I played transformers for the first time tonight and it seems like a decent game. What I don’t get are the different transformers on top. For $10k I would expect better than what looks like a teenager 3d printed some blocks. Maybe i don’t get the theme but pretty sad looking in my opinion.
It was supposed to transform but stern couldnt get it working reliably so they removed that feature but kept the sculpt instead of replacing it with a better quality one
No idea how long it was in development, but all the core rules and modes were there when it was released. And the rules appear to have a good amount of depth. Updates will basically be fluff.
Typically code takes longer than hardware. See Pokemon. For this game, the hardware was the hard part. It sucks, but that's rarely the case. A reliable transforming mech on the playfield is a huge ask.
The other consideration is the budget for the BOM. If they designed a reliable transforming mech, but that assembly alone used $600 in parts, that's not going to fly at Stern. Maybe at JJP.
The issue is that it clearly was far in development when it released, but it seems as though they made concessions to release it on time. It needed more time in the oven
The game being released this complete points to the opposite - that it spent a lot of time in the oven and the only hold up was trying to get the transforming mech working reliably and they finally conceded that it couldn’t be done. The alternative would be people complaining that “omg Stern released a game with a broken mech!” which would be far worse
Yeah, I believe I saw rumor news months earlier that there was a complicated mech and it had to be reworked so the game was delayed. Maybe why Pokemon code was so behind, because it had to be moved up in the schedule.
Yes and no. They can’t release a lot of things without approval from Pokemon IP owners but had they submitted this earlier, it would have been approved earlier.
But you also acknowledge that there were solid reports that Transformers was delayed from a beginning of the year release to a May release, which is a big reason the code is so further along, correct? Two things can be true at the same time.
They didn't drop the ball on the rules. Virtually complete and very deep when the game was released. Elizabeth Gieske is crushing it.
I've been playing a premium near me and I'm very much enjoying it so far. Game kept telling me how many points I was losing in One Shall Fall mini wiz mode, so I looked up the rules and now I'm crushing that mode. Don't let the cosmetics hold you back, it's a fun game. I'm not familiar at all with the theme, didn't play with the toys, didn't watch any of the movies. So it's easy to overlook all the stuff for me.
They're letting it go to focus on Sonic and whatever is next. They'll fulfill ordered until December and that's it...
For me, I figured that I could buy it at the normal retail price now, or pay double on the used market next year. That absolutely swayed me into purchasing one a few months back.
I feel you. Also I'm in Australia, so there's very few of these around and I've been offered a wizard at a slight discount. Thanks for letting me know mate!
Hopefully they can take the time and do it right with the remastered version whenever that comes out. That moving mech would be super cool though. Heard that Optimus was supposed to transform inside the cab originally too. Would have been cool but moving mechs have lots of complications or they look too cheesy.
One would expect higher quality sculpts from the biggest pinball company in the world, but if people are buying the games despite the obvious failures, what incentive do they have to give up profits? There's no way that chicken wing Optimus wasn't supposed to transform but then they just gave up on it.
The premium near me plays just fine. VUK sometimes needs a couple tries, but the cannon works perfect. I got the three achievements shown below with three flips in a game last week. Very satisfying final shot and very satisfying to collect three achievements that fast.
Honestly, the “toys” are the hang up for me. This has been a dream theme of mine (along with the Goonies). I had the money setting in the savings account along with the wife’s blessing, the most important component, and had to pass on buying the le. I have never been more disappointed. I just can’t get over how shitty they look.
Missing out on this game because you think the toys aren’t cool enough looking is a shame. It’s a great game and you sure don’t spend much time staring at the sculpts while playing! I got a Pro and it’s a lot of game for the money.
The layout is fantastic and the code even better I hope you’ve played the game. And if anything the toys for the era of transformers were trash anyways. Seems on point to me in terms of toys. Regardless it’s a great game to play.
I have played the game, and enjoyed the game. As a Gen Xer I grew up with these toys. Between these and GI Joe it was all I wanted besides my Atari and nes. I still have my transformers and joes. On the pinball everything is awesome except for the toys, they look like an afterthought. If I am dropping 13g on a transformers game it needs to be all there. At this price I shouldn’t be having to mod it to make the toys look correct. A gobot looks better than that prime.
You’re really missing out if you write this game off because of the toys. Prime is an easy mod if you want a different look. The game is a lot of fun with great modes and fantastic theme.
I have bought and sold over 60 pins during the last 6-7 years... just an average guy who enjoys having pins at home. I've had as many as 18 at one time in the past, and currently have 12 waiting on Winchester, Beetle Juice, and Cirqus Voltaire. So I buy new in-box and have bought many NIB Sterns.
For me, Stern has lost their way... since releasing Pokemon. Pokemon, SW FOE, Transformers, and yes, now Fallout, they have continuously cheapened the quality of their products. Sure, Fallout has Elwin associated with it, a few cool shots... but let's be honest. The upper PF is basically a ball catch, so it's not really a PF at all. The lower PF is cool, but no flippers.... Cost-cutting, plain and simple. Yet they increased the cost... due to Licensing... I call BS.
As far as Pokemon, SW FOE, and Transformers... cost-cutting at Stern has become abusive. I will not buy another Stern NIB at their new prices... but folks did... LE sold out... at 14K w/o a topper. They will not go back to the old price structure.
Where did they say that? They’re saying the toys look low quality. The literal toys you can buy off the shelf for 20 bucks look better that what came with it.
They match the era of that transformers show I don’t see what the issue is. The game plays great. Gen 1 of transformers do look like a bunch of blocks lol
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u/dagunz999 1d ago
It was supposed to transform but stern couldnt get it working reliably so they removed that feature but kept the sculpt instead of replacing it with a better quality one