I like my FT. I've played a fair amount of those games... FT just happens to be my favorite of the bunch. YMMV.

FT to me isn't deep... but it is reasonably difficult to score high while feeling fun and accessible to guests.

It isn't a great substitute but try playing a few on virtual pinball and see what your impressions are. Keep in mind that some of the pins aren't implemented perfect so don't play the best.

It is my only pin right now and I'm really happy with the choice. My wife liked it as well and the theme is family friendly so that all went into my decision... along with the price obviously. I would like to get more pins eventually but for now it is fun and difficult enough for me. That said, I'm not very good at pinball in general but my skills have been improving since owning this one.

You can boil any game down to "it's just this or that." So yeah, you can say all you need is a couple super jackpots in multiball and you're the grand champion. Well, try doing that. If you've achieved that... then yeah... maybe move on from FT.

You have to hit the "long cast" to light the options in the boat and then collect them with a shot that can often drain STDM. The long cast isn't always lit... so you have to make it once or make the boat ramp to light it. "Rock the Boat" just is fun once you hit the ramps over and over. The extra ball shot is satisfying.

I don't usually play for the other objectives like Monster Fish and Feeding Frenzy but they pop up during the normal course of play that you have to go for them... and since they're hurry up they're hard to collect sometimes under pressure.

So you do all that... plus get a game that is easy and fun for novices to hop on and bang away at the boat or wherever.... and possibly the best video mode in pinball.

But play it... everyone has different opinions. My next game will hopefully be something deeper like TZ, LOTR, or TSPP to complement it.