Pinball Spire Review: Flipping and Rolling to the Top of a Mysterious Tower
Indie studio Apparition Games brings us Pinball Spire, a unique blend of pinball mechanics, platforming, and puzzles. With its debut at PAX East and rave reviews at Gamescom and Tokyo Game Show, this game has intrigued players with its innovative take on pinball gameplay. And it makes it the first pinball inspired "platfomer" since Yoku's island express . But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the spire and find out!
A Fresh Spin on Pinball
Pinball Spire is no ordinary pinball game. It takes the classic elements
of the arcade pastime—flippers, bumpers, and ramps—and mixes them with
platforming and puzzle-solving in a sprawling, mysterious tower. You play as
Pip, a sentient pinball on a quest to scale the spire, confronting obstacles,
enemies, and secrets at every level. Your journey will demand not just quick
reflexes but also careful planning and puzzle-solving.
The premise is simple: get to the
top. But the journey is anything but straightforward. Each level introduces new
mechanics and puzzles, requiring you to utilize Pip's abilities—such as time slowdown for lining up those hard to make shots, or the Fireball for smashing through enemies
and lighting up torches. The deeper you go, the more complex the challenges
become, and the more satisfying it is to overcome them.
Pinball Meets Puzzle-Platforming
Despite the term platforming, in Pinball Spire the gameplay is not presented in the form of a Metrovania style side-scroller, like the forementioned Yoku's Express. Instead the level design follows the classic pinball tabletop down view with the level moving , mostly, from down, upwards, much like the name suggests, like going up a spire or tower. Where Pinball Spire truly shines is in its hybrid gameplay. The combination of pinball mechanics with "platforming" type challenges creates an experience that feels fresh and exciting. It takes that gaming element that pinball machines have and ramping it up to a new level. One moment you’re firing Pip through a series of bumpers, the next you’re solving a puzzle to unlock the exit to the next level by lighting torches hidden in dark sections of the level. For some areas you need to find hidden paths that section you off to other areas in order to get a skill or pull a switch that allow you to continue. It’s a seamless blend that keeps you on your toes and constantly engaged. There is no death, if you "fail" you simply plummet back down to the previous floor/table and have to work your way back up. Along the way you will find plenty of save points to assist you in preventing any frustrations of losing too much progress.
Each chamber is a self-contained
puzzle, and while many require precision shots, others force you to think
outside the box. The introduction of energy-based abilities like slowing down
time or transforming into a fireball adds layers of strategy to the game. These
powers allow you to approach puzzles in different ways, and while the energy (mana) system ensures you can’t spam abilities, the game is generous with replenishing
your resources so you’re never too limited.
Gameplay that Hits the Mark
From a gameplay perspective, Pinball Spire excels in both its pinball mechanics and platforming elements which is an important factor of a pinball game. The flipper controls are responsive, and the physics feel mostly natural, which is crucial for a game built around precision shots, though at times it felt gravity was against me. But I feel that way about physical pinball machines as well, so maybe it is just me. Overall, it is easy to get into a rhythm, or as some call it "into the zone", while bouncing Pip from flipper to flipper while collecting gems and smashing enemies and figuring out the next part of the puzzle.
One standout feature is the game’s camera work. In a pinball game with moving platforms and puzzles, it would be easy for the camera to become a distraction. Thankfully, Apparition Games struck the perfect balance, ensuring you always have a clear view of the action without disorienting shifts, and you can zoom the game in and out to where it feels most comfortable for you. You can also hit the tab key which pauses the game and allows you to move the camera around and see more of what is ahead. You can also move the mouse pointer over objects in the space and get some clues of what they do or what triggers them, which is very helpful with the puzzle solving.
This especially welcoming as some of the level design has its moments of frustration. Those levels are designed in such a way that missing a shot can send you plummeting down, undoing a lot of progress or have a lot of mystery going on introducing a new mechanic or barrier that is not well explained. Figuring out this is part of the game, but at certain moments I was just not "getting it" until I used the pause and look feature to get better understanding. While this adds a layer of challenge to the game, it can occasionally feel a bit punishing, especially during longer levels. This of course is slightly aggravated by the fact I do not have pinpoint accuracy when playing pinball. Gravity does what it wants sometimes as you helplessly watch the ball bounce from bumper to bumper and just sink down the wrong hole. occasionally I found myself wishing I had the ability to just hit the side of the table helping the ball along.
The World of the Spire
The spire itself is a character in its own right. The visuals are presented in striking pixelated graphics, with a mix of medieval fantasy and mechanical intricacy that gives the setting a unique atmosphere. The torches that light your path, the gears that twist and turn in the background, and the strange devices that block your way all contribute to a world that feels alive and full of secrets. The music in the game, composed by Starling Tan, feels build in layers and offers a variety of Zen like melodies that can really help you get focused while playing the game without them becoming to repetitive. They also seem to represent the different pinball rooms well, giving them each their own unique character.
Apparition Games did an excellent job crafting a world that feels mysterious yet familiar. The spire isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing puzzle that you must slowly unravel. The further you climb, the more you understand about its strange workings, but there’s always a sense of wonder and discovery.
More
Than Just Pinball
While Pinball Spire is a
short game—clocking in at around 3 to 6 hours depending on your skills—it
offers enough variety and challenge to keep you entertained throughout that time. The game introduces
new powers and mechanics at a steady pace, keeping things fresh as you make
your way up the spire. And while it may be over before you want it to be, it’s
the kind of game that leaves you satisfied yet eager for more.
The addition of customization options, like the ability to equip Pip with different cosmetic items (such as sunglasses or hats), is a fun touch, though it doesn’t impact gameplay. Instead, it adds a bit of personality to your pinball protagonist and makes your journey feel more personal. All without the need to purchase a exclusive pre-order or a game pass. Bravo Apparition Games!
Final Thoughts
Pinball Spire is a delightful and innovative twist on traditional pinball
games. By blending pinball mechanics with platforming and puzzle-solving,
Apparition Games has created a fun experience that’s hard to put down.
While the game may be short and some levels can be frustrating, the overall
experience is a rewarding one that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
If you’re a fan of pinball, platformers, or puzzle games, Pinball Spire might just be a mix that can offer you something new that hits the gaming itch on all of those genres. It’s a game that doesn’t just recreate the feeling of playing pinball, we have plenty of those but reimagines what a pinball game can be. It might not be a perfect game but with tight controls, unique gameplay, plucky visuals, and a captivating soundtrack, Pinball Spire rolled its own path into the indie landscape.
Combining pinball with an "almost roguelike" gameplay without the frustrations of losing all your progress is a winning combination.
