PinOut | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Developer(s) | Mediocre |
Publisher(s) | Mediocre |
Designer(s) | Emil Bengtsson |
Programmer(s) | Dennis Gustafsson |
Artist(s) | Henrik Johansson |
Composer(s) | Douglas Holmquist |
Platform(s) | Android, iOS |
Release | October 27, 2016 |
Genre(s) | Pinball |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
PinOut is a pinball video game developed by the Swedish indie game studio Mediocre. It was released in October 2016 for Android and iOS. [1] [2] The goal of the game is to propel a ball as far as possible before time runs out. After the first 7 levels the endless mode begins. [2] [3]
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. [2]
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. [3]
To gain additional time, the player can hit glowing dots with the ball, gaining 1 second per dot. If the time run out, the game 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. [2]
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. [2]
There are four different minigames (one of these is an easter egg referencing Does not Commute , another Mediocre AB game) which, upon losing the minigame, the resulting score will be added 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. [4]
Like the minigames, power-ups appear as colored orbs on the playing field, and are obtained when the ball touches the orb. The game then offers the player a choice between two of the following: [5]
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 81/100 [6] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Gamezebo | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pocket Gamer | 9/10 [3] |
TouchArcade | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Metacritic gave the game an average score of 81 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [6] Gamezebo gave PinOut a rating of 4.5 stars, praising its graphics and soundtrack, while criticizing the timer as oppressive. [7] Pocket Gamer praised the originality, game-play, and aesthetics, but said it can be "a little tough". [3]