Pinball FX2 – Plants vs. Zombies™ Table
Gameplay 9
Graphics 9
Sound 9

It might have taken a while to reach PC, but this table is still every bit as good as it was upon first release. Zen Studios did a great job with the license and created a table that fans of the Plans vs Zombies franchise will love to play. It is simple to understand the goals, but feels a bit more challenging than the original console release.

Gameplay: A nice table that cleverly incorporates elements of the original license into the gameplay.

Graphics: Excellent use of the Plants vs Zombies license.

Sound: Familiar tunes and effects will make Plants vs Zombies players feel right at home

Summary 9.0 Outstanding
Gameplay 0
Graphics 0
Sound 0
Summary rating from user's marks. You can set own marks for this article - just click on stars above and press "Accept".
Accept
Summary 0.0 Terrible

Pinball FX2 – Plants vs. Zombies™ Table

Developer: Zen Studios | Publisher: Microsoft Studios | Release Date: 2014 | Genre: Pinball / DLC / Casual / Simulation | Website: Official Website | Purchase: Steam

The Plants vs. Zombies™ table for Pinball FX2 was released back in 2012 for Xbox 360 so it is about time that PC owners get to experience its thrills. Based around the popular PopCap tower defense title, the PvZ table is a vibrant and entertaining addition to the Pinball FX2 lineup.

Zen Studios have proven time and again how good they are at combining popular licenses and pinball tables in a meaningful way, and this table is no exception. One look at this table and you will instantly recognize the license. Just like the original PopCap title, the playing field is represented by a garden that is under siege by zombies. Dr. Zomboss, the final boss of the original game, watches from the back of the table while the area below the flippers is your house. The use of greens and blues really make this table pop and everything looks especially nice in the higher resolution that is possible on PC. Even the “area” in which the table is standing looks nice with a lawnmower, pink tricycle, and barbecue that makes it look like you are playing pinball on someone’s front lawn.

The table features some very easy to understand goals, making it friendly to newcomers. The playing field is relatively open and you have four flippers in total with which to keep the ball in play. The ramps are all very easy to hit and all missions are activated by spelling “B-R-A-I-N-S.” Missions consist of knocking over zombies that come shambling towards your house, surviving a wave of zombies, stopping digging zombies by shooting the right lanes and outwitting a zombie at football. After completing all the missions you get a shot at the big, bad boss himself, Dr. Zomboss.

The zombies that appear on the table are actually 3D models, which not only look great, but would have been impossible with a real pinball table. Knocking over zombies earns you cash, which can be spent on buying stuff from your neighbor, Crazy Dave. You also have to wake up a sunflower and collect the sun rays it drops to buy different types of plants. Fans of the original game will love all the clever ways that Zen Studios have found to incorporate the license with the table mechanics. From the chompers that act as kickbacks to the corncob cannon that launch the ball into play, the attention to detail is really great. Even the actual ball starts out as a pea and can be frozen or set on fire with the right power-ups.

The original Plants vs Zombies soundtrack featured some nice tunes from Laura Shigihara, and you’ll be hearing them again on this table. The sound effects and speech snippets, such as the “Braaaains” phrase uttered by zombies, are also present. Even that familiar jack-in-the-box tune from the original game crops up.

One thing that I noticed about the table is that it feels a lot harder than it did on Xbox 360. It has been a while since I played the console version, but I recall an abundance of extra balls and constantly activating multi-ball. These appear to have been toned down for the PC release to make things a bit more challenging or my skills have deteriorated.

This table is available for only $2.99 from Steam which is a bargain considering how much fun it is. Being a fan of the license is obviously a plus but even if you never played the original game the pinball table remains entertaining. It only has two achievements, one for activating multi-ball and one for purchasing everything from Crazy Dave, but chasing high scores will keep you playing for ages. If you don’t own this table on console don’t miss out on the PC version.

*Review originally published March 2014.

