Hello there. I'm rygelyoda.

[rygelyoda]

Hi Everyone,

My username is rygelyoda and I'm a casual video game pinball enthusiast. I stumbled onto Zen/Marvel Pinball by chance several months ago and have to admit that now I'm hooked.

My favorite tables are "Sorcerer's Lair" and "Paranormal" on the Zen side, and "Thor" & "X-Men" on the Marvel. (Though, they are very difficult and you can't be distracted for a second.)
I just downloaded "Epic Quest" this weekend and have been dabbling with it from time to time. The jury is still out.

The most fascinating thing to me about the games, is the different feel that they each have. The flipper action seems so life-like and realistic to me. On some tables, they seem really responsive and tight, on others more relaxed and casual, depending on the theme of the game. I am amazed by this and soon find myself becoming immersed in the gaming experience.

Also, I am very happy that I can add my own music while playing the Zen tables, as it helps alleviate some of the tension when you trying to make that "one shot" and the timer is ticking down. Too many times, I have choked.

Does anyone know if it is possible to play your own music over the Marvel games?

Increasingly, I found myself coming to the Zen forums to get tips and advice on how to achieve trophies and maximize my gaming experience. Some of the tables are just maddening with their complexity, while others, like "Iron Man" are deceptively simple, but incredibly difficult to score well on.

Still, I could go on and on about the beauty of many of the tables. They are each functional works of art and so entertaining to play. It keeps me playing for hours on end, trying to discover some hidden nugget or animation that I have yet to see.

Sadly though, I am only a causal gamer. And don't know if I will ever have the time or the devotion to ever "beat" a table or even achieve a single silver trophy. I spend time wondering about these mythical "codes" that "crackervizzo" occasionally mentions. That would be sweet.

Anyway, it is good to be here and voice my love for the games that I so enjoy playing. Looking forward to your feedback and comments.

All the best & keep those balls a 'rollin,

Rygelyoda

[shogun00]

Welcome to the forums!

Does anyone know if it is possible to play your own music over the Marvel games?

I believe so, but I'm not 100% sure.

Sadly though, I am only a causal gamer. And don't know if I will ever have the time or the devotion to ever "beat" a table or even achieve a single silver trophy.

For Marvel Pinball, it is very easy to get a silver and gold trophy. You just need to be friends with the right players and you will get your Team Force score over 5,000 point in no time.

For Zen Pinball, there are a couple easy silver trophies (Paranormal, Sorcerer's Lair, Epic Quest and Street Fighter 2).

Paranormal by far has the easiest silver trophy, because the trophy difficulty is intentionally backwards on this table (lives up to the name/theme).

All you need to do is lock one ball into the film reel and then get a ball into the hole in the cube. That's it!

Here's a step by step video on how to do get all of the trophy in Paranormal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri0I4tCBOlo

[rygelyoda]

Hey there Shogun00, thanks for making me feel so welcome.

Yeah. I watch the Youtube videos sometimes. 'Like with "Angry Birds," when I am struggling on a level, trying to get "3 stars."

Thank you for the advice on Zen & Marvel pinball. It's kind of fun to stumble upon to a trophy, but nothing beats consciously working towards one and seeing that "acknowledgement" pop up on the screen for a few seconds when you finally achieve one. (You know, momentarily blocking the screen & freaking you out because you think that your system has crashed or that you may lose the ball in play as a result. Ah...good times!)

Anyway, I'm not sure I like the way "Epic Quest" spits out the balls once you manage to get the ball into one of the many common "sinkholes." It comes out so fast and usually goes right down the middle, despite my attempts to catch or manage the ball. It's frustrating as Hell, and it is definitely hindering my enjoyment of the table.

At least with "Excalibur," there are so many opportunities to discover new things that it keeps me coming back for more, despite the difficulty of the table.

I really want to dislike "V12," but don't think I've really given it a fair chance yet, but that left flipper gap is constantly my downfall. "Oh noooo!"

And though I like the music & simplicity of "Iron Man," I have yet to earn any trophies upon it. It is wickedly hard & you have to pay constant and close attention to it. 'Wanting to activate the kickbacks before trying anything dangerous, but then losing the ball right down the middle after a missed center shot. Argh! You can't even enjoy a drink in old "Tony Stark fashion" while playing that one. Lol.

Still, my skills are slowly improving and I always remember to try and take lots of breaks. Nothing is more frustrating than playing a table over and over again, trying to achieve the greatness you once had a fleeting taste of when it just isn't in the cards. Oye! Zen, why have you done this to me? Your name infers "Peace & Tranquility," but you bring forth nothing but stress and frustration. (Does my ex-girlfriend work for you?) LOL.

rygelyoda

[shogun00]

Anyway, I'm not sure I like the way "Epic Quest" spits out the balls once you manage to get the ball into one of the many common "sinkholes." It comes out so fast and usually goes right down the middle, despite my attempts to catch or manage the ball. It's frustrating as Hell, and it is definitely hindering my enjoyment of the table.

I rarely experience that. The ball usually spits right at the tip of the left flipper from the center hole. Holding the left flipper up, while the game ejects the ball out of the hole, should prevent it from draining.

The cave hole is a different story. It's a hit or miss. If it looks like it's going down the middle, then do a nudge. I personally have the nudging mapped to the left analog, since the Six Axis tilt function can be a hit or miss.

At least with "Excalibur," there are so many opportunities to discover new things that it keeps me coming back for more, despite the difficulty of the table.

Although, Excalibur is a difficult table, the trophies are much easier to obtain. You only need to complete certain missions to obtain them.

And though I like the music & simplicity of "Iron Man," I have yet to earn any trophies upon it.

Iron Man and Thor have really complex trophies.

[BarbieBobomb]

Hi Rygelyoda!! Welcome to the forums As you can see, people here are friendly and super helpful, so don't hesitate to ask questions

-Barbie