A Pinball RPG Mashup

The most recent addition to the Pinball FX2 collection is a three table set that represents three of Bethesda's biggest hits--the Fallout series, Skyrim, and DOOM.  But how do you translate two massive RPG's and one serious FPS into a pinball table?  Before I go any further in this review, you really have to question your reasons for playing PFX2.  Do you purchase and play specific tables because you are a fan of that specific series or theme?  Or do you play it because you enjoy pinball in all its various shapes and forms?  This is important because depending on your reasons you could either love or hate this set of tables.

If you're the type of player who enjoys seeing how they've managed to turn your favorite game/comic/cartoon into a pinball table, you're going to want to pick up these tables.  I've played a lot of Fallout and Skyrim so I was curious to see exactly what details and features made it into the game.  Both tables incorporate features that fit in with the RPG theme--you can choose to create a character with certain stats.  These stats give you some small gameplay benefits, but don't impact the game much.  As you play your character can "level up" and gain better stats--XP is earned through completing quests and events.  Those quests and events are specific to the series--on the Fallout table you choose from factions like the Institute, the Railroad, the Brotherhood of Steel or the Minutemen.  Completing quests involves shooting the correctly lit lanes, ramps, or orbits.  Once in awhile you encounter enemies and have to shoot the correct targets to down an enemy or to dodge incoming attacks.  It's a strange marriage between pinball and RPG that works on many levels.

My least favorite table in the set is the Skyrim table.  Like the Fallout table it is very RPG focused--you create a character, have an inventory and skills, and can complete quests to level up.  The odd thing about the table is that the gameplay carries over every time you play.  Your character retains their levels and items.  The table follows the progression of the main storyline in the game--you start a specific quest and if you finish it, you advance to the next step in the story.  There are bandits (and dragons!) to kill by shooting them with the ball and chests to loot.  The RPG aspect is neat, but the table itself is a bit on the boring side.  It features my least favorite table feature--something huge right in the middle of the playing field (in this case it's a cave)--that takes up a ton of space.  Your character changes appearance as you equip new items and there's a dragon but that's about it.  It feels like all the thought went into making the RPG elements and very little went into actually designing pinball-like features on the table itself.

The downside of the RPG-like elements in the Fallout and Skyrim tables is that you will have to interrupt play to manage your character.  This is something that true pinball fans aren't going to like--the interruption of the flow of play.  It can be odd and a little annoying.

Those who like pinball for the sake of pinball will enjoy the DOOM table.  Even though it starts off making you pick your difficulty level it doesn't feature the interruptions of play like the other two tables.  This table is chocked full of thoughtful pinball features--spinners, orbits, ramps, weird little rock bumpers, and so much more!  The missions are challenging and fun and the table captures the heavy-metal shoot em' up feeling of the game.  Even though I've never played the newest reiteration of DOOM, this table is my favorite.

I would recommend the table for fans of Bethesda series like Fallout and Skyrim (The Elder Scrolls).  However, I would cautiously recommend this package to pinball fans.  If you want pure pinball there are other (cheaper) tables that play more traditionally.  One nice feature in Pinball FX2 is the ability to play a short demo before you pony up the cash for new tables.  Maybe give them a play before you decide.