Initial impressions (for me at least after only a few games), is that it's cool, but same old mission after mission. Don't be fooled.
Once you get it all figured out and realize Vengeance, Klingon multiball, warp ramp etc, you see that there's a lot going on after all.
Lots of fun so far! (day 2 and counting)

Yup. This is Stern's flashiest pin by far. Best? Remains to be seen. Can't imagine it'll rival ACDC but these are my two top picks at the moment.

What about replacing the white GIs in the slings with blue?

No, even after it crashes, it's still far enough above the playfield that you can't hit the ship itself.

Hey Dave, have you seen all 18 modes yet?
Just curious cause you're arguing that they're not different.
I know for a fact that the second time you fight the Vengeance, it shoots balls back at you fast. Very different from the first battle. First round of modes also time out after 30 seconds. From what I understand, that doesn't happen after the first round.
I'm still learning though.

Thanks for sharing all those details Les.
I was curious as to what they could do to differentiate the modes.
It'll be interesting to see if they do something like this.
Fingers are crossed.

While I love my STLE, I agree with Les. I don't feel that the current code makes the modes feel much different from one another. Level 2 and 3 are different from level 1 modes, but do you know which ramps/shots are lit for Nero, vs Destroy the Drill?
I think it would be awesome to mix it up a bit if possible.
I don't know how they're going to do that unless they have you focus one 1-2 shots per mode though, like LOTR.

What I'm dying to know is how complete so they consider the current code?
I could see them saying: "Enjoy, cause we're done!" But would love to see them flush out the individual modes to give them all a little more personality.

While I'm making wishes, I'd also like to make the Warp Ramp shot way more often!

Edwin I agree with you. The game is great as is BUT imagine if Stern improved on the individual modes as Les has pointed out.
We could have a modern day, LOTR.
That would be even better than what we have currently, no?

So far, I think my fav mode is Klingon Battle, 2nd stage.
Each time you hit a ramp, the corresponding Klingon gets shot on the DMD.
In my opinion, it's this kind of tie-in that needs to be implemented in all the modes.
Of course, it might already be there. I can't really afford to spend much time looking up when playing.
: (

The code is great given it's Day 1. If they never updated it, it would be considered "complete" from everything I've seen.
That being said, this pin should go from Great to Incredible with a code update that improves the modes.

I am. The bones in this game are fantastic. -and that's not something you can improve with code.
Still, if others have played it and aren't blown away, I expect it's modes that play too much alike. And I expect even that will be fixed with time.

"Beware of imitators! Cheap knock-offs don't include a special circuit to prevent burn-out, without which your projector could die after just a few hours of use!"

-Guess we'll see how much Stern spent on these in a week or two.
; )

I believe it's just lit to tell you that for the remainder of that ball, that either ramps, bumpers, or spinner is worth extra.
It's not a wizard mode or anything.

Yup. Any 3 in a row or 3 of the same mode (all 3 levels).
No clue about completing all of level 2 or 3.
With the exception of 1 full game and 1 ball of a different game, this pin kicked my ass all night.
So frustrating when you're in the mood for pinball but it's not in the mood for you.

So far, I've found Vengeance multiball, Klingon multiball, and after completing all the modes first levels, the first mini wizard mode:Kobayashi Maru multiball. Guessing you mean that one.
Klingon multi is awesome. You have to complete each shot twice, then hug Vengeance I think, in order to see the roving ship/target.

Yeah, the sounds, quotes/call outs, and music are phenomenal.
People blast Stern for using licences and not doing anything original but they have amazing multi-million dollar movies to draw on for sound etc.
can't wait for the speech pack. That part will only continue to improve.

Shots are in weird places? How so?

A McCune thumbs up!
...and all across the universe, there was rejoicing!

Glad to see you're enjoying it as much as the rest of us are.

Had a multiball start, and three balls exit the pops.
I hit them 1,2,3 in a row ALL up the warp ramp!
(Unfortunately, that was the only good thing that happened that game)

Wish I was closer.
: )

Then shouldn't she be the one to move the pin up there?

That's like 2 times my best score.
You bitch!
(Respect Dude!)

Or a coaster to put under one of the legs.
A sugar packet maybe?

You're not supposed to use Silverjets on pins with magnets. Might work ok right now, but the balls will become magnetized before long.