Xenotilt Review - Space Pinball Wizard
When it comes to digital pinball games, I find they fit in one of three groups – recreations of real-life tables, original tables that try to be realistic, and those that throw realism out the door and pull in ideas from other digital games. Xenotilt just so happens to be part of that third group, and thankfully combines both pinball and video games to make a wonderful experience, just like its predecessor Demon’s Tilt.
If you’re someone who is after a new set of tables for their digital pinball fix, then it might disappoint – Xenotilt offers a single table here, but you’ll find it’s less one solitary table, and more one split up into three smaller sections, which the ball moves between based on your flipper skills.
Mastering said skills is important, as earning points requires you to activate and execute a series of protocols for each of these table segments. I was surprised to see the details of what you actually need to do is only shown in the side HUD, and not lit up on the table itself. Honestly, it left me feeling a little lost on my first few plays, especially as glancing off to the side at the wrong time may cause you to lose track of the ball at a crucial point.
Admittedly, I’m no pinball wizard, but I felt the table physics were solid here. Sure, it’s going to take a little practice, but it won’t be long before you nail the flipper timing to get those required shots to advance in the game. There’s also the ability to nudge the table in any direction, though maybe it’s just me and my preference for keyboard controls in pinball games – but it tripped me up having to shift focus to nudge with WASD compared to a left/right nudge. I expect far less friction if you’re using a gamepad though, which is thankfully a supported option.
The big draw of pinball is the thrill of the score chase, and Xenotilt replicates that with its online leaderboards letting you see how you fare against the world’s best. Another draw comes in the alternate game modes which add both extra depth and challenge to Xenotilt’s core.
Whether that’s aiming for the best score you can with a single ball, as offered by Hardcode more. Or perhaps you want to try and keep the timer at bay so as to keep on playing in Crisis mode. Both of these aren’t ones you’ll be playing often, but I found they scratched a certain itch for when I’ve only got time for a quick session, and want to get in a little play time instead of diving into a full game of the main mode.
Things get even better though with EX-Mode. This takes Xenotilt’s standard gameplay mode and adds extra features like rescuing characters and earning extra bonuses by travelling to sub-tables. It’s the perfect mode to dive into once you think you’re done with its regular mode as it’s where Xenotilt’s true challenge opens up.
Like with rescuing characters. Yes, you earn points for these rescues, but it leads to some customisation prior to starting a game. Those you’ve rescued can be hired on with each offering distinct bonuses and features in game. Obviously, as you locate and rescue more, you’ll find out the squad that best suits your play style, and it makes the EX-Mode such a unique way to play pinball that I know I’ll want to master it, that’s for certain.
This isn’t the be-all and end-all of Xenotilt’s unlockables though. There are plenty that can be unlocked during the regular game mode as well, and though these aren’t as dramatic as the hireable crews are, it all helps contribute to the video game feeling thanks to these all being saved between sessions.
The visuals do a lot to contribute to those game vibes as well. From seeing animated targets moving about the board, doing more than just light up or wobble about when hit, to scores and other bonuses shooting up like you’re in an arcade game, it brings the table to life in ways I feel are only possible in video games.
You don’t need a separate display like real-life tables do, because it’s all happening right in front of you on the table itself! This might not be your thing if so happen to find yourself being overwhelmed with games like that – but if you’re on board, I think you’ll genuinely appreciate what is going on with Xenotilt.
But I can’t ignore the soundtrack. Not at all. Let’s face it, this has to be one of Xenotilt’s highlights for me. It brings back the kind of FM music you might have heard on a Mega Drive, with some nice grooves and a vibe that fits the gritty, grotesque tone of the overall game. I found it really helped get me in the mood to fling that ball about and get tackling those Protocols, and that is really what a game’s soundtrack is meant to do!
Xenotilt is not a game you’re going to smash through in a couple of hours and move on with your life. Like any arcade experience, it’s one you’ll want to come back to working to improve your score by mastering those shots, tricks and everything else. If you’re open to a pinball game doing more that recreating something from the past – then Xenotilt offers plenty to get your teeth into.
Xenotilt was reviewed on PC with code kindly supplied by the publisher.
