When looking for digital pinball experiences on gaming platforms today, some variation of Zen Studios’ generally highly rated work is what interested folk will often find. A long history converting classic Williams and Bally tables into video game format has meant Zen’s entries have been the go-to in this genre. Their success has led to all sorts of pinball collaborations with other games and movies, such as Aliens, Star Wars, The Walking Dead, Jurassic Park and Portal, as well as multi-table packs featuring Bethesda games and numerous Marvel films. For Zen’s current and prime pinball product, Pinball FX, another iconic franchise can now be added to the list: Tomb Raider.
The Tomb Raider Pinball pack includes two tables: Adventures of Lara Croft and Secrets of Croft Manor. As the titles of each imply, the former’s visual presentation and gameplay design is based around the locations and stories of Ms. Croft’s games, while the latter is a table inspired by the famous family home that has often acted as a training ground of sorts in various Tomb Raider entries.
Fans of Lara’s escapades – particularly those clamouring for more from the series with the next major title still seeming to be a long way away – will be keen to know if this spin-off is worth giving a go. This Tomb Raider fan has found it very difficult to get much enjoyment out of this twin pack of tables, though. There was a lot of satisfaction found with previous intellectual property-based pinball antics, with the likes of Aliens vs. Pinball proving to amusingly emulate key moments from Alien movies and games in a clever way. These tables attempt the same thing, except in a much less impressive fashion.
The Adventures of Lara Croft table has an expected tomb-like aesthetic, with plenty of easter eggs that fans will recognise dotted around the sides of the table, particularly in reference to Tomb Raider II. A 3D model of Lara Croft herself stands perched at the top end, outfitted in classic garb and pistols at the ready. That initial impression evokes positive feelings, but it is swept away once the quality of the presentation comes into effect. The Nintendo Switch version is obviously not going to be as up to par as other system variants, but the hit to the graphics with low quality geometry and unreadable text is disappointing. The game seems to run fine. However, there becomes an issue when it is so difficult to read what is along the various paths and shoots the ball is required to go down.
There isn’t much in the way of exciting character models coming into play outside of Lara. Her model, though, is such a step down from what is found on other platforms, and to top it off, her accent is a poor imitation of the various Lara actors from over the years. The American twang is so noticeable that it is hard to even think of her as the English treasure hunter herself. At least with the Aliens table, actual voice clips from the movie were used to deliver a more authentic experience. This just doesn’t feel like Lara at all. A spin-off this may be, but why an actual English actress wasn’t used for Lara Croft, of all people, is depressing.
The table asks players to hit the globe near the top of the table a few times to start a “main mode”, which essentially are different objectives that demand the ball to be whacked down specific shoots or at certain targets. Flashing lights indicate where the ball is required to go, but the whole endeavour is such an exercise in frustration.
There is no fluidity on the table, as the ball constantly gets caught up in elements at the upper end, such as a spinning circle that traps the ball for a few seconds before finally throwing it back into play. It is tough to figure out exactly what must done when these missions are activated and it is hard to get the ball down the sections you want it to go. Making matters worse, the ball has a high tendency to slip out of play and into the drain. At this point, it is more enjoyable to boot up practice mode. At least there is a chance of being able to play long enough to experience all the table has to offer. If only there was an option to close the outlanes for an extra layer of comfort.
The second part of this pack of tables, Secrets of Croft Manor, features a gym-dressed Lara and the voice of her butler. At least he sounds genuinely English. Appealing attention to detail exists in the form of Lara’s pistols and maps adorning the outside of the arena, with her computer desk and the hedge maze sitting within it, while the familiar staircases act as ramps for the ball to travel at the upper end. This table feels easier to manage, with the fireplace requiring a few hits to start the mission selection process. Hitting targets and creating melodies are some of the goals here, and although the game can end quickly as in the first table, Lara’s home delivers a little more consistent fun that doesn’t feel as slow paced.
Playing handheld mode with the system in a vertical orientation and with some button remapping in effect is a great way to experience the tables, even though graphics quality is downgraded a touch. That elongated field of view that mimics a real pinball table is especially cool, but there was an issue when playing this way that prevented both flippers from being pressed and held at the same time.
