GAME REVIEW:
I’m not going to repeat all that has been said about artwork, lighting, and sound apart from it is great. I have played both models of GB and must say the extras on an LE/Premium is definitely the way to go as far as gameplay and looks go. Separate ramps, and magna slings, in particular, make the game. Then add the additional slimer movement, etco goggles screen, subway ramp, physical ball lock and moulded toys and why wouldn’t you want one.
Now gameplay.
Coding seems close to complete, if not there as I have played all modes except for the last two wizard modes. All inserts do something and the arrows do instruct the player well in what is expected to complete a mode.
The coding is linear like an arcade game ala Donkey Kong etc as you must complete a mode to proceed to the next. This a good thing as ensuing scenes get progressively more complex and involved bringing in the sense of achievement reward.
GB skill shot is the best I’ve seen in a while as Stern have finally made it a matter of skill and not just plunge and get the reward. You can go for the more difficult top lane skill shot that you have pre-selected and start a mode with a bonus reward or bypass this and shoot directly for the mode you have highlighted to start that scene.
All starting scenes on each ladder are quite simple and quick to complete. They tend to feel like a tutorial of shots for that ladder and train you for the future rungs on their respective ladder.
The ensuing scenes are well thought out, creative and very challenging. For example “He Slimed Me” required shooting the left ramp at least 3 times to boost the bonus, then hit the left orbit, followed by pounding the moving slimer. Sounds simple, but you have time constraints to contend with as well as the shear brutality of the game itself. Keeping the ball alive on this game is tough and gaining control is near impossible.
On top of the modes/scenes, you can collect ghosts to light the inserts running down the middle of the playfield. First 2 simply light scoops to access random rewards or the Negative Reinforcement video mode. I like the video mode as it can provide you with some needed rest and ability to steal some mega points reward. The next 2 inserts activate timed modes which are fun especially for the player who likes repeating shots that when made feel great off the flippers.
The final insert is “Mass Hysteria”, a multiball mode where the flippers are reversed until you hit book stacking captive ball. Then they go back to normal until you hit it again and they reverse etc. This mode really screws with your mind and makes you look like a complete idiot to others watching you play. I thought I’d like it more than what I did (possibly because I’m poor at this mode).
Once you complete all scenes and ghost collections, you are faced with the wizard modes of which I cannot comment on as yet.
Now, just when you think that’s all the things to shoot for, you have 2 hurry modes that are completed by hitting their respective targets; a 4 ball captive ball that lights rewards, locks and add a ball; and a single captive that pops up the Scoleri Brothers targets and later Terror Dog Hurry Up.
Scoleri Brothers mode is annoying as they block shots you probably need to make to complete scenes that have taking you ages to start, but pinball is designed to put up obstacles all the time, otherwise you’d just be rolling a ball around endlessly. They piss me, but I’d hate to not have them in the game.
The main multiball mode is Storage Multiball. I find this easy to achieve most games and the theatrical light show that goes with it, and shaker on the LE is superb.
The Slimer is the only bash toy in the game. It does not come into play (on the LE/Premium) until it is activated in which it will swoop down from the city and then hover around the middle of the playfield while you try to hit it with the ball. Trapping it enables you to start a scene.
Overall, this is a tough, brutal game where shots are tight and must be made on the run and extremely frustrating at times. Cheap drains and airballs a plenty. But get past this and this game is one of the most fun, rewarding and must play again game I can think of. I know its new, but I cannot see myself getting tired of it for a very long time. Longevity to maintain player interest scores a 10/10.
Shot layout is interesting with most shots having a risk component if missed causing chaos and most times, loss of ball. I like this as game times can be short and sweet, rather than just having a flip fest for no reason.
As mentioned earlier, scenes require multiple shots, within the allotted time to progress otherwise you need to start the scene again and continue from where you left off. You cannot just let a scene expire and cheat your way to the wizard rounds.
Stern Ghostbusters Pinball looks to be the complete package and I’m hoping can only get better with future code updates, although I hear is fairly unlikely. Ver 1.05 may be it.
SCORE:
Cabinet Artwork LE 9.2
Backglass Artwork 9.1
Playfield Artwork 9.7
Sound 10
Dots 9.3
Gameplay and Layout 9.8
Fun Factor and “just one more game” 10
Recommendation: got the cash, then what are you waiting for?
BTW here is my latest High Score for possible bragging rights
