yes, the right hand side is super tight. I like games that have at least one really super hard shot. DI, TWD, GB, or 3 of my favorites and each one has 1 really hard shot. I am probably going to be in on this game. There is a launch party here in Nashville soon and I will make my decision then.

Didn't Zach mention in the stream that he turned down the strength of the flippers?

He did but the ramp rejections I'm referring to aren't just Zach's. Every video I can find of the game play seems to indicate the same problem.

I need to watch the remaining but from what I've seen I love the sounds of the pops and the core music. Slings seem really good and love the trick shot. Orbit flow - love the orbits. The stiff animations and the poor voice acting all around (super cheesy) really take away from the package (for me). That video mode needs to be sped up 50% too. Excited to see more - thanks Zach.

I thought the animations were lacking but on a really, really good stream they look great. The detail is pretty good. You may just have to wait and see in person to make a final judgement.

The voice acting is outstanding. The voice actor studied what little recordings of Houdini exists. Have you ever heard a recording from that era? That’s how entertainers and actors sounded back then on the radio.

i watched the video last night, thanks, now i'm waiting for the game.

final judgment for the entire game will be reserved until I actually play it ; )

Animations choppiness is not due to the stream - they're made that way (acknlowedged by the dev as being the best they can do with size of the team, etc and we shouldn't expect JJP quality if I remember correctly). Some people actually like the way it looks - that's fine I just don't like that clip art feel. It feels cheap.

I heard the same about the actor - I just don't like that style and some of the other voices (for me) are just annoying. Campy is the best way I can describe it but not meaning to be so (like the cop that talks about the jail was meant for someone else but this will do - that fake accent is terrible).Along with the choppy animations, I'm big into sound/effect (think Alien sets the bar for these new games) and it would drive me crazy.

Wish I could have watched this stream live. Man it looks good. The animations are a little choppy but I still find the video really good. The art style is really cool, with nice little touches like the current ball. It just seems cohesive and well put together. Another pin company throwing the gauntlet down. This is great for everybody.

Big thanks for the stream. Game looks awesome, can't wait for your review.

Congratz on the twipy guys , well deserved!

Thanks for doing this! Game looks more fun every time I see it!

Greg Live on Demo Man! This evening 5:30pm eastern! http://www.twitch.tv/sdtmpinball.com

so watched the full video - thanks Zach for streaming as this game needs more coverage!

I continue to like the shots in this game. Has a cool layout, the shot that goes through the pop is nice and challenging and I like how somehow you can shoot the ball to the left yet somehow it still can manage to get to the stage. Use of magnets looks good too.

I'm not down with the constant countdowns (10, 9, 8 ) and the amount of text and speech that goes into each mode - seems like that can get very annoying after awhile.

The modes choppy art, speech and other things I mentioned takes this one off the radar for me but it looks like another solid new pin which is great to see.

btw - lights look like woz? cmon now son. haha

I understand what people are saying about the animation. The frame count is a little low on some. That being said, the art and video overall is still way better than you see on a Stern. It might not be a smooth as a JJP but it still has style and looks great. The theme integration is consistent and you can see the effort put in. Its not just a bunch of videos with a cheesy frame. Some of the art we see in Sterns movie pins is really bad.

I have to agree. The animations fit the theme and early 1900's era very well. "Smooth" animations is perhaps not what they were trying to achieve here.

Zach Zach Zach - where to start. First - I hope you stay the critic you've always been with pinball. I always appreciated how you called games out for their flaws and I completely understand how things can get a little complicated now with some of your behind the scene access with these developers (as it might be awkward to pick up Houdini, interview these guys and then be critical of the game) but I encourage you to maintain the balance. I hope this doesn't come off that I think you're holding back - I don't. I just think you're in the honeymoon phase with this game and missing some clearly off things. I hope you give it some time before doing the review.

As for your feedback, glad to read you feel the wordiness too. Verbose doesn't even begin to describe it. The length and dialogue would drive me insane after 20 games. The voices regardless if they are trying to be authentic, sound incredibly poor and cheap. Just my opinion but the voices alone in this game are an absolute disappointment. I do like the main music track.

The animation or choppiness is as clear as day. Now - you mentioned it's the same as Aerosmith - TOTALLY agree. That was garbage too. I don't like that style. Not to say everyone should find it bad - I just do.

btw - I forgot to mention, the pops in this game seem dead in your video. Maybe a setting option but I would love to see those things go from DE pops to Williams pops. They're one of the coolest things in the game.

Houdini translite is very nice - completely agree. Better than Alien? There isn't 1 thing in this game I've seen that is better but you're also talking about an absolute beast of a game in Alien. The polish on that game absolutely smokes this game - the problem with Alien though are the technical problems that seem to pop up which is a real bummer as it's an absolute gem. That's pinball though.

Zach is a straight shooter. If it's a POS he will call it a POS. Zach prior going to American Pinball stated this "You guys are brave having me go to your facility to do a review" He will call them out if he sees fit. They stated they stand behind there product so he proceeded. Zach is a great honest guy. He has bought lots of shit games in the past.
(Wrestlemania) I'm sure he will buy more unintentionally in the future. However he would never mislead his audience or anyone else that will listen to him. You state you do not want to come across offensive however I took it that way. Good dude. Great reputation that proves it. You disagree with his opinion of the game I get it.

If he says Houdini is good it does not mean that it is. It means that HE truly believes it is.

SDTM Pinball show. Best show in pinball!!!!!!!

Disclosure: Yes I'm a fan and a friend.

I played that machine the other night. It's pretty sweet! Thanks for letting me play it Zach.

