Pinball Prelude
| Developer: Effigy | Graphics: |
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| Publisher: Effigy | Sound: |
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| Year: 1995 | Difficulty: |
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| Genre: Pinball | Lastability: |
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| Number of players: 1 | Rating: |
7/10 | |
I expected the worst when seeing the photos of the first table, with the dinosaur. The “photo-realistic” style of the ’90s has particularly aged. Nevertheless, the game engine seems as convincing to me as those of reference simulators.
The three tables on offer are particularly large, requiring screen scrolling on both axes (in “normal” resolution). The “high resolution” mode allows you to display its full width and about three-quarters of its height. Each table is installed on a dedicated floppy disk (which needs to be started individually).
The first is called “Past”, with a prehistory theme. The design—to say the least kitsch—seems to be the result of a collage of digitalised photos. Occasionally, a rat pokes its head out of the scenery, which you must crush with the ball (leaving a bloodstain in the grass). On the left, the traditional ramp is replaced by a water torrent.
The second table, “Present”, on the theme of modern life (football, TV, car and telephone?) proves more conventional in both style and gameplay.
The last one, “Future”, is the most experimental. The balls are drones meant to help clean up a futuristic megacity, and the flippers have taken the form of lightsabers! Also, the ball gets heavier as it absorbs pollution, if I’ve understood correctly.
The 3D scenery modelling and the ball launcher (plunger) placed in the middle give it a unique character, one that probably won’t appeal to everyone.
I like imaginative games provided they remain manageable. In my opinion, this condition is met.
Press F10 to display the options. Note that it’s possible to control this pinball game with a joystick! If you prefer using the keyboard, ensure the arrows aren’t associated with it, or deactivate it.
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