Pinball FX3 – Review (PS4)
Zen has done a fantastic job of replicating the Pinball experience from a player's console, and providing the closest possible encounter to the real thing.
For seven years now we’ve been familiar with Zen Studios’ Pinball FX series, and we were excited when the new platform, Pinball FX3, was announced. Zen has done a fantastic job of replicating the Pinball experience from a player’s console, and providing the closest possible encounter to the real thing.
In case you didn’t know, the Pinball FX games are really a complex platform for more downloading themed tables. Each iteration in the series holds more features than the one before, and allows backwards compatibility with tables purchased on previous iterations of the platform.
If there is a word to describe Zen’s products, it’s authentic. If you’ve played traditional pinball machines, you’ll understand that Pinball FX3 hits the mark in just about every measure of authenticity. The ball launch, the bumper action, and even the frustration of a ball slipping through said bumpers resembles the feel of a real pinball table. Remember the pinball game that came with your Windows 95 purchase? Yeah, it feels nothing like that.
Pinball FX3 also launched with three new tables packaged together as The Universal Classics and include Jaws, E.T., and Back to the Future. These tables, and many other ones, present some interesting physics issues that simply aren’t realistic. That’s okay, because it’s a video game. It doesn’t take away from the authenticity that we mentioned before, and actually adds to the experience.
As part of the Pinball FX3 platform, multiplayer is featured. You can compete in tournaments through a league-based Matchup mode, or set up a tournament with other players. For something that so often seems like a solo activity, this brings communal life to pinball.
Multiplayer isn’t the only addition to Pinball FX3. Challenges have also been introduced as part of the single player experience. Challenges add a star-collecting element to the game and allow the player to unlock upgrades. It isn’t enough to change gameplay dramatically, but it’s something to aim towards.
Recommendation:
If you’ve ever played and enjoyed any of the Pinball FX games or tables, you’ll feel right at home in Pinball FX3. If you’re not a fan of pinball, there’s nothing much for you here.
Score – 8.0
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We were provided a copy of Pinball FX3 by the developer. It did not influence the reviewer’s opinion of the game.
