Pinball FX

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Feb 21, 2023
    80
    Pinball FX is a top-tier pinball game with some growing pains inherent in switching development platforms. Having to re-buy your favorite tables is a pain, but considering these represent the best versions of dozens of tables, it is a good value overall. The Pinball Pass is Zen Studios’ first attempt at something approaching a season pass, but thankfully it is not required and you can simply purchase the tables that you prefer using regular money. The core game remains solid, and hopefully Pinball FX is supported by Zen Studios into the next generation of consoles.
  2. Gaming Nexus
    Feb 21, 2023
    80
    There is no getting around the fact that Zen is the best in the business when it comes to creating (and recreating) pinball tables in the digital space. The new Pinball FX is a solid package with several new ways to play your tables. That said, this is a platform, not a game, and your experience will vary depending on your level of investment in tables. New modes and interfaces are nice, but the game still aches a bit from what could have been.
  3. PlayStation Country
    Feb 21, 2023
    70
    Pinball FX plays pinball as brilliantly as you'd expect but the economics behind it can feel greedy and, in terms of polish and performance, Pinball FX 3 feels little sharper and is nicer to look at as it stands, so the motivation to rebuy your old favourite tables isn't really there yet.
  5. Push Square
    Mar 2, 2023
    60
    The slight input lag and dark visuals are disappointing, but Pinball FX has so much content that pinball fans will struggle not to find the fun here. The biggest problem with this package is its messy monetisation: the developer can’t decide whether to lean on its subscription-style Pinball Pass or traditional DLC, and its hybrid approach is neither here nor there really. When you consider that no previously purchased content carries across, it’s hard to recommend reinvesting so heavily here – especially when, even with all the bells and whistles, the core nuts-and-bolts of playing many of these tables remains the same as in past games.
  6. Video Chums
    Feb 21, 2023
    60
    Pinball FX offers excellent pinball fun but I can only recommend it to those who are new to the series because fans will certainly be disappointed with its lackluster features. Plus, the fact that they'll have to buy everything again is frankly inexcusable.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
0.3

Overwhelming dislike- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 10 out of 10
  1. DCJY
    Mar 12, 2023
    0
    Too dark and can't import my previously bought tables. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Also they stole my coins from the early access version.
  2. Aeni
    Feb 25, 2023
    2
    A cash grab no one asked for. You cannot import your old tables; you have to rebuy all of them at full price without any noticeableA cash grab no one asked for. You cannot import your old tables; you have to rebuy all of them at full price without any noticeable improvements over Pinball FX3. The biggest letdown are the nerfed upgrades and removal of the rewind power as well as some beloved challenge modes. But hey, now you can buy a pinball pass... Trophies are also massively downgraded, no more "one trophy per table" list. There are 10 trophies tied to the game now, that's it.

    Massive disappointment for fans of the old Zen Games. Download Pinball FX3 instead.    … Full Review »
  3. Otherside
    Feb 18, 2023
    0
    NOT worth "upgrading" from FX3. Balls are light and way too fast. Sound effects are absolutely abysmal. Very uninspired sound. Choose betweenNOT worth "upgrading" from FX3. Balls are light and way too fast. Sound effects are absolutely abysmal. Very uninspired sound. Choose between "ray tracing" for "better" lighting or choose performance for better shadows and resolution. What does that even mean. You'd need eagle eyes to spot any difference between the two.

    It's basically a remaster. No cabinet mode for console. TOO MANY Marvel and Star Wars tables. Absolute waste of time money and talent to make these tables in a new engine. Some tables look worse than FX3 and most play worse as well.

    Trash game. Trash sound. Trash physics. Waste of money. Waste of talent to remake these tables. Trash.    … Full Review »
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