Virtual Pool [DOS]

Review

by Mark Kanarick

Virtual Pool is quite a game. Anyone that has played before, whether just once or twice, or someone that owns a table will be interested in this game. It is just about as close to playing pool as you can come. It's very easy to set up your game, and there's no problem knowing what type of opponent your dealing with, when their names range from Mrs. Offen and Eiza Crossed to Dead - Eye Dan. If you're playing Dead - Eye, don't miss, because you're not going to be getting a shot for awhile, if at all. The many modes other than the actual "play mode" add to the game. There's an history of pool video, done in animation, and voiced by an English guy. Another option is a tutorial, where you can learn from professional player, Machine Gun Lou Batera. He first shows why he got his nickname, pocketing a whole rack in about a minute. Then he goes into strategies for different shots, including putting English, or curve on the ball. There is also a very helpful animated tutorial that tells you how to get around, using different options like network or modem play. Finally, there is a trick shot section, showing everything from the masse to three - ball combinations.

The game itself is rather enjoyable. You take control of a pool cue that is essentially hanging in midair, and you can customize anything and everything you want. From where on the ball you hit it to the angle of the cue to the speed, it's all there. There are also different types of games ranging from straight pool to nine ball to rotation. I found rotation to be fun, but difficult. Rotation is the game where a player must hit the lowest numbered ball before pocketing one. It does not matter whether the lowest - numbered ball is pocketed, it simply must be hit first. There is a high replay - value on this game, as you will keep coming back to try to beat that next opponent or your high score.

This game is not without problems though. The main one that I can think of is that I found myself occasionally just taking hard, fast shots in the general direction of the balls and getting lots in. Although this game does have a wonderful physics model, and the balls move just as you would expect them to, I just had a problem with this. I found that I could pocket way too many balls without even paying attention.

Although this game does have it's problems, it is definitely a keeper, and if you do play it like you should (no cheating) you will, like they say, improve your real game. I have. I still stink though...