I got to play one today as we'll. Spent two different sessions on it, all amounted to a couple of hours. I will preface by saying was not wow'd with initial pictures, not a trek fan and really can't stand the theme.
The game is so much better looking in person. For those of you who thought Metallica art was an exception and not the rule. Think again. This could be a new trend as I can't really find any photoshopped disasters. The game is all LED but it appears the trek symbol inserts are the only color changing premium style. The red, white, and blue LED are only in the back board from what I can see. The trek inserts are irradescent and look like old school rainbow tape, pretty cool. The one above the warp ramp is the same as the ones in the field.
When you think Stern is cost cutting everywhere; they come up with a couple element you might find on a B/W game. It's simple but the stacked clear plastics with meteors screened on them gave a great three dimensional effect. Couple this with the purple nebula plastics on the backboard giving depth and further dimension where the warp ramp goes behind the back board. A far cry from the Kraken or Mick on a stick.
The Playfield plays much different to me than SM. It has some SM elements that would have you think knockoff, but the geometry is way different. Ramps are in different positions and the warp ramp felt nothing like venom. The left ramp plays like 24 with a very slight incline and a lot of forgiveness. The warp ramp plays like HS super charger if you can get the timing down and you game is set up just right. The only thing is the ball gets going so fast and comes out with soo much spin it is tricky to get more than 4 loops in secession. The center portion take on a Lawlor feel with the different banks of stand ups flanking long center shots. The upper right flip will gets its workout. Each target bank has a purpose and doesnt just fill a space. The red targets play like pirates ones part dueax. They can send balls back with a vengeance. Ha, get it?
The lock shot on the left plays like MB meet CftBL kiss lane. Not an easy shot with a lot of risk to it. This continues the trend of different shots other than targets lower down the field and closer to the flippers. Add in the extended left side orbit and there is a lot on top of you on the left side. If your shot is not accurate to the orbit, you better have lightning reflexes. Going in I thought why is everyone getting so excited about a flasher under a spinner. I have to admit. It is a very satisfying shot and it is the light show. The MB feel continues with the single standup just to the right of the center ship shot. From what I could tell this was a way to add more time to the modes. Not sure how to qualify it. The Spidey sense shot is closer to the flipper and the entrance is about a half an inch larger and more forgiving. I can hit this multiple times in a game and feel like I meant to hit it. SM I always felt this shot was more luck than anything.
The modes all appear to play slightly different but the initial impression was it was shoot all JPs. The meat and patatos is there but the fluff is still absent. The one nuance I did catch is one mode starts out with 3 shots lit and adds another if you don't hit one. If you hit one the lit shots reduce by one until all are out, ala Rosie on ACDC?. The two main MBs is Kilngon and Vengence. Klingon lites all enterprise arrows. I think they strobed, flashed, solid on out for all main shots. Vengence was capture ball on magnet, knock it off ala Doc Ock , hit the ship and have a coil underneath fire the ball back at you. Not like BBH or Avatar. That ball is shot back at you.
I have to say I was thoroughly impressed. This game is I will play it when I see it and possibly own one day. It was not a I must have it now. That is still a huge accomplishment seeing that the theme sux.