With the Fallout TV show extending the reach and appeal of the video game series far beyond its usual status,  it’s definitely good timing on the part of Zen Studios to bring their Bethesda themed tables to virtual reality. So let’s check out not just Fallout, but the VR pinball tables themed around Skyrim and Doom, too!

Fallout

Starting with the aforementioned, retro-futurist post-apocalypse of Fallout, we have a table deeply themed around the game, with character progression, missions and a great Pip-Boy style interface.

Despite the immersion of the thematic style and ambience, I did find this table to be a bit underwhelming, however; it’s certainly simpler in its RPG-style progression than the Skyrim table (which we’ll be getting to), but I just didn’t find it all that involving. It’s also the case that the controls can be a bit confusing, with navigating over-ambitious elements such as shops, for example, not being properly explained.

Doom

Now Doom is another table which features great theming and a very clear knowledge of the source material. It’s a much more straightforward beast to play than either Fallout or Skyrim, and its high speed, metal-soundtracked action makes it that much more exciting too.

Skyrim

Based on the incredibly popular Elder Scrolls RPG, the Skyrim pinball table attempts to give players pretty much the full on, open world experience they’ll be familiar with from the original game.

It’s not entirely successful, but you can’t fault the ambition here. Like Fallout, there’s a somewhat convoluted control system here, with weapons and other equipment able to be equipped, stats to level up and even different ways to specialise your character.

The way that it takes you through the main quest and plenty of side quests from Skyrim is pretty jaw-dropping, but it’s definitely at the expense of accessibility. That said, Zen Studios clearly learned a lot from the persistent character progression in their earlier Epic Quest table, but in all honesty that machine does a much better job of balancing innovative mechanics with entertainment.

So, overall a slightly disappointing DLC pack, but the ambition on display here can’t be faulted. If you’re someone who’s able to get over the steep learning curve of two out of three of the tables on offer here, you’re likely to find yourself much more immersed, and impressed, with the experience.

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