Pinball M

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 456 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Pinball M Game Cover
Zen Pinball takes us away from the bright lights of the standard pinball venue and sends us to the dark basement to play the grizzly horror themed tables of our nightmares.
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"Pinball M" is a horror-themed pinball game with a variety of tables to choose from, including the eldritch horror-inspired "Wrath of the Elder Gods: Director’s Cut," the twisted and menacing "Chucky's Killer Pinball," the frightening fusion of classic pinball and horror in "Dead by Daylight™ Pinball," and the action-packed "Duke Nukem's Big Shot Pinball." The game offers thrilling competition and a realistic pinball simulation. Additional tables are available as purchasable DLC.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 456 reviews
gameplay10 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • The game features great table designs with a horror theme, appealing to fans of classic horror movies.
  • Highly addictive gameplay with a variety of modes and customization options, providing a rich experience for pinball enthusiasts.
  • The graphics and sound design are top-notch, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
  • There are issues with input lag and flipper responsiveness, making gameplay frustrating at times.
  • The free table is considered lackluster compared to the paid options, leading to disappointment for some players.
  • The game requires an internet connection for most features, limiting offline playability and access to purchased tables.
  • gameplay36 mentions

    The gameplay of pinball has evolved significantly from its mechanical origins to incorporate complex designs and digital technology, blending skill, strategy, and chance. Players appreciate the engaging mechanics and beautiful table designs, though some note issues with flipper responsiveness and steep table angles that can make gameplay challenging. Overall, the experience is enhanced by innovative gameplay modes and high-quality graphics, making it a satisfying choice for both pinball enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

    • “This shift in gameplay transformed pinball from a game of pure chance into a more strategic and engaging experience.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and full of surprises, with clever mechanics that keep you on your toes.”
    • “Its unique atmosphere, interesting gameplay mechanics, and demanding gameplay are refreshing additions to the genre.”
    • “Honestly, I don't like the UI and presentation outside of gameplay in general.”
    • “Drawing parallels to classic pinball titles, Pinball M excels in nostalgic appeal but lacks innovation in gameplay mechanics.”
    • “All the tables seem extremely steeply angled and it's extremely challenging to get more than a minute or two of solid gameplay before going through your 3 balls.”
  • graphics33 mentions

    Overall, the graphics in the pinball game are praised for their vibrant artwork, attention to detail, and immersive horror aesthetics, earning high ratings from users. However, some players have reported performance issues, such as lag and responsiveness problems with flippers, particularly at higher settings. While many appreciate the modern digital visuals, there are mixed feelings about the overall improvement compared to previous iterations, with some suggesting that the graphics have plateaued in innovation.

    • “The graphics and physics are top-notch, delivering satisfying gameplay we've come to expect from Zen Studios.”
    • “The attention to detail in the artwork and sound effects is phenomenal, truly capturing the essence of these chilling films while making each playthrough a thrilling experience.”
    • “Terrific mood, tight arcade action, beautiful visuals.”
    • “It's not like the graphics look all that much better than the FX3 tables.”
    • “The graphics are no longer making any progress in this genre; why can't we make the table really cool but at the same time clear?”
    • “Lags and shudders with pixelation errors on the screen frame when set to low graphics.”
  • story16 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is described as underdeveloped, primarily serving as a flimsy narrative backdrop for a series of increasingly challenging missions. While the campaigns provide a sense of progression and thematic engagement, the overall narrative feels secondary to the gameplay mechanics. However, some players appreciate the immersive experience that the pinball tables and their unique features bring, likening it to being part of a movie.

    • “The challenges, campaign missions, and personality the tables bring with the new features make these tables feel more fleshed out.”
    • “Each play-through made me feel like I was part of a movie, trying to save my friends and following the movie's plot with every hit of the ball.”
    • “Strong graphics, yet the story feels underdeveloped.”
    • “These campaigns are simply an ever increasingly difficult series of challenge mode missions with a flimsy bit of narrative setting it up so as you progress through the missions, a bit of a story unfolds.”
    • “So do not buy their story about how VR takes away development time.”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the game has received positive feedback, with players praising its quality, thematic relevance, and immersive qualities. Many appreciate the original soundtrack and sound effects, which enhance the overall gaming experience, while customization options allow for personal adjustments. Overall, the audio presentation is considered top-notch, contributing significantly to the nostalgic and enjoyable atmosphere of the game.

    • “I really love the music, theme, and table layout a whole bunch.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic! It comes with ray tracing & DLSS options, and all in all, the visual/audio presentation here is top notch.”
    • “The sound effects and background music all put me in a trance of pure bliss.”
    • “Music, and repetitive voice over lines, etc. this is where the customisation's really come in handy.”
    • “I quickly eliminated voices, music and sound effects which really helped.”
    • “Plus the atmospheric music!”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The atmosphere in Pinball FX is generally praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by ray tracing, sound effects, and thematic visuals, creating a unique and engaging experience. However, some tables, like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, are noted for lacking depth and excitement, suggesting a need for additional visual effects and ambient tracks. Overall, the game's careful attention to lighting, sound, and customization contributes to a rich and varied atmospheric experience across different tables.

