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Pinball FX 2 – XBLA Review

Dylan Radcliffe
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Pinball FX 2 – XBLA Review

Game Name: Pinball FX 2
Platforms: Xbox 360
Publisher(s): MGS
Developer(s): Zen Studios
Genre(s): Sports & Recreation
Release Date: 10/27/2010
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: Free. Tables must be purchased Separately.

Story
“Pinball FX is back, and it is better than ever! Pinball FX2 offers brand new tables and a host of new features and improvements: new state-of-the-art physics model that surpasses anything available so far, full compatibility for Pinball FX owners, online races, hotseat and split-screen multiplayer modes, Operators Menu with custom settings and advanced play info.” [Via Xbox.com]

There isn’t a story at all, because Pinball FX 2 is basically  a HUB to house a bunch of pinball tables that you purchase separately. Like Game Room, you purchase additional content that can all be accessed through the Pinball FX 2 game.


Gameplay
Pinball FX 2 is a HUB that houses a bunch of different pinball tables for the player to enjoy. While the player has to purchase every table separately for a small fee, they do have the luxury of being able to try out a demo of the table before purchasing it. Pinball FX 2 is a lot like the Game Room, where you can look at what is offered and only buy the ones you truly enjoy. The user face is simple to use and extremely easy to navigate. Leaderboards are easy to locate and a lot of times are right there when you need them. The overall experience is smooth and extremely welcoming.

There are some additions to the game that wouldn’t be found in a normal arcade pinball. These additions treat you as the owner of the pinball machine, and since you are the owner you can tweak certain aspects of the machine. You can move around certain pegs, adjust the tension of certain items, increase the bounce of other items. This may be a good thing or a bad thing. It is quite complicated to understand and isn’t necessary for the full experience; however, if you are one of those people who strive for perfection this new ability is perfect.

The physics engine has been revamped and it is incredible now. I can full heartedly say that Pinball FX 2 is the best pinball simulator I have ever played on a console. Everything that you would expect in a pinball game is located in Pinball FX 2, from the ability accurately slingshot your balls with practice to being able to memorize what angles to hit certain obstacles at. This game isn’t necessarily predictable, but since the physics engine is reliable you can practice and actually memorize the exact location, angle, and speed a ball has to be shot at in order to hit certain targets.

Each table lets you get a score and compete on the leaderboards against friends. Every million points you gain gives you 1 superscore point. These superscore points are combined over all the tables to create one overall superscore that you can compare with friends. Pinball FX 2 emphasizes having a lot of friends playing the game because it creates a challenging atmosphere as well as enables you and your friends to cooperate in unlocking some of the things within the game. Throughout the game you can gain wizard score, which takes you and your friends superscore and multiplies it all by the amount of tables you have played. The need to have a lot of friends, all working cooperatively, to unlock some of the more expensive unlockables. This creates a nice experience and may even help you find new friends who share your love for pinball.


Audio & Graphics
The audio is nice and reminds me of playing an actually pinball machine. As the metal ball bounces around, the pings and pongs of the tables creates the classic feel. Each table also has a unique element to it, and the sound emphasizes these elements further. Voice acting for both male and female narrators are superb and help delve the player even further into the specific tables.

The graphics are extremely well done. Each table has a unique look and feel to it, with a theme on each one that feels special. The lights, and camera angles create an effect that can’t even be successfully reproduced with a real pinball table. This all creates an exemplary effect that makes the experience as a whole even more fun than a real pinball table.


Achievements
Each table includes 3 achievements and range from extremely easy to extremely difficult. The easy achievement are usually gained by doing some simple task that is done regularly on each table. The harder tasks require you to do a lot more on each table, such as completely beat the table or unlock every aspect of it. Avatar Awards are unlocked by gaining Wizard Score, which makes these avatar awards extremely difficult to get. I had to add over 50 new friends just to get enough Wizard Score to unlock both avatar awards. As stated earlier, wizard score is gained by combining your superscore and your friends superscore and multiplying it by the amount of tables you have played. Based on how many tables you own, your amount of friends, and your skill; this task could be easy or quite difficult.


