Back when IMVE was released around 18 months ago I was looking at either IM or Met pro. At the time, I saw many aspects that appeared similar.

My decision came down to a few aspects: theme was the main factor as I love the movies, love the movie quotes and callouts in IM. Another factor was that I could not determine if I'd like Met pro or Premium.

At the time I picked IM, love the rules and the flow and love to play it probably as much as any pin I can think of.

But I never lost track of Metallica and reading all the positive reviews kept my eyes out for one which I got on New Year's Day.

So looking at the two I thought I'd give my impressions where they're similar and different. I'll give my opinion (advantage one or the other or tie).

-Both have up posts in the usual position, controlled on Met but not on IM (Met)
- Both have twin roll over in the same position ties to three rollover in the in lane (tie)
- Both have pops in the same position that feed center or right orbit (tie)
- IM has the addition of an inner loop to feed the pops from the center spinner with an additional up post. I'm a BIG fan of inner loops (IM)
- Both have two standard right left orbits but IM has spinners (IM)
-Both have two ramps that feed the opposite flippers, Met metal and etched, IM has plastic ramps that extend past the back wall and has up/down action both of which which I like. (Tie)
- Met ramps are steeper and harder to hit more satisfying, IM you can hit easily by accident (Met)
- both have area/toy on the outside of the left ramp
---- grave drop targets, magnet and cross
---- War Machine kickback
I like both but (Met)
- Both have toys to the inside of the right ramp.
---- captive ball / snake
----- Whiplash
I like both but (Met)
-Both have center area bash type figures Sparkey or Iron Monger plus tough center shot spinner (IM strong win).
- Left side Fuel target and Fuel lane or 4 stand ups for IM (MET)
- right side has mystery scoop or 3 stand up targets (Met)
-Both have 4 stand ups picks or drones, I prefer the Drones (IM)
Flippers, in lanes and out lanes (tie)
-Dots (Met)
-Music (Met)
-Sound effects and callout (IM)

-Rules this is very hard for me to judge overall Met is the clear winner because the rules are longer, more complex, more to do.

IM lacks a true skill shot, lacks some in the polish and lacks some of the overall greatness. It's rules are good, but IMO there are a few things that I think could be added without making it into Tspp type game. I'd be happy with Tron type rules. I mean the same basic IM rules it has but with a bit more depth like Tron. Overall though (Met)

-Layout about a tie but I'll give a slight advantage to Met because it has a bit more to do like Fuel (Met)
-Art subjective but overall Met wins (I like cabinet and backglass on IM) but PF on Met wins this whole category (Met)
-Fun to play (tie)
-Lighting (Met) due to the better GI.

Seems like Met wins more categories, but IM is close (even when it doesn't win) so that they're about tie in my book, I give the overall win to Met for better rules and PF artwork and maybe overall more content (BOM). IM is undone by its poor dot animations and its somewhat incomplete rules (no skill shot, less achievements etc).

I like to see how a similar look/layout can lead to a different feel.

I first look at the top rollover switches and pops are almost identical including being tied to the inlanes. I like inner loops that Met is missing.

I just disabled the upper post on IM, makes a big difference. I endorse that recommendation.

I avoided Met due to the music as well. Turns out it's not *that bad* and I'm changing out 4 songs to NIN which I prefer.