Quoted from Aurich:My personal take, nobody needs to get mad and tell me to suck their dick if they don't agree this time, chill.
Black Knight: Great media presentation, strong music, best LCD Stern has done yet, good art, just a complete feeling package. Not an original theme, but a new chapter in a beloved trilogy, just an overall well presented idea. Props to Stern for the no license approach, even if it's a familiar them. I dig the metal vibe, realize it won't be for everyone, not family friendly if that's a concern. Haven't flipped it, but purely from the stream the playfield looks kinda boring. Not bad, just not that interesting, not a ton to do. Might still be fun in a brutal way. Overall the gameplay part that matters seems a little empty and dull though. Pinball isn't LCDs and themes, it's the ball, and this feels like a B effort from The King. That makes me feel eh at the end of the day.
Wonka: Weak package to me, the art is the slot machine/DVD looking phoned in (the standard cab just gets a logo, seriously?), the music is not appealing to me, LCD looks okay but kinda blah by JJP standards, which are high (JP has done killer work on all the previous games). The movie feels dated to me, and the LCD doesn't seem to leverage it that much, which is half good half bad. Family friendly if you care. Playfield looks fun, 4 flippers, magnets, Lawlor touches, definitely more to do. I'd love to flip it, why the heck not, but no interest in it just based on theme.
I'd take the Wonka playfield with the Black Knight package over it, that might move my needle. As it is I say neither wins, because there are better options out there already. Why spend your money on this if you haven't already owned all the better existing games? And if you own them all who cares, you've got more money than me, do whatever you want, I don't care. Buy them both you rich bastard lol.
It's not like any of us have to buy a new game just because it comes out. Force companies to earn your money, pass on the weaker efforts, don't be a cheerleader for companies.
You pretty much nailed it on this one, at least as far as first impressions can go without playing them.
I do think JJP did a fantastic job of integrating the Wonka theme into the playfield and the whole "world under glass" aspect. The game looks fantastic and has that "pop" for sure. People complaining about the theme, what did you expect a Willy Wonka theme'd game to be like?? Anyway, I'm sure this will do well for JJP over time and fits right in next to Woz in their product line. I can't wait to play it, but have come to terms that all my NIB purchases have been high intensity games with awesome soundtracks (MET, TNA, IMDN). I also seem to like shorter playing, simpler, high intensity games in my lineup. Having said that, there's always room for something different. The sound design on this game probably isn't going to do much for me though.
Mega kudos for the lower price point Standard Edition game! This is a HUGE move for JJP and one I appreciate.
BKSoR hits all my trigger buttons on paper at least, in-your-face METAL soundtrack, sound effects, and art/animations. The game seems to be a somewhat brutal short-ball time shooter which also appeals to me. I'm a big BK fan so the nostalgia aspect is a win here too. Buuuuut, I hate the right flipper heavy nature of the PF and low number of shots/things to do. Looking forward to playing one to get a better idea of the actual "fun" factor. The Knight toy is cool but not sure it's really doing much. So conflicted at this point. I WANT to love this game...
All in though how amazing is it that in 2019 we have two solid new games from Steve Ritchie and Pat Lawlor going head-to-head?!