System Requirements

  • OS:Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8
  • Processor:Single Core CPU @ 1.6GHz
  • Memory:512 MB RAM
  • Graphics:GeForce 6600 / Radeon 9800
  • DirectX®:9.0
  • Hard Drive:1200 MB HD space
  • Sound:DirectX compatible sound card
  • Other Requirements:Broadband Internet connection
  • OS:Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8
  • Processor:Dual Core CPU @ 2.00GHz
  • Memory:1024 MB RAM
  • Graphics:GeForce 8800 / Radeon HD 3850
  • DirectX®:9.0c
  • Hard Drive:1500 MB HD space
  • Sound:DirectX compatible sound card
  • Other Requirements:Broadband Internet connection

Related posts

Sakura Angels

Sakura Angels

Sakura Angels is a definite improvement over Sakura Spirit, but still falls short of greatness. Players who like plenty of fan service and don’t mind a story that is a bit clichéd will enjoy the game though and the artwork is beautiful. It is also a more risqué game compared to Sakura Spirit, but once again the title is more ecchi than hentai, so will be tame to people used to nukige titles. Gameplay: The story is a bit more involved this time round and there are much more choices. Graphics: Beautiful art work with plenty of detail. Sound: Once again, no voice acting, but the music isn’t too bad.

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED]

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED]

The Eternal Castle [Remastered] definitely looks the part of a game from an era where CGA visuals were the norm, but don't be fooled into thinking that it is a dusty retro title. Instead, it is a fast-paced and challenging adventure that uses the limited color palette in ways real games from that era could only dream of. The animations are also top-notch, and so is the soundtrack, but the controls can be very challenging if you are not used to this type of game. Overall, it's a great game if you remember early PC platformers with fondness, but modern players will also enjoy it if they can learn to appreciate the visual style. Gameplay: Although short, the game is a lot of fun despite some occasionally frustrating bits. Graphics: The art style looks very primitive in screenshots but has to be seen in action to appreciate the detail and animations. Sound: The synth soundtrack is incredible.

Superhero League of Hoboken

Superhero League of Hoboken

Superhero League of Hoboken is a really bizarre and off the wall game, but that’s what made it so entertaining and refreshing back when it was first released. It features challenging battles and plenty of neat puzzles, which still makes it worth playing in this day and age. Some elements of the game have aged better than others, but if you missed out the first time round then you’ll still find plenty of entertainment here. Just keep in mind that the game is a couple of decades old at this point. Gameplay: Very fun to play and quite unique for its time. Graphics: Obviously very dated now, but still has plenty of neat elements. Sound: Once again not bad for its time.

eden*

eden*

Although it might be set during the last days of a dying planet, Eden* is more about the personal struggles of its interesting cast. The story is wonderfully engaging though and definitely doesn’t pull any punches. Coupled with the amazing artwork and wonderful soundtrack this is a must for fans of the genre. Minori has a great track record when it comes to visual novels and Eden* is definitely amongst their finest. Gameplay: It is a kinetic novel, so there is no interaction or branching storyline, but the plot is engaging and heartfelt. Graphics: The visuals are outstanding despite the age of the game and features plenty of cinematic style illustrations. Sound: The Japanese voice actors do a great job and the soundtrack is incredible.

A Hat in Time

A Hat in Time

Help Hat Girl retrieve the time pieces that fuel her spaceship in this colorful and charming 3D platformer. It is definitely a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre and offers a rip-roaring adventure across large, colorful levels. The hat swapping antics and the way in which the game constantly switches things up certainly makes for an engrossing experience. It is not without its flaws and could have benefited from a bit more polish, but what is on offer should definitely not be missed if you have fond memories of classic 3D platformers. Gameplay: Solid 3D platforming action and plenty of variety. Graphics: Bright, colorful and more than delivers on its promise of being “cute-as-heck.” Sound: The soundtrack is great and the game even features some nice voice acting.

Pinball FX3 – Williams™ Pinball: Volume 5

Pinball FX3 - Williams™ Pinball: Volume 5

Pinball FX3 - Williams™ Pinball: Volume 5 offers faithful digital recreations of Tales of the Arabian Nights, Cirqus Voltaire, as well as No Good Gofers. In addition to playing these tables just like the original hardware, you can also experience them in remastered form with updated visuals, no animated characters as well as other features that bring them to life. No pinball fan will want to miss out on these three tables and combined they offer many hours of fun. Gameplay: Great recreations of awesome pinball tables. Graphics: The tables look great, especially when playing the remastered versions. Sound: Very faithful to the original tables.

Leave a comment

17 − 6 =