What a weird viewpoint to not realize the irony of such a statement.

All opinions have some merit and validity, and ultimately one's own, the most.

I wouldn't mind a sprinkling of film clips with animated clips in tandem, but clearly Stern didn't want to pay the rights past John William's theme, and the JP name and theme.

If we criticize a company like JJP for failing to do the same for Pirates, we definitely should criticize Stern for cheaping out massively on the JP rights.

Ultimately, it's how a company utilizes what they do pay for, and how it's realized, and both Pirates and JP seem pretty solid so far!

It's weird how that diaper filled narrator sounds more obnoxious in streams, than when playing. I guess focal points shift so much in those situations.

I don't know who else they could have went towards. A Gene Wilder impersonator would have felt insensitive, Oompah Loompahs would have been too zany, kids wouldn't have worked, so we got Nut Kicked Diaper Pooper Grandpa Joe.

This site is like a bad/zany sitcom set to constant reruns most days!

I never like pitting products directly against one another, as both always seem to have exclusive benefits the other doesn't.

What I enjoyed about JP last night, was the execution of theme/code feeling fun, and the shot layout looking equally enjoyable.

Conversely, I know from playing, Wonka can be really fun and smooth to shoot, but the modes aren't memorable or that joyful. That's the issue when licenses are strictly followed.

The modes in JP seem to exist in a way where I'd remember what they were, and how they affected score. But most modern games seem to fall flat in the fun factor, where it feels more like aimless shots that don't push gameplay/modeplay, further along.

The problem I'm having with Pirates and Wonka, is the modes don't really connect with ideas. I played, and loved some of Wonka's shots last night, but the shots don't feel memorable when connecting with the modes programmed.

Similarly with Pirates, it's multi-ball heaven, but past that, it's just random shot making, and never feeling like the code engages those shots. I don't feel like I'm battling Davy Jones, outrunning other ships, avoiding a noose, etc.

With this game reveal last night, it feels like modes combine with shots, to achieve things, and that feels like execution of theme combined with great shots, ideally great shots anyway.

I've never considered a modern Stern purchase, and didn't adore Maiden so much, but the execution of modes seems really enjoyable here! I just wish the raptor pit locked in the Pro like it does in the Premium and LE.

I feel like Grandpa Poohpants is less at the forefront of sound design. Four weeks ago, on I think 1.08, from 1.06, to now I'm hoping 1.09 feels significantly different.

I remember feeling really abrasive sound wise at MGC, to this isn't so bad at launch at Helicon. Now, I'm either used to it, or things are much more subdued.

My issues with Wonka went from sound design being at the forefront of obnoxious, to now my issue is the modes just aren't that memorable.

Steps forward!