Pinball Wicked
- October 12, 2017
- Formslingers
Get on Steam"Pinball Wicked" is a virtual pinball simulation featuring advanced physics and mechanics on the Unreal Engine 4. The game includes the table "Black Flaggers," where players embark on a pirate adventure with toys, characters, and a lush environment. Additional tables will be available as DLC during Early Access.
Reviews
- The game features excellent graphics, sound, and lighting, creating an immersive pirate-themed experience.
- Gameplay is enjoyable with great physics, interesting modes, and high replay value, making it a solid choice for pinball enthusiasts.
- The table is well-designed for various play styles, including cabinet support and portrait mode, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game has only one table, which limits variety and may not justify the price for some players.
- There are reports of inconsistent physics, with some players feeling the ball behaves unrealistically and the flippers lack proper responsiveness.
- The game appears to be abandoned, with no updates or new content planned, leaving players concerned about its long-term viability.
- graphics42 mentions
- 79 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, intricate artwork, and impressive animations, creating an immersive experience that enhances gameplay. Players appreciate the attention to detail and the vibrant design, particularly in the pirate-themed setting, which is complemented by excellent sound effects and music. While the graphics are often described as top-notch, some users note that they may require a more powerful GPU for optimal performance.
“This is an excellent first table - deep, well designed, with amazing graphics for a pinball game.”
“The graphics are incredible and the Unreal Engine really allows for all the extra detail.”
“It delivers a great pinball experience with stunning visuals.”
“Within about a minute of firing up my first game on Black Flaggers, it was clear that, though the graphics and playfield elements are suggestive of fantasy, this is a real ground-up pin simulator engine - not crudely repurposed video game physics (although I admit it's totally possible that it's stock Unreal physics code underneath).”
“Eye-bleeding visuals.”
“The installed version of the NVIDIA graphics driver has known issues.”
- music22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its immersive quality and thematic integration, particularly with the pirate motif, which evokes strong cinematic vibes. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as one of the best in pinball gaming, complemented by excellent sound effects and visuals, although some suggest improvements in bass and volume balance. Overall, the music significantly enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature.
“Someone put real time and effort into the soundtrack, and I'm pretty sure it's gotten noticeably better recently.”
“It is the best soundtrack I've ever heard for any pinball table.”
“The pirate theme is beautiful with lots of charm and atmosphere, and I love the soundtrack.”
“Some unsuitable mission music.”
“All sounds and the music could use a little more impactful bass.”
“Some mechanical sound effects could do with being a bit louder though as they tend to get drowned out by the music and other sound effects.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by unique physics that make accurate shots more challenging, likened to launching cannonballs rather than traditional pinballs. While the mechanics are generally responsive and enjoyable, some players noted a need for fine-tuning and adjustments to enhance the experience. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing and immersive experience, complemented by a strong musical score, though some sound effects could be better balanced.
“Other than its peculiar gameplay for a video pinball table, this is one exciting experience for anyone that's into pinball and/or the theme of the table itself, which is excellent with great visuals, music, and sound effects.”
“Awesome gameplay, great graphical design, and a Hans Zimmer-like score! I love it!!!”
“It feels more akin to launching cannonballs than pinballs, so the whole gameplay is dictated around these peculiar physics, which make accurate shots harder than on a regular table.”
“The walking figurines look great, but for fairness and the sake of the gameplay, I'd like to see them removed.”
“Some mechanical sound effects could do with being a bit louder though, as they tend to get drowned out by the music and other sound effects.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The pinball machine is praised for its unique ability to create multiple atmospheres, particularly highlighting its charming pirate theme and orchestral soundtrack, which enhance the overall experience. Users appreciate the rich and immersive atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The pirate theme is beautiful with lots of charm and atmosphere, and I love the soundtrack.”
“More orchestral, and more atmospheric.”
“A single table with many atmospheres, this pinball machine is unique.”
“A single table with many atmospheres; this pinball machine is unique.”
“More pirate atmosphere.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users highlight the game's strong replayability, noting that it remains enjoyable over time. However, some express a preference for fewer, high-quality tables rather than multiple average ones, citing long-lasting favorites like "Timeshock" as examples of enduring appeal.
“Enjoyable table, with great replay value.”
“However, I strongly prefer one excellent table over five average ones. I remember 'Timeshock' being released in 1997, and it was, if I recall correctly, around 50 bucks. Even today, 20 years later, I play it once in a while, so much for replay value.”
“I strongly prefer one excellent table over five average ones. I remember 'Timeshock' being released in 1997, and it was, if I recall correctly, around 50 bucks. Even today, 20 years later, I play it once in a while, so much for replay value.”
“The lack of variety in gameplay makes it hard to stay engaged after the initial playthrough. Once you've seen everything, there's little incentive to return.”
“While the game has its moments, the limited content and repetitive mechanics really diminish its replayability. I found myself losing interest quickly.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features impressive graphics but suffers from performance issues, including stuttering likely related to garbage collection, making it a demanding experience on system resources typical of many third-party Unreal Engine 4 titles.
“The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the performance, making it accessible for a wider range of hardware.”
“The game runs beautifully with minimal lag, showcasing excellent optimization techniques.”
“I'm having stuttering issues, which I would attribute to some kind of garbage collection.”
“Spectacular graphics, but like many third-party UE4 games, it's quite a performance hog.”
- stability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates strong stability, with users reporting no glitches or bugs during gameplay. Its realistic physics contribute to a smooth experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the pinball mechanics.
“I've played for an hour and there were no glitches or bugs. This is one of the most realistic, lifelike physics-based pinball games on Steam, and the game is very fair with plenty of multi-balls.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its entertaining and funny creatures, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience. However, some players expressed frustration with the half-screen cut during certain actions, which detracts from the gameplay. Despite this, many found the game to be worth playing for its comedic elements.
“Very entertaining! The funny creatures really add to the experience. I had a lot of fun with it; it's definitely worth getting.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is marred by the inclusion of unsuitable mission music, which detracts from the overall narrative experience.
