PinOut

PinOut (sometimes stylized as PinOut!)[2][3] is a virtual pinball game, released in 2016 by Mediocre AB.[4] It is available for Apple iOS and Google Android platforms.[1] The goal of the game is propel the ball as far as possible before time runs out.[1][5]

PinOut
PinOut app icon
Developer(s)Mediocre AB
Platform(s)iOS, Android
ReleaseOctober 27, 2016[1]
Genre(s)Pinball
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

The game has the basic appearance of a conventional pinball game, with a rolling ball propelled upward on the play field by hitting it with flippers. However, unlike a conventional pinball game, the play field extends upwards endlessly. The display follows the ball as it moves. Multiple flippers are placed throughout the play field. There is no drain; play is limited by a timer. The challenge is to go as far as possible up the play field, within the available time.[1]

The player controls the flippers by tapping the left or right of the screen. The player can also hold the flippers to "catch" the ball, for a more precise shot.[5]

To gain additional time, the player can hit glowing dots with the ball. If time expires, play ends. There are ten checkpoints in the game. With an in-app purchase, the player can enable restarting from past checkpoints, restoring their progress to that point. Otherwise, players must start at the beginning.[1]

If the player makes it past the main play fields, there is an "Overtime" mode, where the player keeps playing the same course until time expires.[1]

Minigames

There are four different minigames (one of these is easter egg to Does not Commute, another Mediocre AB game) which, when played, add the resulting score to the timer. These minigames appear in a small area at the top of the screen, reminiscent of the "video mode" minigames in hybrid electronic pinball games.[6]

Power-ups

Like the minigames, power-ups appear as colored orbs on the playing field, and are obtained when the ball touches the orb. The game offers the player a choice between two of the following:[7]

  • Slow Motion — slows the ticks of the timer
  • Time Freeze — stops the timer for 10 flips of the flippers
  • Motion Link — the timer only ticks when the ball is in motion
  • Push — allows the player to move the ball in any direction
  • Warp — allows the player to skip part of a level
  • Time Doubler — makes the time beads (bonus dots) worth twice as much time
  • Random — one of the other power-ups listed above is granted

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic81/100[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Gamezebo[9]
Pocket Gamer9/10[5]
TouchArcade[10]

Metacritic gave the game an average score of 81 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[8] Gamezebo gave PinOut a rating of 4.5 stars, praising its graphics and soundtrack, while criticizing the timer as oppressive.[9] Pocket Gamer praised the originality, game-play, and aesthetics, but said it can be "a little tough".[5]

See also

  • Smash Hit - another game from Mediocre AB involving balls

References

  1. Kohler, Chris (2016-11-01). "Fantastic PinOut! Puts an Infinite Spin on Pinball". WIRED. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  2. "PinOut". Play Store. Google. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  3. "PinOut!". App Store. Apple. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  4. Funnell, Rob (2016-10-27). "Endless Neon Pinball Game 'PinOut' From the Developers of 'Smash Hit' Is Finally Available Worldwide". TouchArcade. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  5. Cowley, Ric (2016-10-27). "PinOut review - the pinball reinvention you never knew you needed". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  6. Squires, Jim (2016-11-14). "PinOut is Pinball with an Endless Twist". Lifewire. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  7. Amaris, Lian (2016-11-01). "PinOut Tips, Cheats and Strategies". Gamezebo. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  8. "PinOut! for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  9. Amaris, Lian (2016-11-02). "PinOut Review: Play This Silver Ball". Gamezebo. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  10. Musgrave, Shaun (2016-12-30). "'PinOut!' Review – A Pretty, Good Spin on Pinball". TouchArcade. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
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