I'm glad you don't get to pick the games I buy, lol. There's a stack of games I'd buy NIB right now over Alien....Houdini being one of them.

The suggestion that Zach is not being 100% truthful in stating his opinions here simply because you don't agree with him is pretty unfair. He and Greg both come across as straight shooters and I don't think they would sugar-coat a review or post misleading opinions to appease anyone.

I got a game on Houdini at the Tacoma show and put a few games on Alien at Flipout. Houdini felt way more polished fast and fun. Alien isn’t bad but it’s very utilitarian and plays like a wide body and not a good wide body like Dialed In. I would put Houdini ahead of Aliens in pretty much all categories. Maybe it’s too early to call reliability and construction but Alien clearly stumbled out of the gate.

Well most standard body games play like good wide bodies

Let Zack enjoy his new game. New pinball is always a great thing.

I’m not sure if I’m in the minority but I really like the animations. I feel like they fit the theme perfectly and add value for me. I was a history major in school so I also love the factoids. If the game is too wordy you can adjust it in the settings or hold the flippers to cancel it out so no big deal there. My only concern that has continued to trouble me is the tightness of the shots on the right side. I also trust Zach and Greg to be impartial so if they review it positively that’s good enough for me to stay in on it.

I think that Houdini looks amazing but the thing that scares me is that they are a new company. I want to see the games reliability before i would buy one and then i want to know that the company is a stable company. I want to feel good that i will be able to buy parts if something breaks down the road and if they dont stay in business you’re not going to be able to do that. Zach also clearly voiced his concerns about them being a new company in his gameplay video. Zach and Greg are both straight shooters and stand up guys and they are not going to tell someone that something is good and that you should buy it if they dont truly believe it themselves.

Oh man I knew this was going to happen. Jesus guys so sensitive. I did not accuse Zach of being dishonest. In fact I mentioned the same in my original post. Pinsider like ASOS i would expect such a reaction bc he's always dramatic and over the top but some others are defending the sdtm guys so I guess what I said was not clear.

I've supported those guys since day one. I can also be critical of this game while also praising for what it does well. Sorry you will always get no BS responses from me.

and yes I do love alien.

Anyway glad to see the game is coming out. No -not everyone needs to agree with me and yes I still love sdtm!

I would expect that from ASOA.

I will not derail this wonderful thread.

Nice Zach. You and I are passionate people about pinball. We keep it real though and I like that.

I'm happy that you're happy - just throwing out my opinion on the game and you have done the same. We'll have to disagree on this one which is perfectly fine - makes the world more interesting.

Polish is a word I'll use to describe Alien - maybe not HP! You'll fully understand once you own it. Maybe I'll better appreciate the flaws in Houdini when I play it a ton. Cheers

Thanks so much for the shirt guys! Love it. Wish USPS was more careful with there packages

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Well, I might possibly be going to the Ohio Pinball Show on March 22nd and I also believe that I will be going to Allentown Pinfest 2018. I don't necessarily need another flyer but it's just annoying on USPS's part. Thanks for including it by the way!

Hey man if we don’t see you soon I’ll send you another with cardboard backing to protectect it so it arrives flat!!!

Thanks Greg!

Just checking if it is Monday yet? Waiting on the new SDTM Pinball show. Review of the famous Houdini Pinball. Can't wait to hear what the guys think of this game. Everyone should watch this episode! The work that goes into doing one of these reviews is incredible. Countless hours of playing, filming, editing,driving,complaining all for people like us to get a real unbiased review of a game. I would just like to say Thank you to Zach & Greg for doing all of this for the pinball community.

You don’t have much longer!!! Hopefully up tonight! This one is deep!

When is this review happening guys? I’m excited to hear your thoughts

Hopefully tonight! If not late tonight first thing in the morning. It was a long edit!

Can't wait for this one guys!

Wait no more its here! Thanks guy's. Another amazing show!

That review was "TIGHT!". Big thanks for taking the time, truly an epic show. My only unsolicited critique is concerning the walk through. You may want to think about using your second camera to get closeups of the particular area on the PF that is being mentioned. Often we couldn't see what Josh or Joe were pointing to so it was a bit tough to follow. Otherwise, top notch!

Great video guys. Really liked the onsite overview and interviews along with the feedback. I find myself agreeing with Greg more and more. What is this world coming too! Zach dropping Houdini is better than ToM. Wow - Bold! You have my attention and I can't wait to drop some coin on this game. Hopefully it comes to Pittsburgh soon. Zach - that has to feel great having the game already and it's in your house. The game does look fun!

btw Zach - you mentioned you were wondering what else would they replace those stiff animations with. I can't speak for the person you were referring to but if it was up to me, it would be anything else! Seriously though, I would have gone with a dark theme that was animated properly and not broken/stiff. I'm thinking a Tim Burton like style and one that doesn't feel so jarring/cheap. As for believing this was done purposely, the dev confirmed to us awhile back that they just don't have the size that is required so if we're expecting JJP quality, that's not realistic. I forget which thread it was in but he replied to a number of us who were bringing up the same comment.

I think that backglass looks sweet too. Style of the cabs head is not my liking but maybe it will grow on me too.

Greg - pop quiz hot shot Alien or Houdini? What do you do? Are you going Houdini now if money was no option (you have 7k or 8k to spend and Alien works as expected - like mine does).....

Continuing with money as not a factor in choosing which pin to buy, Houdini or JJ Pirates? It seems you think Pirates is still the better game - but the price pushes you to Houdini? I don't think a lot of people can buy them both.