    • “Great use of ray tracing; it adds a lot to the atmosphere in this variation of Pinball FX, although it's really hard to run without aggressively enabling an upscaler.”
    • “I love the creepy atmospheres and the sound effects.”
    • “Because of the atmosphere achieved—lighting, sound, game modes, and customization options—I dare say that they are the most carefully crafted pinball machines that Zen has created to date.”
    • “This table isn't 'bad' per se, it's just quiet and bland. I would add some extra VFX or a new ambient track because for some reason the atmosphere doesn't land, unlike every other table.”
    • “The upgrades are really cool, not only in the form of masteries but also the visual stuff in the tables and the surrounding area, like steam coming out of vents and green atmospheres.”
    • “Because of the atmosphere achieved, lighting, sound, game modes, and customization options, I dare say that they are the most careful pinball machines that Zen has created to date.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players report smooth performance, particularly on the Steam Deck, others criticize the lack of video/display options and poor optimization for less powerful hardware, leading to laggy menus and performance issues. Many users feel that the developers could improve the game's optimization significantly.

    • “PSA: The game is optimized and runs well on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Also, it could use some optimization and would be nice if it had a few more options for video/display settings, as well as an option to customize joystick controls.”
    • “Shoddy optimization by lazy developers keeps this game from being anything but a positive experience.”
    • “Optimizations using Unreal Engine 4 are also left to be desired, especially on less powerful cards and the Steam Deck.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    The game offers exceptional replayability, with users highlighting its unlimited potential due to diverse table designs, engaging themes, and various challenges. Players appreciate the high-energy experience and the ability to explore different gameplay mechanics, making it particularly appealing for pinball enthusiasts and fans of horror and shooter genres. Overall, the replay value is consistently rated highly, with many considering it a significant strength of the game.

    • “Unlimited replayability.”
    • “Still, it's a fun, enjoyable experience for pinball fans, offering lots of replay value and some great challenges.”
    • “High-energy virtual pinball fun with excellent replay value and DLC built for horror fans and boomer shooter consumers alike!”
    • “Good table design, themes, and effects; basically, it has never-ending replay value.”
    • “Certainly a learning experience, so it has a lot of replayability. Every table really changes how the game works, especially in Dead by Daylight, where you can choose from 4 survivors and the trapper with 3 perks (still don't know what anything does though, lol).”
    • “Replay value: A+”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability is significantly hampered by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly related to the physics engine and input lag, which can disrupt gameplay and hinder performance. While some users report that the game runs well without HDR, others experience severe issues like screen blackouts and HDMI signal loss. Overall, the game is deemed unstable, especially in its free pinball table, making it difficult for players to enjoy or achieve high scores.

    • “The game looks and runs great, but that doesn't matter if you can't time your shots due to delay.”
    • “For some reason, HDR kills my system (screen blackouts, HDMI signal loss, and whatnot - literally the only game having these issues) but runs great without.”
    • “The game is very buggy and slow.”
    • “With that being said, I cannot recommend this game until they have fixed their free pinball table, as I believe their physics engine could also be plagued with glitches that may seem subtle, but I assure you, they make it very difficult to achieve those master high scores and challenges when the game is prone to glitch on you, making it an unstable game to play on to even begin with for being a virtual pinball game.”
    • “I wanted to like this game, and the general idea and design is good, but the physics glitches and input lag make it unusable.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game engaging, as it immerses them in a cinematic experience filled with horror elements. The sense of urgency and camaraderie in trying to save friends enhances the emotional connection, making each play-through feel like a thrilling narrative.

    • “Each play-through made me feel like I was part of a movie, trying to save my friends and following the movie's plot with every hit of the ball.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization in the game primarily revolves around purchasing additional tables, with players expressing a willingness to watch advertisements to unlock content. Overall, the game offers substantial customization and unlockable features through gameplay, minimizing reliance on aggressive monetization tactics.

    • “Otherwise, this is a great game with tons of customization and unlockables through gameplay (I know, shocking). The only monetization is buying these awesome tables.”
    • “I don't mind watching advertisements several times to unlock another table, but it feels excessive.”
    • “The monetization strategy is frustrating; it feels like the game is designed to push players into spending money.”
    • “It's disappointing that progress is often locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever use of the Unreal Engine's built-in VR support, which adds a layer of comedic irony to the experience. Players find the integration amusing, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “How funny.”
    • “It's funny because the Unreal Engine comes with VR support already built-in.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

96% average critic score

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Play time

2hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
1-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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