Overview
Pinball FX 2 is a nice addition to the Pinball FX series with a bunch of new tables, and the ability to import all the classic tables from the original into this new HUB and access them along with a bunch of new tables. Each table is unique, and you can even demo each table before purchasing it. Remember, Pinball FX 2 is just a HUB that houses separately purchased tables. For some reason I actually have to emphasize this even more, because there are gamers out there complaining that it isn’t really free. I assume they are the same people that complained about the Game Room. Any pinball fan will love this addition with the improved physics engine, great graphics, and the ability to tweak aspects of the table. Why go to the arcade when you can just play Pinball FX 2 in the comfort of your home, away from any friends looking over your shoulder and telling you what to  do and how you should have done something.
I give Pinball FX 2
9-0-capsules-out-of-10

Call of Duty: Black Ops Launch Trailer

J. Bradshaw
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0

Shooter fans everywhere are literally jumping for joy these days.  Why? Call of Duty: Black Ops is only 9 days away.  If you are in delirious pain of expectation, maybe this launch trailer will help ease the suffering.  It could also just intensify the pain, so watch at your own risk. You have been warned.

Even if you are on the fence about Call of Duty, this trailer will most likely at least get you thinking about your decision.  Blackbird SR-71? Check! Immensely important historical figures? Check! Crazy stunts? Check!  Guns galore? Check!  Yea, you should definitely check it.

Xbox Live Update Goes Live November 1

J. Bradshaw
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Everybody who has been waiting to see the message that your Xbox Dashboard needs updated only needs to wait a little bit longer.  Tomorrow, November 1, your Xbox Live service will be updated to reveal features like better voice codec, Kinect support, and new avatars.  Other features include ESPN3 and search for Netflix.  Go here for the full list of things that were in the beta, and then pull an all nighter to be the first to get your new experience.  Don’t worry; we won’t be jealous.

Confused about your update and worried you might brick your precious box?  Don’t be! Microsoft has got you covered!

From country to country, features may vary.

New Sonic Colors Trailer Appears; DS Demo Goes Live…

Dustin Spencer
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We are closer than ever to the the release of Sonic Colors and it is looking better than ever. The first thing to take notice of is the brand new trailer showing off how each wisp power effects Sonic in gameplay. What is obvious by this trailer is how fast the game is and how the wisps, unlike power-ups in more recent titles, do not effect this speed whatsoever.

If you are itching to try out this game, whip out your DSi and download the demo from the Wii Nintendo store as it is now live! Sonic looks to be making the comeback we have all wanted for years by the looks of it Sonic Colors has potential to be THAT title where the blue hedgehog gets back all of his credibility with fans. We will bring you more updates as the game gets closer to launching November 16th. Check out the trailer below…

Slice It Update available now

Philip Federico
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Great news for all you Slice It fans out there, Com2us have just released an update for the game available via the App Store.  The update includes the following :

Episode 2 : (Version 1.2.0 30/10/2010)

10 more New stages have been added from 71 to 80 in Chapter 4 – Stay tuned Chapter 5 is not too far away !!

Achievements have been to for Game Center !! If you’re on Game center add me !! (MasterAbbott)

You can also skip stages which are difficult to solve.  Com2us have also added more hints in each stage to assist with passing the more difficult levels.

If you don’t know much about Slice it!  Then why not check out our review of the game here.  If you’re a fan of puzzle games then Slice it! is right up your alley.

We did catch up with Com2us producer/designer of Slice it! Peter “Crazylife” Huh back at Tokyo Gameshow this year.  Peter was really excited to share with us that Episode 4 and 5 will include another 20 new stages. The difficulty level staying pretty much the same as the earlier Episodes.  The great thing about Episodes 4 and 5 is that they will be absolutely free as long as you’ve purchased the full game.

We asked Peter how long it took to create and design each stage, Peter advised that on average it took his team approx 1 day to design 2-3 stages, with some stages especially the harder ones taking days to design.  So when you clear a stage stop and think and give praise to Peter and his team for all the hard work and dedication that they have gone through to deliver to you these fun, addictive and challenging puzzles.

If you haven’t tried Slice it! yet why not give it a try now.  Com2us has released a free demo version that gives you a taste Slice it! Try it out here.  If you feel you can Slice it! like a pro then step up to challenge and grab the full version now for only 99c !! Buy it now.

