INTRODUCTION
Digital Illusions series of pinball games have somewhat ruled the roost as far as Amiga pinball games go - some have even hailed them as the definitive pinballers. So maybe it comes as a bit of a surprise then to learn of a new challenger on the market from Swedish team, Unique Developments, with Amiga development from Blade.
The game originally came out on the ST and I happened to review it for ST Review magazine. Back then I awarded it a massive 98 per cent, and said it was 'the best ST game ever!' so I awaited the Amiga version with glee.
However, the Amiga market is another kettle of fish altogether, and after being spoilt by Digital Illusions previous offerings, I wasn't quite sure where Obsession would fit in with the state of play. So to be fair when marking this game, it has to be scored in relation to others available.
STORYLINE
Aquatic Adventure is, believe it or not, a sea-
X-ile Zone, on the other hand, is a futuristic table. It's set in 2058 after a nuke attack and your mission is to kill the enemy leader, after completing a number of missions.
Balls and Bats has a sporty theme and puts you in the role of a world-
Desert Run deals with life in the fast lane. You must get from Paris to Dakar as you leave the roads and try to earn the title 'Desert Runner'.
FLASHBACK
Other pinball games available for the Amiga are from Digital Illusions and these have sold in abundance and gained many fans. Obsession is an excellent game in its own right, but I'm afraid it is let down against Pinball Illusions because it doesn't have multi-
Saying that, though, the graphics are very impressive for a game of this nature, especially as this isn't the AGA version.
Missions
Desert Run: you are racing from Paris to Dakar and to finish a stage you must light the pit stop lamps, but to light a lamp you have to buy enough fuel units. Money will be given to you at two stages - the Hundring Ramp and the Speed Passage. To get a really high score, though, you must finish each stage as either the first or second car, and to increase your place in the race you need to go through the Place Passage.
Balls and Bats: Two-play modes are available for this Baseball-
X-ile Zone: On this table you have a series of missions to complete before you can go ahead and kill the enemy tribe leader. The nine missions are displayed in the middle of the table and to complete one you must light 'Death' and shoot the ball into the Mission Ball Trap.
Aquatic Adventure: Try and spell 'Dive' and then you go onto to do one of two things. You can either increase the Bonus Multiplier at the bottom of the table or enter a Dive Mission where there are five to complete, from Deep Dive to Submarine Hunt. The Starfish ball trap also gives extra awards such as bonus points or an extra ball.
SOUND
Again, these are fitting to the theme of the table such as the dark, moody X-ile Zone which has a mysterious introduction tune and then as the ball sets off around the table, a louder beat kicks in.
A nice range of voice samples have also been included, for example, in Balls and Bats you get the Americanised baseball slogan 'Play Ball' or 'Strike'. Sound effects such as the flippers hitting the ball and bells ringing when you hit certain lights work well too.
78%GRAPHICS
There are four tables available and each has a different them, varying immensely from the dark, foreboding atmosphere of X-ile Zone to the jovial Sports theme.
Each table is bright and colourful and are pieces of art in their own right - well in a 'streetwise' way! This is because of the airbrushed look that is reminiscent of graffiti art or even pop art. The overall effect is of a very modern style and all worked brilliantly as backdrops for this sort of game.
The tracks for the balls have been well designed too and provide an exciting challenge for the player, as well as being clearly set out so as not to cause confusion. Animations, lights and traps all add to the realism.
85%OPINION87%
This is a very able pinballer, it has to be said. It doesn't have the glamour of Pinball Illusions, but it certainly gives it a run for its money.
Obsession comes across as a very authentic pin game. The ball moves at the right speed and feels like the correct weight, flippers respond well to the keyboard controls and the tilt feature - left, right and middle - works nicely.
The eight-player mode allows for some excellent multi-
This version is available for all Amigas, though a new AGA version is promised soon.