View source for PinOut

{{Short description|2016 mobile video game}}
{{Distinguish|Pinout}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = PinOut
| image = PinOutappcover.png
| developer = Mediocre
| publisher = Mediocre
| platforms = [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]]
| released = October 27, 2016
| genre = [[Pinball video game|Pinball]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| designer = Emil Bengtsson
| programmer = Dennis Gustafsson
| artist = Henrik Johansson
| composer = Douglas Holmquist
}}

'''''PinOut''''' is a [[pinball video game]] developed by the Swedish [[indie game]] studio Mediocre. It was released in October 2016 for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]].<ref name=TouchArcade /><ref name=Wired /> The goal of the game is to propel a ball as far as possible before time runs out. After the first 7 levels the endless mode begins.
<ref name=Wired /><ref name=PocketGamer />

== Gameplay ==

The game has the basic appearance of a conventional pinball game, with a rolling ball propelled upward on the play field by hitting it with [[Flipper (pinball)|flippers]].  However, unlike a conventional pinball game, the play field extends upwards endlessly.  The display follows the ball as it moves.  Multiple flippers are placed throughout the play field.  There is no drain; play is limited by a timer.  The challenge is to go as far as possible up the play field, within the available time.<ref name=Wired />

The player controls the flippers by tapping the left or right of the screen.  The player can also hold the flippers to "catch" the ball, for a more precise shot.<ref name=PocketGamer />

To gain additional time, the player can hit glowing dots with the ball, gaining 1 second per dot.  If the time run out, the game ends.  There are ten [[checkpoint (video gaming)|checkpoints]] in the game.  With an [[in-app purchase]], the player can enable restarting from past checkpoints, restoring their progress to that point.  Otherwise, players must start at the beginning.<ref name=Wired />

If the player makes it past the main play fields, there is an "Overtime" mode, where the player keeps playing the same course until time expires.<ref name=Wired />

=== Minigames ===

There are four different [[minigame]]s (one of these is [[easter egg]] to ''[[Does not Commute]]'', another Mediocre AB game) which, when the player lose, the resulting score will be added to the timer.  These minigames appear in a small area at the top of the screen, reminiscent of the "video mode" minigames in hybrid electronic pinball games.<ref name=Lifewire />

=== Power-ups ===

Like the minigames, [[power-up]]s appear as colored orbs on the playing field, and are obtained when the ball touches the orb.  The game then offers the player a choice between two of the following:<ref name=GamezeboTips />

* '''Slow Motion''' — slows the ticks of the timer.
* '''Time Freeze''' — stops the timer for 10 flips of the flippers.
* '''Motion Link''' — the timer ticks when the ball is in motion.
* '''Push''' — allows the player to move the ball in any direction.
* '''Warp''' — allows the player to skip part of a level.
* '''Time Doubler''' — makes the glowing dots worth 2 seconds instead of 1.
* '''Random''' — one of the other power-ups listed above is granted.

== Reception ==

{{Video game reviews
| MC = 81/100<ref name=Metacritic />
| rev1 = [[Gamezebo]]
| rev1Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=GamezeboReview />
| rev2 = ''[[Pocket Gamer]]''
| rev2Score = 9/10<ref name=PocketGamer />
| rev3 = ''[[TouchArcade]]''
| rev3Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name=TouchArcadeReview />
}}

[[Metacritic]] gave the game an average score of 81 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name=Metacritic /> [[Gamezebo]] gave PinOut a rating of 4.5 stars, praising its graphics and soundtrack, while criticizing the timer as oppressive.<ref name=GamezeboReview /> ''[[Pocket Gamer]]'' praised the originality, game-play, and aesthetics, but said it can be "a little tough".<ref name=PocketGamer />

{{Clear}}

== See also ==

* ''[[Smash Hit (video game)|Smash Hit]]'' - another game from Mediocre involving balls

== References ==

<references>

<ref name=GamezeboTips>{{cite web
|last=Amaris
|first=Lian
|date=2016-11-01
|title=PinOut Tips, Cheats and Strategies
|website=Gamezebo
|url=http://www.gamezebo.com/2016/11/01/pinout-tips-cheats-strategies/
|access-date=2017-02-19
}}</ref>

<ref name=GamezeboReview>{{cite web
|last=Amaris
|first=Lian
|date=2016-11-02
|title=PinOut Review: Play This Silver Ball
|website=Gamezebo
|url=http://www.gamezebo.com/2016/11/02/pinout-review-play-silver-ball/
|access-date=2017-02-20
}}</ref>

<ref name=PocketGamer>{{cite web
|last=Cowley
|first=Ric
|date=2016-10-27
|title=PinOut review - the pinball reinvention you never knew you needed
|website=Pocket Gamer
|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/PinOut/review.asp?c=71894
|access-date=2017-02-19
}}</ref>

<ref name=TouchArcade>{{cite web
|last=Funnell
|first=Rob
|date=2016-10-27
|title=Endless Neon Pinball Game 'PinOut' From the Developers of 'Smash Hit' Is Finally Available Worldwide|website=TouchArcade
|url=http://toucharcade.com/2016/10/27/pinout-worldwide-launch/
|access-date=2017-02-19
}}</ref>

<ref name=TouchArcadeReview>{{cite web
|url=https://toucharcade.com/2016/12/30/pinout-review-a-pretty-good-spin-on-pinball/
|title='PinOut!' Review – A Pretty, Good Spin on Pinball
|last=Musgrave
|first=Shaun
|date=2016-12-30
|website=[[TouchArcade]]
|accessdate=2018-07-14
}}</ref>

<ref name=Wired>{{cite magazine
|last=Kohler
|first=Chris
|date=2016-11-01
|title=Fantastic PinOut! Puts an Infinite Spin on Pinball
|magazine=WIRED
|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/11/pinout-game/
|language=en-US
|access-date=2017-02-19
}}</ref>

<ref name=Metacritic>{{Cite web
|title=PinOut! for iPhone/iPad Reviews
|website=[[Metacritic]]
|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]
|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pinout/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad
|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>

<ref name=Lifewire>{{cite web
|last=Squires
|first=Jim
|date=2016-11-14
|website=Lifewire
|url=https://www.lifewire.com/pinout-pinball-4107173
|title=PinOut is Pinball with an Endless Twist
|access-date=2017-02-19
}}</ref>

</references>

== External links ==

* [http://www.mediocre.se/pinout/ Official website]

[[Category:2016 video games]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Marble video games]]
[[Category:Pinball video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Sweden]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]