Posted March 14, 2009
The 'Pro Pinball' games, created by 'Another Cunning Development' are a series renowned for their quality and attention to detail, and 'Timeshock!' is the best of the series. Always focussed on quality over quantity, each Pro Pinball game comprises a single table; but what a table!
Graphics and audio were stunning at the time, and are still truly superb today thanks partly to the fixed view point, but mostly due to the beautiful realisation of the theme, and the sheer level of detail to which the table was designed and rendered (be certain to use the 'Examine table' option from the options menu to appreciate this -- as well as to better learn the rules of Timeshock!)
Of course gameplay is the key, and Timeshock is superlative. The physics are excellent (as you would expect), and the table packs enough features to be exciting from the get-go, without being overwhelming (at least not at first!), and it is obvious that the table will reward skill as you improve. The gameplay is highly addictive, as you identify the challenges available, and try to achieve them.
The 'Table rules' screen details the full extent of challenge that awaits if you are good enough; but for the rest of us, know that the lesser achievements of the game are effective goals in themselves, and so the game is rewarding for wizards and novices alike.
For serious pinball lovers, Timeshock was easily worth the asking price on release. At $6 for a game that looks, sounds, and plays just as wonderfully as it did 12 years ago, Timeshock is a game that no one who enjoys pinball should even think of ignoring. This is a true "best of its class" title; as good an old game as you could hope to find. Thank you Empire and GOG for bringing this cunning development back to the masses.
Graphics and audio were stunning at the time, and are still truly superb today thanks partly to the fixed view point, but mostly due to the beautiful realisation of the theme, and the sheer level of detail to which the table was designed and rendered (be certain to use the 'Examine table' option from the options menu to appreciate this -- as well as to better learn the rules of Timeshock!)
Of course gameplay is the key, and Timeshock is superlative. The physics are excellent (as you would expect), and the table packs enough features to be exciting from the get-go, without being overwhelming (at least not at first!), and it is obvious that the table will reward skill as you improve. The gameplay is highly addictive, as you identify the challenges available, and try to achieve them.
The 'Table rules' screen details the full extent of challenge that awaits if you are good enough; but for the rest of us, know that the lesser achievements of the game are effective goals in themselves, and so the game is rewarding for wizards and novices alike.
For serious pinball lovers, Timeshock was easily worth the asking price on release. At $6 for a game that looks, sounds, and plays just as wonderfully as it did 12 years ago, Timeshock is a game that no one who enjoys pinball should even think of ignoring. This is a true "best of its class" title; as good an old game as you could hope to find. Thank you Empire and GOG for bringing this cunning development back to the masses.