I think the code on TWD has gotten to a point where this question can be asked now. HUGE wall of text coming.
With all these mumblings of SM VE, I feel like the game is finally in my budget. I don't care if the rumors are true or not, but that has helped put the game in my "OK to purchase" territory. Here's a list of my pros and cons of each title (of course entirely subjective). I'm hoping those with both games (or a bunch of time on each) can weigh in.
Please note - this is not a SM VE thread. This isn't a "just buy TWD because it's available now". If SM VE were to be announced today, my questions would still remain.
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SM Pros
Wonderful flow - considered one of the best flow games out there
Obvious mode progression - the inserts make it very obvious how close you are to the wizard mode, although it's NOT as obvious how to start/finish these modes when you're playing (at least not immediately)
Great stacking - one of the most rewarding things ever is to go from a few million to 50m because you had one sick crazy stack session
Highly competitive - I don't think it's a one ball game like POTC, but I could be wrong
Doc Ock and Sandman - I really love the TRON reveal and Doc Ock modes
Theme - very family friendly and recognizable
Code - proven and overall very enjoyable
SM Cons
Dots - "realistic" dots are kind of hit or miss
Skewed playfield - not a real con, but ~2/3 of the game is fit in the back chunk of the playfield
Depth - one of my more major issues...The game gets played the exact same way every time I watch a tourney. There doesn't appear to be a lot of variation on the best way to play this game. Kind of contradicts the above Pro, but for a home environment, I have to comment.
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TWD Pros
Unique layout - not like anything else I can really put my finger on
Playfield is full - kind of like my "not really a con" above, but there appears to be more shots within the entire field
Bash toy - I love bash toys! The well walker reminds of Wolverine, but not as in you face or playfield inhibiting. Also the Prison is kind of awesome.
Theme - I don't like the show, but I enjoyed the first 100-110 issues of the comic. It got a bit "samey" after a while, but I love zombies.
Highly competitive - it's fresh, it's new, it's a Stern. That means it will be in all the coming Sternaments (Sternoments?). That ALSO means it will be picked apart like mad (which is a good thing).
Dots - I love the classic non-show/movie dot thing.
TWD Cons
Pro vs Premium/LE - the ultimate debate. Unless I can get a Premium for $5500 or less, I have to go Pro on this one. With the additional features on the Premium/LE (2nd magnet, bicycle girl ramp, crossbow, bombs, fishtank, Woodbury drop), I am a bit concerned with what's "missing".
Sound - I know an LE replacement is in the works, but I don't think the Pro has one yet. I don't care about the show, but the voices could use some fine tuning.
Progression - I have played an LE on location a bunch and enjoyed it. This was a few months ago before major code updates. I wasn't really sure how my progression towards the wizard mode was at the time, and I really like that progression mechanic of games.
Theme - zombies, blood and guts. Not the most kid/family friendly theme. It's a pro to me, but it could be a con to visitors. How violent is it really on the DMD?
Depth - is the game shallow? Again, I haven't played enough of the Pro OR Premium/LE to make that call. From what I've seen in tourney play, the approach seems a lot more organic than something like SM, but it could have just been because people didn't really know the game yet.
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Comments!
My assessment of the two games is based on ~20-30 games on each. I enjoy games with pretty obvious "progression" mechanics, but it's not a must have thing. My main concern with SM is something I've noticed and have read before - it's somewhat straightforward. It's not a fact as much as it's an observation. I imagine it can be played towards the wizard mode, but I've not seen that approach taken ever, so I don't know what that "looks like".
I've not played a TWD Pro, so the differences are hard for me to weigh in on. Indiana is dry in terms of location pinball - the best place to play is Mainstreet Amusements. The problem (first world problems, mirite?) is that he has Premium/LE titles...It's hard to really get a fair assessment of Pro games because of this. The art and theme of this are a bit of a turnoff from a youth perspective, but at the same time, I don't know how bad it REALLY is. MET drops f-bombs and such, but many would consider TWD to be a more mature game than MET.
The other big question in my mind for TWD (outside of the Premium/LE debate) is how the game plays in a home environment from a depth and progression standpoint. I love how unique and interesting the layout is - asymmetric layouts are fun. I also love how the game appears to take advantage of the playfield and forces you to shoot all over it - also bash toys. But in the games I've played on TWD LE, I am not entirely sure what I was doing. Mind you, this was on a very low code version, so things may have changed a LOT. The new code seems to have people dancing for joy, and that's a nice change of pace for this title.
I could go on and on and on regarding my thoughts towards each and argue out loud like a crazy person. Instead, I'd love to get some opinions of you guys and which you like and why. Or maybe why you DON'T like certain aspects/features of one title or another. I do appreciate it.
Also, there is no tl;dr version of this - there's a lot to digest in my post.