Pinball FX2 VR
- November 29, 2016
- Zen Studios
- 100h median play time
While PlayStation VR owners should already be used to the premium entry fee many titles charge, your initial reaction to the cost of Pinball FX2 VR is unlikely to be positive – especially if you've already invested in the same tables for Zen Pinball 2. Despite all this, though, if you've ever found enjoyment at the apron of a virtual pinball machine this really is the definitive experience, and while the occasionally distracting presentation – a hallmark of Zen Studios – has been heightened in VR, you'll still find yourself flipping out over the just how easily you'll lose yourself chasing that elusive high score.
Get on Steam"Pinball FX2 VR" is a virtual reality pinball game that offers advanced physics, detailed 3D graphics, and original tables from Zen Studios. The game includes three tables with additional ones available as DLC, and features global scoreboards to compete with other players. It aims to replicate the atmosphere of real-life pinball machines while providing unique gameplay features only possible in a virtual environment.
Reviews
- Great mechanics and smooth gameplay with immersive graphics that enhance the pinball experience.
- The game captures the essence of real pinball, making it feel like you're playing on an actual machine.
- Diverse and unique tables available, with the potential for more DLC content to expand gameplay.
- Limited to only three tables in the base game, with additional tables requiring expensive DLC purchases.
- Some users experience crashes and runtime errors when selecting tables, impacting overall enjoyment.
- The game's lobby feels empty and lacks the atmosphere of a real arcade, which detracts from the immersive experience.
- graphics33 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning quality and immersive VR experience, with many users noting impressive lighting and detailed environments that enhance gameplay. While most players report smooth performance, a few mention occasional stutters, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant highlight, contributing to a realistic and engaging pinball experience.
“Playing with Quest Link, the game has beautiful graphics and runs very smoothly, with just a few very infrequent stutters.”
“The graphics are nice, the sense of being at a real table is certainly there and the ball physics feel spot on to me.”
“Outstanding graphics and pinball physics.”
“Heavy pricing and well-made, but somewhat dated graphics.”
“The graphics quality in VR is really, really bad.”
“However, the game stutters a bit and it seems to be due to the graphics handling, and that's quite annoying.”
- gameplay22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its smooth mechanics, realistic physics, and immersive VR experience, making it an excellent introduction to virtual reality for newcomers. With a variety of tables that offer distinct designs and gameplay styles, players can enjoy a non-repetitive experience, especially when utilizing DLCs. The graphics are well-executed, enhancing the overall enjoyment without overwhelming the core pinball mechanics.
“There are about 10 boards including DLCs, but their gameplay and graphic designs are so different that it does not feel repetitive at all.”
“If you're into realistic, real-world modeled pinball mechanics and look/feel, you simply won't find something closer to reality than this in VR.”
“The physics are extremely accurate and the gameplay is very in-depth.”
“The framerate works pretty well on the minimum specs for VR, so you can play just fine mechanics-wise, but the graphics detail on the table will be reduced to possible distraction.”
“Just like old school pinball, we took turns trying to get a high score while figuring out the actual gameplay of the board; it's difficult to read the digital pinball scoreboard while playing to maximize scoring without losing the ball.”
“I do wish Zen Studios would be a bit less... rip-off-y in their pricing model, but... well, pinball people are a rare breed and Zen Studios are the only group doing the actual gameplay correctly.”
- story21 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is highlighted through its engaging narrative and well-crafted pinball tables, each featuring unique missions and characters that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the immersive journey of completing quests and achieving high scores, particularly enjoying the "epic quest" table for its depth and design. Overall, the narrative elements contribute significantly to the enjoyment and replayability of the game.
“You want to go through the story of the table and finish the mission.”
“The quest table has a character in the table that rides along, swings a sword, and recreates what is happening on the table.”
“And still TPA has nothing but a bad mockery of the potential VR has. It looks like TPA drained the ball on this one. Hopefully, you guys get something done over there because the PS4 Stern app plays like a crappy Android port. As one of your biggest fans, I can't imagine anyone else is exactly happy with your lackluster efforts. VR should have been top priority if you guys were actually going to be true to your mission statement!”
“I hadn't realized just how well-crafted pinball tables were, with aims and missions.”
“Of course, but keep in mind about the story mode and the free monthly play of 3 tables plus the free preview of all the tables.”
- optimization9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance and a variety of settings to customize their experience, others encounter significant issues, particularly on specific hardware like the Oculus Rift and high-end setups. There are complaints about certain bugs, such as low table heights affecting comfort, and some users have experienced persistent performance problems despite adjusting graphics settings.
“Great mechanics, runs smoothly with interesting graphics.”
“I had no issues at all and there are plenty of options to tailor the game to your machine's specifications. I have heard people bemoaning the performance, but as I say, it worked great for me and since this is my review… no performance issues.”
“There are a good selection of comfort and performance settings to choose from.”
“The only reason I cannot recommend this game is due to the lack of optimization for Oculus Rift.”
“The problem is that two of the tables that come out of the box are exhibiting performance issues on an overclocked 980 Ti paired with a 4.6 GHz 980X.”
