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TZ - What am I missing?

teachp8

teachp8

Registered
10 Years
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
935
Location
Peterborough
When I was a young 'un TZ came into the local pier just after TAF and whilst I would happily pump the coins into TAF, I never found the same love for TZ. It's such a highly thought of game, so many things to shoot for and, if I recall correctly, was bloody hard. I haven't had a chance to put some extended time on TZ since my childhood but feel I really should. So, for all you TZ lovers out there, what am I missing out on - best game ever made or not really that great?
 
as with most Lawlor machines its bloody awful
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bartron' date=' post: 1682232 said:
as with most Lawlor machines its bloody awful
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I though that until recently, took me 4 years to bond with mine, yes it's good but not that good, I thought it was a depressing pile of ****e until I got LITZ the other week, not played it since though, Scared Stiff is the hot new flavour, love that pin, you are right about the football........... football sucks balls, never liked it, can't understand why people beat the crap out of each other over it, why would you want to watch a load of men in shorts anyway??…. seriously think about it for a moment
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teachp8' date=' post: 1682225 said:
When I was a young 'un TZ came into the local pier just after TAF and whilst I would happily pump the coins into TAF, I never found the same love for TZ. It's such a highly thought of game, so many things to shoot for and, if I recall correctly, was bloody hard. I haven't had a chance to put some extended time on TZ since my childhood but feel I really should. So, for all you TZ lovers out there, what am I missing out on - best game ever made or not really that great?
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For me - one of the best games ever made. It's Lawlors masterpiece. For me the reason being no other game plays or feels like TZ, very unique playfield layout with everything bar the kitchen sink in there - magnets... that act intelligently to help the player - not there just to throw the ball wildly around, multiple scoops, crazy flipperless mini playfield, the powerball, the gumball machine, 4 flippers etc. Incredible sounds and lights also that fully do the theme justice.



Seriously think about it - no other layout like it.



OK - so superficially there are similar rules to the Addams ie complete door (TAF mansion) to get Lost In The Zone wizard mode (TAFs Tour The Mansion). But that is to ignore the sheer depth and awesomeness of the software/rules. Hitchhikers, powerball, battling the power, dead ends, robots .....there are NO wasted/pointless shots on TZ - everything has a purpose or builds towards other awards. There are many ways to approach it, different little strategies that vary game to game and keep it interesting - but you do have to put the time in and let it all sink in.



Its a game that you undoubtedly *must* spend time with. I know a lot of people who have owned one and it didn't 'click' with them until months and months of play. But once it does ...oh its just great, and you just look on with pity for those who don't 'get' it.



True - many people don't seem to care for it ...it is a pretty hardcore game, and won't be to everyones tastes but then you can say that about any game.



I would urge anyone to at least own it once and give it a chance. I would be very very reluctant to sell mine, and I have had it good 5+ years now.
 
TZ was my first machine. The rule is deep and very well thought out. LITZ is amazing and you never forget the first one you get.

If im honest though i enjoyed playing my second machine TAF more...and my 3rd and current machine SS even more.

I dont miss it and will probably never get another as it's just too 'serious'

Nothing can take away the fact that it is a masterpiece however...just not fun enough for myself.
 
Thanks for the replies folks. Had a very kind offer from a member of the Forum who doesn't live too far away to go and enjoy some TZ pin time. What a great site this is!

For me - one of the best games ever made.
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V excited about finding that out for myself...
 
BIG thanks to 'I TiltAlot' who answered my call with a really kind offer to go and play his TZ. Spent yesterday morning at Keith's house, mainly playing TZ but also discussing different pins and playing his collection (great collection btw!). I can see how I thought it was a really difficult game when I was younger as it is a really difficult game now. What I was most impressed with is that there is rarely a wasted shot and once you lose control of the ball you're done for. So much to think about and such a clever game - I can see that I have barely scratched the surface on it and yet I am compelled to play again - I was very taken. Thanks a lot Keith, hope to do it again soon and thanks to this Forum for making it happen - great site!!





Mark
 
Thanks Mark, it was a great morning. Appreciate your input on my Shadow, I think it will be leaving my collection soon though...



Yes, TZ is such an amazing game. You really have to be "dialled in" to it to play it how it should be played. One bad shot, and it's straight off a post or a target SDTM or down one of those yawning outlanes. Those pop bumpers can be very cruel at times too!

Most days I'll walk up to it, play a couple of 5 minute/sub-100 million games, give up in disgust and walk away. :mad: Some days it all goes right, and I know then that this game will never leave my collection. Magic! :cool:



Keith
 
I TiltAlot' date=' post: 1687793 said:
Yes, TZ is such an amazing game. You really have to be "dialled in" to it to play it how it should be played. One bad shot, and it's straight off a post or a target SDTM or down one of those yawning outlanes. Those pop bumpers can be very cruel at times too!

Most days I'll walk up to it, play a couple of 5 minute/100 million games, give up in disgust and walk away. :mad: Some days it all goes right, and I know then that this game will never leave my collection. Magic! :cool:



Keith
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+1
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Jury still out for me as heard too many people say it can become a chore playing it. Never owned one and I have enjoyed the games I have played on it. Looks great, tons to do so might get one at some point.
 
