Pinball M
- November 30, 2023
- Zen Studios
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.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"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.
Reviews
- The game features beautifully designed tables with great sound effects and varied themes, capturing the essence of classic pinball machines.
- The customization options, daily and weekly challenges, and campaign modes add depth and variety to the gameplay experience.
- The graphics and overall production quality are outstanding, making it a visually appealing game that enhances the pinball experience.
- Many players have reported issues with the physics and ball movement, feeling that they are inconsistent and detract from the gameplay experience.
- There are concerns about input lag and responsiveness, making the game feel unplayable for some users.
- The reliance on microtransactions and online-only access has frustrated players who prefer to have all content available without additional costs.
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Pinball FX and Pinball M is praised for its solid performance and engaging sound effects, with a strong emphasis on customization and unlockables. While some users noted limited experience with the gameplay, the overall impression is positive, highlighting the enjoyable mechanics and monetization focused on purchasing tables.
“The sound effects and gameplay are really well done.”
“Otherwise, this is a great game with tons of customization and unlockables through gameplay. The only monetization is buying these awesome tables.”
“For both performance and gameplay, most of my review for Pinball FX applies to Pinball M as well. I like how Zen does pinball.”
“Can't really talk about gameplay, since I only played 1 game...”
“For both performance and gameplay, most of my review for Pinball FX applies to Pinball M as well; I like how Zen does pinball.”
“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.”
- story3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is described as minimal and somewhat superficial, serving primarily as a backdrop for a series of increasingly challenging missions. Players engage in various challenge modes, with the narrative unfolding only slightly as they progress through these tasks. Overall, the story feels flimsy and is not the main focus of the gameplay experience.
“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.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are widely praised for their beauty, enhancing the overall visual experience of the game.
“The graphics are absolutely stunning!”
“The visual design is breathtaking and immersive.”
“Every detail in the graphics is meticulously crafted, making the game world feel alive.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the optimization in Pinball FX and Pinball M is generally well-received, with players appreciating Zen Studios' approach to performance and gameplay. The games are noted for their smooth operation and enjoyable mechanics, reflecting a strong optimization effort.
“For both performance and gameplay, most of my review for Pinball FX applies to Pinball M as well. I like how Zen does pinball.”
“The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
“I was disappointed by the poor optimization; it feels like the game is struggling to run smoothly even on high-end hardware.”
“The game has great potential, but the optimization issues make it nearly unplayable at times.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including physics glitches and input lag, which hinder the overall experience and usability.
“I wanted to like this game, and the general idea and design are good, but the physics glitches and input lag make it unusable.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game is primarily focused on purchasing additional tables, while players can enjoy extensive customization and unlockables through gameplay without the need for microtransactions.
“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.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the game's atmosphere for its meticulous attention to detail, highlighting the effective use of lighting, sound, and customization options, which contribute to an immersive experience. Many consider it to be the most refined pinball machine design by Zen to date.
“The atmosphere achieved in this game is remarkable, with its stunning lighting, immersive sound design, and thoughtful game modes and customization options. I dare say these are the most carefully crafted pinball machines that Zen has created to date.”
