Hey folks! I'm always looking for new, weird digital pinball games to try since my state is so dry on the real thing. I thought I'd share my review on a real diamond in the rough from the 90s.
Necronomicon Pinball is a Japan-only Sega Saturn pinball game developed by KaZe that never released on another platform. The disc contains three original tables with a Lovecraft theme, ridiculous heavy metal music and some pretty outstanding physics.
Seriously, these physics still really hold up, it's shocking.
Each table is comprised of "high res" pre-renders and the game runs at a solid 60 fps. Table design is very realistic, ala Pro Pinball. Each table is slightly harder than the last, with the Arkham Asylum table being pretty darn easy and featuring a 6-ball multiball with no frame drops. The designs aren't overly complicated but the flow is good and the tables are surprisingly engaging. Despite never leaving Japan, the entire game is in perfect English - all the text and spooky voice overs!
Arkham Asylum, Dreamlands and Cult of the Bloody Tongue make up the set. Each table features in-depth, illustrated, English instructions. Rather than a traditional DMD, various illustrated banners will pop up in the margins with notifications, and arrows will flash on the table when an objective is lit. Options include 1-2 Players, adjustable controlls (nudge and flip), information arrow toggle and background music toggle. Pausing the game during play presents a screen of useful info on current values, multipliers, etc. A mode called "Realms Mode" has the player trying to clear a target score on each table in succession.
One of the game's notable features is the presence of several live-action FMV sequences. The Prologue and Epilogue FMVs feature music composed by John Petrucci of Dream Theater... I don't know why.
So how do you play? Well, you could try eBay where used import copies go for about $35-45. With a flashed Action Replay you can make your Sega Saturn region-free, making this an excellent import purchase. Of course, the computer savvy can find other ways to play this gem. If you enjoy pinball oddities I believe the effort to get a working copy is well-justified. Despite the Saturn's low native resolution, the game plays fairly modern.
Lovecraft, Heavy Metal, Solid Pinball. A+ retro stuff.
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