X1 Prototype & Gran Turismo 5

J. Bradshaw
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Red Bull and Polyphony Digital have teamed up to create the ultimate speed demon, the Red Bull X1 Prototype.  The real life results of the car are incredible.  Using an F1 banned technology, the team added a fan that is used to force air out from underneath the car, lowering the air pressure and creating an amazing amount of downforce.  This created results of 8Gs of lateral force and speeds of more than 450kmh.  Sebastian Vettel broke the on the record on the Suzuka Circuit by 20 seconds.

Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing states, “The results were thrilling.  X1 is about evolution, delivering the optimum combination of tested technologies in a single integrated design.  This would be the future of racing were we not bound by regulations, but one that is achievable today.  And as Sebastian has shown, it is about devastating speed coupled with real handling control.  Today thanks to PlayStation 3 and Gran Turismo we can test drive the future.”

Kazunori Yamauchi, President, Polyphony Digital Inc and creator of the Gran Turismo series says, “X1 sees the marriage of virtual and real worlds as we explore the boundaries of our technology and aesthetic senses.  The X1 Prototype Project has been motivated by curiosity and passion, powerful forces that brought together the best the world has to offer in design, physics simulation, racing car product technology and driving.”

Be on the lookout for the new release date for Gran Turismo 5, and then play through a variety of real life cars like NASCAR and the X1. Also, you can win a chance to drive the X1 when you buy the game.  Find more info at gran-turismo.

Halloween Sales on the App Store

Travis Bruno
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Ready to kill some zombies with some plants? Well if you haven’t hopped on the bandwagon yet then you have a great chance to now for the iPhone. That is because quite a large number of apps have been discounted now on the Appstore. Not sure quite how long these deals will last but most likely until Halloween ends so if you want these deals then you better hurry!

Prinny 2 gets rated by the ESRB; details are a must read

Travis Bruno
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0

The prinnies are back yet again with their own game focusing just around them, dood. Though being titled Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! may make the ESRB a little worried and fans of the series concerned it will receive an unfair rating but there is no reason to worry. The ESRB has come through today with a T rating of Language, Mild Fantasy Violence, and Suggestive themes.

You can catch the full rating below which deserves a reading because it is quite hilarious:

“This is a side-scrolling action game in which players assume the role of penguin-like demons on a whimsical quest to retrieve stolen underpants. Players use “cartoony” swords, bombs, and flamethrowers to battle a variety of small creatures (e.g., gargoyles, scarecrows, demons, animal-like characters); enemies disappear in flashes of light when defeated.

Dialogue frequently mentions “perverts” or “pervs,” and characters make numerous comments about the stolen “panties” (e.g., “[W]ouldn’t it be great if sniffing them did destroy the Netherworld?” and “If some perv wears it over his head and takes a whiff of it . . .”). Some dialogue references the body proportions of various female characters (e.g., “Girls with something to grab onto are so much better, like pork loins” and “That flat-chested demon can’t even come close to comparing with her!”). The words “sh*t,” “a*s,” and “bastard” also appear in dialogue.”

Prinny 2 will be arriving on shelves in the US in January 2011. The game itself will be coming with a small side game on the UMD called Asagi Wars. You can also catch the trailer for Prinny 2 below dood:

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV2CAcgvLY0[/pro-player]

Sonic Free Riders – The Weapons

J. Bradshaw
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0

The speediest hedgehog ever also has quite a violent streak.  However, the weapons that Sonic uses are pretty creative, not to mention the fact that Sonic and Company fire them off hover boards.  Sonic Free Riders looks like its pretty swell.  For instance, why play sports when you can play Sonic and get the same experience?  Similarly, why bother parachuting when you can hover board over a massive jump?  I am really pumped to try it, especially as the trailer’s controls appear pretty intuitive.  Don’t forget to get your Kinect before you try it!

Telltale giving out free Sam and Max chapter this weekend

Travis Bruno
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Telltale is definitely feeling generous. First they give out the first episode of their upcoming Back to the Future game, and now they are giving away Sam and Max: Night of the Raving Dead absolutely free. Sure you will still need your Telltale account to get it but that doesn’t take more than a little bit of typing and clicking and you net yourself a free game.

The game itself will only be free until November 1st so if you are late to the party you will be paying the standard fee for the game. Though the game definitely gives off that Halloween feel with some undead comedy eh? You can get it right here at Telltale’s official site.

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