Customer Reviews

Dream Pinball 3D

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

First off you have to register or you can only play one table in demo mode. The e-mail registration form didn't work so I had to call the automated line and get the code. This is just absurd for a $15 game. The title screens at the beginning apparently are unskippable. Now the actual gameplay isn't very good either. Sure, there are tons of ways to play... but that doesn't mean much. I think it's just a barely mediocre pinball game slathered generously with turd polish. The special effects add little to nothing to the actual game. I'm glad I didn't wait a month and pay twice as much to get it on Wii. Hopefully William's new pinball game doesn't suck. This game is full of annoyances.

I was browsing through the Amazon game downloads page and came across this game. It reminded me of an ancient pinball game that I used to play on Windows 97 back in the days. That game used to be my study-break. So, I thought: why not try this 3D pinball game, and enjoy the nostalgia from the past, while cooling down my brains from studying phospholipid bilayers?

Also, it was on sale: four bucks. How can things go wrong for four bucks?

.... Well, I lost all my four bucks.

After I installed the game, I was asked to enter the serial code, which I did. After that, it told me I had to activate the game via internet or phone. Although I am not a fan of any game activation, I understand the reason behind it, so I activated it. Like all other games, I did not have to register to play, so I didn't.

So, I played a few games.

Well, as far as gameplay goes, it's all that you can expect from a pinball game. It has good physics, I like the graphics, and obviously no storyline. To be fair, I was pleasantly impressed with the overall gaming experience.

I came back later to play this game, and to my surprise, it asked me to enter the serial code AGAIN! It was just like I have never played it before. Well, I entered it, and activated it once again. The problem was that I had to repeat the process all over everytime I launched the game. Was my computer weird? Well, I uninstalled it and reinstalled a couple of times. The result? The same. In the end, I just deleted the program and files completely and never looked at it again.

It's up to your choice, I guess. But I don't want to play a game that asks me to enter the serial code & activate everytime I wish to play. Of all, a pinball game? HELL, NO. When I want a quick break, I should be able to get it; not go through a series of hassle just to play a game of pinball.

Good thing it cost only four bucks. Nevertheless, if I knew this was gonna happen, it would've probably been healthier buying a Big Mac meal instead of buying this game (of course, mentally).

This is the first pinball since Extreme Pinball back in the 90's that I have found addicting, it's not perfect however most of the flaws are over come by the great gameplay.

First the bad.

1: As a previous reviewer pointed out, the effects for hitting targets, bumpers, etc are the same across all the tables, they could have been more creative with this, especialy for a pixel shader 2.0 game.

2: Once again for a graphicaly advanced game you would think it would support wide aspect monitor resolutions such as 1440x900, however it only supports 4:3 modes up to 1600x1200, fortunately with a 16:9 toggle which allows the game to at least be displayed with the proper aspect.

2.5: Main menu is displayed in a lower resolution than the actual game engine, causing annoying mode switching between tables. Anyone remember the first Half Life?

Other than small details the game otherwise is truly excellent if you enjoy pinball on the pc. The Amber Moon table (AKA: Two Worlds) is an obvious favorite and for good reason, it's easy enough to keep a game going for at least a short while and offers smooth game play with a slow progression of objectives to keep it interesting. The Monster table is also pretty good, however I found the other tables really pale compared to Amber Moon, maybe this is just personal preference.

Another strong point is the cost of this game, which really nullifies any flaws I can find up to this point, for $15 on DVD with a small but decent manual I really feel I got a great deal.

This Pinball Game reminds me of the good old days (mid 70's), when I spent more time at The Game Room than at Northeastern University. But it was time well spent,considering I won a Pinball Wizard T- shirt. Since P.C.'s came out, I've been looking for a pinball experience like those great machines. This game "Dream Pinball", comes pretty close. The ball physics are some of the best I've seen. The graphics are razor sharp, and each table represents different challenges.The tilt feature is very realistic, meaning you've got to learn how to use it right or it could hurt rather than help. The background music is well produced, although some of the sound effects and voices can get a bit repetetive after hours of playing. But that's the thing; it's good enough to play for hours! You're going to need a pretty fast P.C. and a good graphics card to take full advantage of this game. I see that it's available new for less than a Dollar from some vendors. That's a lot of Bang for the Buck ! " That deaf, dumb, and blind kid sure plays a mean Pinball "

(The Who)

It is so rare that electronic pinball game is released, let alone for pc that I had to buy this. The games are very fun to play, however they all seem a bit too similar for my tastes. All 6 have the same sparkler like flashes when hit hit certain things etc. The plunger for the ball is unrealistic as well; when you draw it back and release there is no ball on the tip then suddenly it comes out of the chute. I really wish each table had been totally unique with it's own bells and whistles and styles.

Spent 10 bucks for this and it was 10 bucks too much. The graphics are washed out; the sound effects second rate, the lag time between pressing the flipper buttons is too slow etc etc...the free space cadet pinball that came with windows 95 was light years ahead in realism and game feel. And I installed this on two brand new laptops that are loaded so I don't think it is the computers...major disappointment.

Save your money on this one controls are unresponsive. The graphics are good ,but you still need to be able use flippers, Flipper reactions are very slow.

I wanted a game comparable to the old Epic pinball games. I decided to try this one and I am glad I did. These are some really good games and a lot of fun to play. The price of this game is great too.

There are some similarities between the pinball games, but they are all different enough with different board setups and themes to make them all enjoyable to play. I would recommend this product to anyone who enjoyed the old Epic games.

I did not like having to register immediately before playing, but it

went through easily. Overall it was a minor annoyance.

I always love to play pinball, when I first played this game I had to get use to the controls, it's not like standing at the machine. The graphics, motion, and the sounds are great.

Purchased primarily to play on a new Toshiba running Windows 7 Professional and still have not been able to update graphics drivers, etc to run. HOWEVER, AFTER ALSO INSTALLING IT ON AN OLDER HP WITH VISTA it is running like a charm. I see other reviewers deriding some of the action, but for a '50's pinballer seeking the good old days this was a gread play. I must say I have never seen better online email support to questions, and free analytics of system drivers, etc. These folks are working hard to keep their customers happy. So...for me I'm batting .500...great on one laptop...not running on the other...but overall, I am a happy baller/camper.