“I tried lowering the graphics settings to the absolute minimum, and while this made the game look substantially worse, the performance remained the same.”
- stability8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, users report mixed experiences with stability. While some players experience smooth gameplay and good performance, others encounter bugs, particularly in the main menu and with specific graphics drivers. Notably, issues arise when enabling stereoscopic 3D, leading to system instability that requires driver reinstallation.
“Runs great; it has an in-game resolution setting (unquantified 'very low' through 'very high'), and a GTX 970 can run it at recommended resolution and 4x AA without reprojection.”
“Even raw data runs great and looks much, much better.”
“I don't know if my game is glitched, but when I'm in the main menu, the game feels very buggy.”
“The latest NVIDIA 378.92 driver still seems kind of buggy, because if I click to enable stereoscopic 3D, the entire system works fine only until the next reboot, at which point nothing works until I reinstall the NVIDIA driver again.”
“There are a few glitches I noticed in the Vive; for example, when I pressed the home button on the controller in the middle of a game, the game paused, but I could not figure out how to unpause it.”
- music6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the phenomenal sound quality, others find it generic and lacking in licensed tracks. Although the DLC tables offer enjoyable content, they are criticized for not including more memorable music. Adjusting the music settings can improve the experience, making it more suitable as background filler.
“The music and sound is really phenomenal.”
“You get the music and do a virtual version of that; I'd pay AAA title price for that alone in VR by you guys!”
“The DLC tables season 1 are great, although some of the proprietary content is lacking in terms of music.”
“Don't expect any classic tables like Metallica (or any music related), RollerCoaster Tycoon, etc.”
“My only complaint is the music sounds awfully generic, but if you turn it down to just one notch in the settings, it's way better as just background filler for when the table is quiet.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its immersive sound effects and dynamic animations that enhance the overall experience, with each table offering a unique ambiance. While some players find the animated backgrounds potentially distracting, many appreciate how they contribute to a more engaging and complex atmosphere. However, the lack of an option to disable these animations may affect performance for some users.
“Great sound and atmosphere with effects that trigger based on events within the table.”
“I like how the whole atmosphere changes for each table.”
“The table is more complex and the atmosphere is a lot more engaging.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a decent level of replayability, particularly with the addition of DLC content that enhances the experience, though some players feel the replay value may be limited due to the nature of pinball gameplay. While many enjoy the fun and variety provided by the zen tables, others express that there is a cap on how much pinball they can engage with.
“The DLC can seem a bit expensive, but it adds to the replay value.”
“Lots of fun and replayability.”
“The DLC can seem a bit expensive, but the license fees to Universal or The Walking Dead bulk up the price, which affects the replay value.”
“I can't wait for more of the Zen tables to be playable.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the reduction in tedious menu navigation for selecting slots on machines, though some still find the process of swapping them out to be cumbersome.
“It's so tedious to have to swap them out.”
“You don't have to do the tedious menu to pick slots for machines anymore (though it is still an option).”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has been criticized as a cash grab, exploiting VR headset users with subpar content and requiring them to pay for DLC they already own in other formats, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and calls for refunds.
“This feels like a rip-off, cashing in on VR headset users with a half-hearted cash grab. Oh wait, there's DLC you already own in the pancake version. Pay for it twice and you'll get half of what the pancake version offers. I hope this company has to issue many refunds.”
“The monetization strategy is frustrating and feels exploitative, especially for those who invested in the VR experience. It's disappointing to see such a blatant cash grab.”
“I can't believe how much they charge for additional content. It feels like they are just trying to squeeze every penny out of players without offering real value.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by amusing effects and interactions, such as a character's laughter when players make mistakes, which adds a lighthearted touch despite occasionally causing frustration. Overall, the comedic elements enhance the gaming experience, making it entertaining and engaging.
“The effects around (and in some cases in) the table are funny and great! (Aaah, there goes another sheep!) And that girl rolling over with laughter when I lost my ball due to not paying attention was hilarious.”
“The humor in the game is spot on, with clever jokes and funny situations that keep you entertained throughout.”
“I love how the characters have such quirky personalities, and their interactions always lead to unexpected and funny moments.”
Critic Reviews
Pinball FX2 VR Review
While PlayStation VR owners should already be used to the premium entry fee many titles charge, your initial reaction to the cost of Pinball FX2 VR is unlikely to be positive – especially if you've already invested in the same tables for Zen Pinball 2. Despite all this, though, if you've ever found enjoyment at the apron of a virtual pinball machine this really is the definitive experience, and while the occasionally distracting presentation – a hallmark of Zen Studios – has been heightened in VR, you'll still find yourself flipping out over the just how easily you'll lose yourself chasing that elusive high score.
80%VR Multiball action - Pinball FX2 VR PSVR review
I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed the additional immersion of Pinball FX2 VR. It’s completely nausea free, and it looks fantastic to boot. While the neck angle required to work the table is a little uncomfortable, Pinball FX2 VR is a great new way to experience the amazing work of Zen Studios and their pinball tables.
80%
