Quoted from 27dnast:I’m thinking long and hard about bringing an OF into my collection. I’ve played the game once (Allentown).
Sell me on it!
Gotta start off with the really unique layout. This is not a game where all the shots are in exactly the same location as 3 other games in a collection. You've got closer shots, farther shots, 3 (at least) shots off the upper flipper, an orbit that transforms into a ramp, tons of targets to shoot for, and even a third slingshot. (And one of the modes rewards you for intentionally shooting that extra slingshot!) You've also got the cool MagNab feature that gives you TWO player controlled diverters -- and the button to control them is in comfortable reach of your right flipper finger! 
Oktoberfest is truly a "never play it the same way twice" sort of game. You can collect an infinite number of steins that stack on each other to transform the game. Sometimes it's fun to go "all in" on one stein, max it out and try to really blow up one feature of the game. The next game you might prefer to spread action around to different steins to get more of a balance of scoring opportunities. These choices become extra fun when you're competing against other people who are familiar with the game, because you might look at the choices that someone is making and think "huh, how's that gonna work out?" ... and then (assuming they execute on it well 
) a whole new approach to the game unfolds before you. Then you need to figure out if the strategy you had planned will be enough to counter your opponent's approach, or if you need to change things up.
You know that feeling on a game when you've been carefully setting up the perfect stack of a mode + a multiball + a frenzy + 2X scoring, and it's all right where you want it, then you make the key shot(s) to start it all up and points are flying and it feels great? That's what Oktoberfest is all about from the first launch of a ball... setting up the right opportunities, lighting the fuse when ready, and making your plan all come together.
Of course, you don't have to be a chess master to enjoy the game. There's a ton of tents (modes) and features that use every part of the playfield and are really fun to shoot, and anyone can have a great time just following the time-honored "shoot the flashing lights" strategy. But IMHO, especially when you have the game in your home and you can play it every day, it's really the steins that elevate the game from a solid "modes + multiballs" game into something unlike any other pin.
And last but not least: one handed mode. It is a hilarious party game to switch Oktoberfest to one-handed mode (where both flippers are activated from the right-side buttons). Pretty much no one has practice playing pinball that way, so it's a lot of fun when you have players of all skill levels trying to master this new insanity. Bonus points if you are actually holding a stein full of good beer in your left hand while you play, as we intended when designing that. 
Have I convinced you yet? I can keep this up all night... 
Hopkins, MN
Marseille
