Really tough to decide here.
In the end it’s clear there are a lot of good pins out there that provide fun for many with different tastes. Going to have to put some time on both of them this weekend to decide.
However when I go down to my basement the majority of the time JJPOTC gets played first/most often. Can a honeymoon phase last 1 yr...I guess it can. It’s amazing LOTR knocked off so many great pins and it’s 17 years old.
AFM....no doubt, the best pin for non regular pin players. Yet it keeps you coming back ...working to Rule the Universe doesn’t get old. It’s pure fun....if the vote was fun factor alone (ie no immersion factor, no last-ability, etc) then it takes the cake.
LOTR is fantastic, but best played when in the mood for the adventure, etc. Mine is very fast with a relatively new clearcoated playfield so I don’t have as many marathon games. Yeah when you are having a really good game... it’s like there’s nothing better then this. The modes and multiballs are top notch. DTR is amazing...the center ramp shot to the ring is one of the best and doesn’t get old. Yet when I look to the left I see TZ and AFMr. And I have said the same for them too.
In the end there are many times I am playing games (A few of my own and a few others...including DILE and JP2) where I say now this is the best game. They all have something great to offer and it’s pretty clear their “faults” get magnified for the sake of comparisons.