If you don't have room for lots of pins, I found it is a good one to have because of the sheer depth of the rules. there always seems to be something to do. It was the first pin in, and probably (since the wife likes it as well) the last one out.
 
teachp8' date=' post: 1682225 said:
When I was a young 'un TZ came into the local pier just after TAF and whilst I would happily pump the coins into TAF, I never found the same love for TZ. It's such a highly thought of game, so many things to shoot for and, if I recall correctly, was bloody hard. I haven't had a chance to put some extended time on TZ since my childhood but feel I really should. So, for all you TZ lovers out there, what am I missing out on - best game ever made or not really that great?
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You;re missing nothing. Had one for 3 years - never really "got" it - wished id have kept my WW that i sold to get it now!!!
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Seen that you are not the only one to regret selling WH20.



Is this because it has become a 'hot, popular' pin and so more desirable?



If everybody said it has annoying music and is just a ton of ramps would it be so missed?



Just curious as have been trying to get one for a while but wondering if it is over hyped at the moment??
 
No it was because both me and the kids loved it. Maybe that was part and parcel of why i hated TZ - i got rid of a nice WW for it and REALLY didnt get on with TZ at all, and nor did the kids. People say it's really deep - i just saw it as boring... WW was fun and a good laugh on the other hand.....
 
Yep, and fun is what it is all about:)



Maybe that is why I play FT so much even though it is my 'lowest ranked' pin.
 
Replay' date=' post: 1688319 said:
Seen that you are not the only one to regret selling WH20.



Is this because it has become a 'hot, popular' pin and so more desirable?



If everybody said it has annoying music and is just a ton of ramps would it be so missed?



Just curious as have been trying to get one for a while but wondering if it is over hyped at the moment??
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Whitewater is such a good game because it has subtle touches like timing the 5X playfield award just before starting multiball. Then there is the agony of mistiming multiball so that it screws up your Vacation Jackpot.



Really, really good game. Surprised me how much I like it once I bought one.



You have to own a Twilight Zone to fully appreciate it I think. If you are playing well you can really fly through the modes to get to LITZ because you can have more than one mode running at once. Interesting and unique game and I can't see mine going anywhere soon.
 
So I've had my TZ for a couple of months now and I thought I'd chime in here.

I wanted on of these for ages and ages having only ever played one a couple of times very breifly. I was literally buzzing driving back home with it in the back of the car.



So I got her all setup and played her for a couple of hours. Truth be told, I was dissapointed. I just could not get into it at all.

This happens to me a lot when I play games for the first time so I wasn't really that worried. A few days passed and I got a lot better at it but still did not love it. I was already thinking about moving it on!



Then something happened!! I had the most amazing game. I was hitting everything! I was on fire. I even got LITZ! It was awesome, honestly! One of the best games of pinball I have ever had.



I have yet to get LITZ again since (or I may have got it once, I can't quite remember) but I have had some truely fantastic games on it.

Having said that, I have had some bloody awful ones too where I just can't get the flow right. I swear this machine anoys me so much that in the months that I have owned it I must have thought about selling it at least 50 times. But every now and again, everything just pulls together and it becomes an exilirating game. When this happens, it is a brilliant pinball experience.



I don't think I have ever come across a game that makes me switch between love and hate like TZ does. Really. Some days I would gladly smash it to pieces and other days I would not dream of giving it up.



I agree with what others say though. It's definately a game to own to fully appreciate it. (Or, if you've had a few bad games, fully detest it.)



Dean
 
just does not do it for me

weird as I have a few Lawlor games I love-FGuy,BRun,RBION

Oh well,joys of us all liking diff things:)
 
Lol. Agreed. I'll get working on my own psych-out tent tonight.



Incedentally, TZ has totally grown on me. It would be the last to leave if I had to sell the collection. I think it really could be the greatest pin ever made...
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GrizZ' date=' post: 1690328 said:
Seriously ?? :confused: Though it wouldn't surprise me
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Or is it just the last bit you are joking about ?
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No. No joke! I love it. It has taken a while but it has just clicked with me. I have played it a lot recently. Nothing else has got a look in. I got LITZ the other night and was one door panel short of getting it again in the same game. Was totally awesome.
 
Replay' date=' post: 1688319 said:
Seen that you are not the only one to regret selling WH20.



Is this because it has become a 'hot, popular' pin and so more desirable?



If everybody said it has annoying music and is just a ton of ramps would it be so missed?



Just curious as have been trying to get one for a while but wondering if it is over hyped at the moment??
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WH20 is a worthy addition to any collection IMO, I am on my 3rd and may do a pf swap and redecal at some point in the future although it is a really nice example as it, they seem to be getting scarce, it was £600 pin a few years back but those days are bye bye, I think the last two on ebay (both came up together) went awol B4 auction end, such seems to be the way of things, it has crept up in desirability over night, seemed to be on par with Fish Tales at one time, now it is tough one to get in the bag.
 
I'd pay £600 for one again - thats what my last one went for, and i wish i hadnt sold it on and had got rid o the TZ at the time i replaced it with.... that one only lasted 6 months as well as i seem to have a built in hatred for TZ....
 
GrizZ' date=' post: 1690386 said:
Or £200 if the ebay gods were looking down on you
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Damn ...I wasn't suppose to mention that ever again
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LMAO, mad though FT and WH2O were classed as the entry level, cheap and cheerful happy starting point machines, FT still is
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WH2O made a run for it.
 
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