The folks at Zen Studios never seem to rest, constantly pumping out a new batch of pinball tables for Pinball FX2. I’m still somewhat of a newcomer to the world of virtual pinball, but identifying the good and the bad isn’t difficult. After playing Ms. Splosion Man Pinball, I was excited to try my hand at Marvel Pinball: Vengeance and Virtue. Much to my dismay, this pack of pinball tables (Ghost Rider, Thor, X-Men and Moon Knight) didn’t impress. Not claiming to be a pinball wizard, I found all four of these Marvel-themed tables to be rather boring — not in terms of style and animation, but in design. In fact, the themes, animations and overall presentation are all great. It’s easy to tell Zen put a lot of effort into creating the perfect atmosphere for each franchise. That said, it seems that’s where all the development effort was focused. The table design is mundane and unoriginal, which surprised me, considering the usual quality Zen is known for. Oddly enough, the more I liked a specific franchise, the more boring that table was.
From the foursome, Thor and the X-Men are the most recognizable. They’re also the dullest, like playing Pong in slow motion. With little to interact with on either table, it feels as though I’m playing an uninspired game of racquetball for one. Even when building tension and releasing the plunger, ball release is unsatisfying. There’s little energy in these tables, which virtually kills the experience. Perhaps I’m ruined by my time with Ms. Splosion Man Pinball, which erupted with action and energy, but I expected more.
Ghost Rider and Moon Knight fared better, though neither jolted me with merriment. I’m not saying this pack of pinball tables is bad. In fact, I’m likely a tad overcritical because of my high expectations. All four tables are visually pleasing, but none pack a punch. Apart from that, Zen Studios offers great fan service with all licensed pinball tables. Unfortunately, that can’t make up for the severe lack of inspiration in table design in Marvel Pinball: Vengeance and Virtue.
