Android Reviews

Zen Studios continue to bring Marvel to life with the Zen Pinball THD Marvel Civil War table. Zen is known for doing their homework, adding great easter eggs, and creating functional Marvel themed tables.

The visuals of the Civil War table are immediately apparent. The use of cool temperature colors helps to blend our two different factions into the table aesthetics. Captain America surprisingly opposes the Mutant Registration Act and Iron Man is forced to support the controversial law after The Stamford Incident occurs. The table runs perfectly on the Nvidia Tegra 2 Processor with the enhanced visuals.

Conceptually Civil War hits on the points you want to see when it comes to a Marvel table. Actions taken on the table help to dictate what sides the “on the fence” super hero’s take.

The problem with the Civil War table is the flow of the action. The table starts with a recreation of The Stamford Incident that kicks off the events of Civil War. The instance abruptly stops if you lose one of the two multi-balls that you’re given to start the game. The table is oddly shaped and ramps tend to fling the silver balls directly between the flippers, or alternatively out of play elsewhere. It’s very hard to get into any kind of rhythm and really enjoy your time with the table.

The final verdict rests on the fact that I just didn’t find the table enjoyable. When it comes to video games I typically appreciate the experience rather than the graphics or concept. Zen Studios typically doesn’t miss when it comes to the form and function of their tables but, they may have tried to stuff too much story and eye candy into this table to focus on what brings them to the (pinball) table.

+Gorgeous mobile visuals

+Fantastic concept

+Great list of characters and events

-A misstep in table design

-Flow and rhythm of the table are sadly undercut

-A surprising lack of fun

Review Score: 7/10

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Zen Pinball THD is a beautiful, functional Android mobile game. It runs impressively smooth on my Asus Transformer 300T on Nvidia’s Tegra II. The best part of Zen Pinball is the attention to detail and functionality of the tables. Zen Studios is known for taking Third Party properties and bringing them to life in amazing fashion.

The World War Hulk table has been in the Google Play store since November 2012 but, I have just started with the THD titles and this is a brilliant example of next generation mobile gaming. When playing Zen Pinball THD on a tablet it feels and runs exactly the same as when playing on the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 Consoles.

World War Hulk follows the story of The Hulk being exiled into space and landing on an alien world and made compete in gladiator tournaments. The table chronicles this event and the Aftermath of The Hulk’s return to Earth with his Warbound in toe. The subtle references to The Punisher War Journal, The Avengers: Initiate, and Iron Man are great and help to sculpt the action happening on the table. As always Zen throws in it’s signature “instances” or events that unfold during your time on the table.

World War Hulk is a gorgeously realized table that is a great addition to the already strong Zen Pinball THD for Android library. The only downside to the table seems to be the somewhat easily repeated events and not as many “boss battles” as other tables.

9.8/10

+Gorgeous visuals

+Great form and function

+Fantastic story references

-Not quite as much event depth as some other tables.

182 total views, 14 views today