplicity. It’s very much geared towards being friendly to new players. You don’t even have to complete missions to advance; you just have to start them. Sure finishing them will net you more points but you don’t have to stress if you miss a shot or two.

Where this table shines though is in its ambiance, tension and, most importantly, it stays true to the movie. The big set pieces from the movie are all here. Things like finding Newt, barricading the tunnels, using a flamethrower to repel a horde of aliens even fighting the Queen. If I was pressed to say why this table works I’m not really sure I could pinpoint exactly what it is. It blends everything together perfectly and the trip down memory lane makes it even more special. The icing on the cake though is when you drain the last ball and you hear a line ripped right from the movie – Bill Paxton as Hudson saying, “That’s it man. Game over, man. Game over.”

Over all this is a solid table pack. There is a lot of nostalgia here for Alien fans. Zen Studios does the source material justice for sure. None of the tables are overly difficult so new players shouldn’t be put off by a table being too hard. While none of these tables will probably crack my top 10, the “Aliens” table will be one I frequently go back to. This table pack offers a great entry into pinball for those who are curious but there is enough challenge here for the more experienced players as well.

Pinball FX2‘s “Aliens vs Pinball” table pack was reviewed using a promotional code on the Xbox One, as provided by the publisher.

 

Review: Pinball FX2’s “Aliens vs Pinball” DLC
7 out of 10

The good

  • Stays true to the source material.
  • Mission variety.
  • Lower table difficulty makes it easy to get into.

The bad

  • Repeated dialogue.
  • Isolation table feels to open.

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About the author

Andy Gray

From the frozen land of Minnesota, I was the weird kid that begged my parents for an Intellivision instead of an Atari. My love for gaming has only grown since. When I’m not gaming I enjoy ice hockey and training dogs. I’m still trying to get my Elkhound to add to my Gamerscore though, one day this will happen.