We’ve covered a wide variety of Pinball FX2 tables in the past and I think we all know how pinball works, the challenge is bringing something new to the table, no pun intended. This is a challenge to which Zen have masterfully risen. Introducing an innovative RPG element, Epic Quest is a very different gaming experience.
Epic Quest is the latest pinball table to hit Pinball FX2 and we join Max the Knight on his flipper-flappin’ adventures to battle evil monsters, rescue the beautiful princess and grab as much gold and loot as he can carry.
The Epic Quest table itself operates much like any other, it’s a simple two flipper layout with a couple of twists; The Orcanium, for example. When you launch the ball or hit the right lane, it will roll into an area top left of the table. Hit the secondary flipper to roll it down a track into the Orcanium. Here, you use the flipper buttons to drop the ball through holes to unlock spells or mini boss fights.
You also unlock boss fights by hitting a certain lane and racking up enough hits, defeating the enemies (by hitting highlighted lanes) gives you the change to unlock new loot items. There are three types of loot item; yellow for common items, blue for better items and purple for those epic items.
As Max’s level increases, so does your chance of finding epic items. These loot items will stay with you across games and the appearance of Max is altered accordingly. My Max, for example, is currently wielding a flaming axe and wearing a slightly damaged horned helmet…
You also earn XP in Epic Quest, by completing missions and hitting certain shots. Your XP is shown on a red bar, underneath the flippers. Reaching a certain amount of XP, which like loot carries across games, will cause Max to level up.
Your level determines the following:
- Hit Point base (HP), includes damage base and opponent hit point and damage base
- The value of loot (the score when selling unused items)
- Chance of encountering a monster with elemental resistance / weaknesses
- Chance of finding an epic item
- Rank: Minor Knight → Knight → High Knight → Champion → Monster Hunter → Golden Knight → Arch Knight → Veteran Looter → Epic Hero
- Jackpot value of Princess Multiball
- Ball out bonus (XP bonus)
- Amount of XP required to hit the next level
The visuals are a particular treat. Max is a great, cartoony character and the table itself is bright, colourful and well animated. The Orcanium boss fights are accompanied by some fun theatre moments and the Dot Matrix style announcements are very nicely done. The audio is great too with jaunty music and some funny comments from Max. Look out for “I’ve not yet BEGUN to lose” which makes me chuckle every time.
In summary, it’s a pinball table. It’s fun, fast and frantic and works exactly as a pinball table should. There’s only so much to say about that. The innovation here is in the RPG element and that takes Epic Quest up a notch, creating a truly unique game experience which is tons of fun.
The only real complaint? Frustration. The ball can be a tad erratic and flies so fast at times that you’ve no chance of hitting it. Having said that, I never was any good at pinball…
Epic Quest for Pinball FX2 is scheduled for release on the XBLA on 15th February.
