Plot: What’s it about?
Pinball FX is the most acclaimed pinball franchise around, an addictive and wildly fun series with some remarkable tables to choose from. As good as that game is, Pinball FX 2 on Xbox One takes pinball to a whole new level. This sequel offers improved physics, dynamic new visuals, and a great interface to compete for top scores. You can track your progress against friends to determine who is the Pinball Wizard, or go for broke and compete with the entire world. The game tracks stats across individual tables and your total overall score, so there’s almost always a new challenge to undertake. Given that high score rights are crucial to the pinball experience, this new system is a great addition and really adds to the experience. The level of improvement in visuals is also impressive, as those older tables now sparkle and shine like never before. This is because you’re able to import most your Pinball FX tables from Xbox 360, adding immense value. A few tables will not be ported to Xbox One, but most will be and a good amount of them are already primed to be imported.
Pinball FX 2 is a free download and includes trials of all available tables, but this works like a platform, so the free download won’t score you many unlocked tables. Sorcerer’s Lair is included as a free full table and a full 1000 gamer points are available on that table, which is excellent news. Most of the tables you own in Pinball FX on 360 will transfer over however and you can expand your collection via the marketplace. The tables are very reasonable in price and are simply gorgeous, well designed tables. Some of the tables are offered in packs, so you can score several new ones in one fell swoop. If you want to purchase new tables, you’ll find a trio of Star Wars themed tables, some wicked Marvel comic inspired ones, plus a host of awesome Zen originals. The level of attention and care put into each table is remarkable, so whichever ones you add to your collection, you’ll be more than satisfied. Pinball FX 2 is simply the best pinball game out there, with a selection of tables that is deep and impressive. So if you even have a minor interest in pinball, Pinball FX 2 on Xbox One is beyond highly recommended, it is a must own release.
Video: How’s it look?
The jump to a next generation console is an obvious one, as these tables have never looked so sweet. All of the elements we love about pinball are here, the bright lights, kinetic moving parts, and the lightning fast mechanics. These tables are loaded with visual details, so much so that you might find yourself losing balls because you’re checking out various elements of the tables. The lights pulse, the tables shift based on your performance, and the entire experience is just fantastic. Pinball FX looked superb on Xbox 360, but Pinball FX 2 on Xbox One is flat out the best looking pinball game on the market.
Audio: How’s it sound?
Just as the visuals provide an authentic pinball experience, so do the audio elements. The classic sound of the bumpers, voice samples, and of course pinball tunes are all here. Some of the tables sound better than others, but all of them sound great and the best of them sound incredible. The wonderful sounds just as you activate multi-ball or when you finish a challenge add so much to the realistic texture of the experience. Each table seems to have a unique, effective sound design that suits the tone of the table, simply amazing work all around. You simply couldn’t ask for a more immersive, authentic pinball sound design.
