Some good reviews, and why stop there. Here’s my initial impressions after about 7-8 games tonight. Big shout out to doomid with ontiltpinball.com at AYCE Gogi. Man, what a setup he has at AYCE. A sweet outdoor dining vibe, and he wheels pinballs in and out everyday for all to enjoy. That said, let’s get down to business.
My first game was a little underwhelming, the flippers felt weak, and I couldn’t find any rhythm. Every single game after that was FUN, with a capital holy Fucking fabulous FUN. The rules are easy to follow yet deep. The game is brutal, but not difficult. It’s hard, but it’s simple. It’s tough, but basic. You get the picture...? It’s got something for everyone it seems. I was wrong about the ball saver time stuff from watching the streams. Joe Katz told me flat out in discord, don’t sweat the ball save time, just go try the game; and of course he was right. I’m sure as I learn all the rules, I’ll eventually want to tone down the ball saver (i.e. adjust the settings to your play level). But, i had some songs with long ball saver, and others with little to no ball saver - and those times where the ball saver cut out short, my thought was shit, i gotta survive (and I can’t trap up or I’ll get boo’d, i love that! - definitely plays to my play style of on the fly playing).
The game has that one more game vibe going on and it puts you on the edge of your seat trying to start a song or other multiball so you can breathe a sigh of relief before you drain. And when you get in a song, it feels freaking gooohoood. THIS.IS.PINBALL ladies and gentlemen. Even my wife, who doesn’t play pinball much anymore, was having a really really fun time on this game (she also tried Hot Wheels, Avengers, & JP for her first time and kept coming back to GNR).
I love how the game plays before a song with clever sound effects for each of the shots and switches. The mini side multiballs and objectives are a nice touch. There’s a lot of attention to detail going on in this game. I won’t go over much of it but i love how the game will play an instrumental GNR song quietly as you come out of some multiballs. The ramps and orbits are late on the flipper and we’re a little awkward to get used to. But, once I found them they felt great. The left ramp is a really late shot on the right flipper, and the left loop is a really really late shot on the flipper. The right flipper could probably have been better with 1 or 2 extra power to it in the settings. I actually enjoyed the mini playfield and locking balls felt satisfying. But, I did feel like there was a sound effect (achievement) lacking when making the lock shot - maybe a little shaker mph of achievement and sound award? Anyway, The right ramp and right loop aren’t as late on the flipper as the other side, and both those shots feel really good. I really enjoyed hitting the Pyro target behind the Slash record, and the slash record itself was more satisfying than i thought it would be, this had a lot to do with the light show and effects surrounding the shot. I really enjoyed the Izzy center spinner shot, very satisfying.
Ok, now for some critiques. I actually dig the shooter lane and skill shot. But The exit over the right slinger to the right flipper did feel awkward. Mystery seemed to always be lit. I can’t tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing, it seemed excessive, but I was relieved to get a mystery each time because it gave me a breather and a chance to help progress to a song. The upper right flipper loop shot was tough to dial in. I think that flipper coil could use a power boost, but my wife did manage to hit 2 or 3 consecutive loops at one time. She even got a double jackpot from the upper loop and the call out and effect sounded great. I got some super jackpots throughout the night and those call outs seemed fairly underwhelming while the effect was awesome.
Highlights of the night. Getting a 3-ball power chord jackpot! The effect was bad ass, unfortunately the call out was underwhelming. The call out probably wouldn’t have bothered me if it was correct ‘Power Chord Jackpot’ but instead it said ‘Super Jackpot’ and didn’t have much enthusiasm. The other highlight was getting in on a multiplayer game with Karl D’ Angelo. I had him beat, well.... until we both got extra balls in which he blew up his extra ball and i drained mine in 2 seconds haha.
All in all, this game is great fun. And owners won’t be disappointed. I’ve had a deposit in since day 1 and have been back & forth on the fence from watching videos and reading all the criticism’s on Pinside about it. Should I should stay in, move to an SE, or jump ship altogether? Happy to say, after tonight, It’s an easy decision, I’m staying in. I just hope JJP can product games fast enough! They did a great job with this game and should feel proud. Well done JJP team.
Boo-ya 3ball power chord champ haha...
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