spawn622

Pinball FX 2 really isn't a game unto itself. It is a free base of the game that allows you to try each table before you buy them. This sounds weird, but in this case it really does work. If you test out a table and decide you like it, go buy it. Also, if you have the first Pinball FX your tables import over in to the new shell and they get a graphical and physics upgrades. Tweaks are found throughout the multiplayer and the competitiveness of the leader boards really does make the game shine. While playing, you get updates on who is the best among your friends on each table. If you're getting close to beating a friends score, you get a countdown as to how many more points you need to beat them. Along with the ever growing amount of achievements (Which, if you're like me, you compare these just like a scoreboard.) there are a couple of other types of scores to try and outdo your buddies. Superscore is your cumulative score across all the tables. Pinball Wizard is a combination of your Superscore along with your friends' Superscores. There's also hot seat multiplayer and split-screen multiplayer. This game is literally jam packed with features. Game play in Pinball FX 2 is flawless. Each table has its own feel and the licensed tables are very well done. Tables ranging from Street Fighter II, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Marvel superheroes all capture the aesthetic of the characters. The Marvel tables include a table each for Spider-Man, Wolverine, Iron Man, and Blade (With an all new Fantastic Four table coming soon). All of which are extremely fun and really are what sold me on the game. The original tables are really fun as well. Ranging from a Roman theme to super secret spies and a ton more, they are all varied enough that if you get tired of one, it is easy to exit out and go to a different table and start the fun all over again. With new tables releasing frequently, they all do very well to keep you coming back for more. The recently released Mars table is one of the best yet. Plenty of "missions" to complete and new achievements to try and get, the Mars table feels like none of the others offered to date. As I'm sure you can tell from everything you've read, I really enjoyed Pinball FX 2. As a gamer who has never really enjoyed pinball, this game does a great job of selling you and making you feel like you're really standing at a machine pumping quarters in to get a higher score than your friends. Graphics are amazing for each table and do well to keep things interesting. Going in I was hesitant to get in to the game, but once I started playing, I had numerous late nights trying to beat my friends’ scores. Good job Pinball FX 2 and Zen Studios for turning this non-pinball fan in to a pinball junkie. Head over to the Xbox Live Marketplace and try out Pinball FX 2.

Overall story is nonexistent here. You are a ship that is set loose in a puzzle with fairly straightfoward tasks. Light the stars, collect the items, or cross the line before the time runs out. It sounds simple, but once you get going in the level, controls are limited to attaching to posts around the level and using momentum as your control. Zero gravity also play a big roll here. Once you get going, you can't stop without attaching to the posts. There is a map of the level that shows a top down view of the map to see where your missing pieces of the puzzle. Also, you can freely view the map to further explore missing pieces. Over 50 levels of play, concepts for each one are introduced throughout and then thrown together in later levels. There are also upgradees for your ship, such as shields or weapons that will come in handy as tougher enemies are introduced. The main key to the game is it's target times for each level. The game is strangely addicting and you'll find yourself going back to earlier levels to try and beat your own time. Eventually you'll be hooked enough to try and beat the par time for each level, which in most cases are really diabolical. They will keep you wondering how in the world you are supposed to get through the level in those short times. StarDrone is a fun game. For some it may not be your cup of tea, but you can easily see the charm for those that get truly hooked. Playstation Move controls really bring a new aspect to the game that PC gamers didn't get to experience. With over 50 levels, tight controls, and a huge amount of replay value this is a really good value for a fairly inexpensive game.

This would initially seem like a negative, however after the palette swapping and redundant move sets that was rampant in part 2, this time around each character has their own play style and move sets. This translates to a ton of play variety and no two characters play the same. Almost anyone can find a character that will just "feel right" to play and almost every character is well balanced. Speaking of move sets, the controls in the game are extremely well balanced. There are 2 control schemes available. One is the "Simple" controls. This limits your move set but makes them extremely easy to pull off with just the press of a button. Also, Hyper Combos can be achieved with multiple button presses. This truly does simplify the game to the point of being cheap as hell. This scheme would be great if it was limited to local only play, but you can take it online and literally watch your win/loss percentage skyrocket. Hopefully Capcom will realize this and put in some limitations on this scheme being used online. The "Standard" controls have been re-tooled to work better with a standard console controller. There are 4 main attack buttons, down from the usual 6. Light, Medium, Heavy, and the new "Launcher" buttons are all mapped to the face buttons on the controller. The right and left bumpers and triggers are used for calling in partners and pulling off Hyper Combos. This redesign really takes some time to get used to for MvC fans, but after a few matches you realize it truly is a better console design. My favorite change is the air combo starter is the same for all characters, which is truly a godsend. Graphics and sound are truly the most impressive in the series. The Street Fighter IV-esque view really works well to give the game a good depth. Anyone that has seen and loved the almost seizure inducing visuals of the Marvel Vs Capcom series won't be disappointed with this one. Colorful moves and insane Hyper Combos have been a series mainstay, but have been amped up to 11 in this latest edition. Remixed songs from throughout the series are really great and sound amazing through a good surround sound. Also, voice acting is pretty stellar and the option to use the Japanese voices for the Capcom characters is a really nice touch. Story mode for each character is told with a comic book panel style ending which really works well in my view. Some may be sad that there are no fully voice acted video endings, but I'm okay with this omission as it gives the game a more comic book feel. There are subtle touches throughout the game that you may not even notice at first. Hearing Phoenix scream out for Scott when she is taken down or hearing Magneto say Wolverine is lucky he didn't pull the adamantium out of his body again really go a long way to give a cohesive feel to the game and the Marvel and Capcom universes. Now, we'll move in to the main issues I have with the game, the online lobby system. I can't say the online play is bad at all. No dropped frames, no lag, etc. However, the 8 person lobby system really needs an overhaul. Basically, 2 players start the match and the winner stays to fight the next person. This is easily trying to mimic the "next quarter up" feel of an arcade. While the concept is great it could really benefit from allowing the waiting players to watch the fight happening. That's right, if you are 8th in line, you sit and wait. This is honestly pretty boring. Why not allow 3 on 3 play as well? Let each player pick their favorite character and start up a huge battle royal? Also, a replay system would be great to watch back your own matches or even the top ranked players' matches. For fans of the series, this game will be a godsend. Tight controls, great sound, and amazing visuals make everything come together to give us almost everything we wanted. However, a few missteps may turn off some of the more fair-weather fans to the series. Simple controls make the game way too easy and some issues with the online play really should be addressed. Those few quibbles aside, I really recommend this game to fighting game and comic book fans. So, until next time my fellow gaming fans I say this...EXCELSIOR!