[Review] Pool Nation

[Lekon]

Title: Pool Nation
Platform: XBLA, PC, PSN
Developer: CherryPop Games
MSRP: 800 MSP on XBLA.
ESRB: Everyone
Editor: James "Lekon" Barry

What's Hot: Graphics are gorgeous, sounds are dead on, and the controls are as good as can be done with a controller.

What's Not: Music gets tiring after awhile, some of the challenges for stars are damn tough, occasionally the computer will run an entire table from the break, giving you a loss before you can shoot.

Pool. Billiards, The gentleman's game. The most deadly sport. Okay, maybe not that last one. Pool Nation is a new take on the digital pool table, brought to us by Cherrypop games. It doesn't matter if you're completely new to pool, or an old shark, Pool Nation has something to offer you. Bet of all: It's utterly beautiful.

It's like playing pool in Mirror's Edge.

Pool Nation has no grand story line. What it does have is a host of options for any pool player to get the basics down, then take on anyone who dares challenge your mastery of the shiny balls of doom. Singleplayer is split up into a 9 ball and 8 ball tour, with a tutorial mode to help you learn how to control everything. During the tours you'll be unlocking new cues, new ball sets, new decals, and new locations to play pool in, either online or in the offline vs. mode. Anyone you've beat in the tour, you can take on again as an AI opponent in vs. mode.

Both online and vs. mode allow you to play 8 different game types, allowing for several of the stranger variants of pool to be played with friends. Additionally, there's an endurance game, letting you see how long you can survive while balls keep getting added to the table. Sink them fast, or die. I have to admit, the endurance mode was a blast. Trying to keep a combo going while balls were being randomly dropped on the table made for a hell of a change from the usual methodical pace of pool.

Pool Nation has some remarkably shiny designs.

While it's all well and good to have lovely graphics, and several game modes to pick from, I have to say that the controls themselves are what makes Pool Nation really impress me. When setting up a shot, you'll see an aim line (with length adjustable for online matches) to show you where the ball is headed. This is standard to digital pool games, but what is impressive is how much control Pool Nation allows you. The triggers adjust your cue's angle, the D pad changes where on the ball you hit, and your power is used by pulling the right analog back until you have just enough power, then flicking it forward. However, one button press lets your power bar lock, so you can re adjust your shot once you have just the right amount of power setup. Making a ball curve around to sink the 8 is something that is humanly possible in Pool Nation. The aim line is just long enough on beginner mode to help you learn the basics, while the advanced (shorter) lines will provide a hell of a challenge.

Controls aren't just limited to your shots though. At any time you can pause the game and go into a replay mode, where the entire match has been recorded. Rewinding, camera movements, everything's incredibly easy to do, in case you want to see just where your shot screwed up, or to see the chalk dust fly off the cue as you hit the ball airborne. Seeing your perfect off the rail shot in frame by frame is a thing of beauty. Every match you play, online or off can be saved for future joy. Or future gloating.

All of the venues can be played at day, sunset, or night, with the night modes being especially vibrant.

Pool Nation is filled with tutorials, instruction guides, and everything you need to get going. It's one of the most player friendly games I've run into in some time. The in game tutorials are quick, and the how-to sections help keep the various game modes apart. Throughout your tournaments, each opponent will have 3 stars you can win. Winning the match gets you one star, but the other two require special conditions for each given match. Maybe making a bank shot, or a 3 ball streak with a jump shot somewhere in it. Getting these extra stars unlocks bonus missions, which is where you'll usually be unlocking those extra cues, balls and decals from.

Some of the decals for your table are subtle. This isn't one of them.

If you're a fan of pool at all, this is a game to pick up. The online modes are solid, with both single match and tournament support. I had no trouble at all with getting a match going, no lag or other problems to speak of. Playing offline is just as fun, and it's rare that I saw the computer get a perfect game off the break. Usually it was nice enough to miss at least once to give me a shot at trying to win back a match. Pool Nation presents a beautiful, easy to control, and fun experience on XBLA. This is the Zen of Pool.

James says, "If you are even slightly interested in pool, grab the demo and give it a whirl."

Score: 4 out of 5 CoGs

[Darkmatter]

Are any of the bonus graphics tame enough that you could actually use them during a game without risking a seizure ever time you take a shot? I find the graphics in the 3 screenshots here just distracting.

[Lekon]

Originally Posted by Darkmatter

Are any of the bonus graphics tame enough that you could actually use them during a game without risking a seizure ever time you take a shot? I find the graphics in the 3 screenshots here just distracting.

The original set balls are like regular billiard balls, not too shiny. There's a few chrome sets as well as ones with intricate designs. The ones with detailed designs are much less shiny, so probably would be a hell of a lot easier on your eyes.

[MachEnergy]

I wish I hadn't gotten spoiled by playing pool with the PS Move wand, because this game looks great too. Thanks for raising my interest in the demo. I'll give it a whirl now, where before the cover art alone kept me away.

[Lekon]

Originally Posted by MachEnergy

I wish I hadn't gotten spoiled by playing pool with the PS Move wand, because this game looks great too. Thanks for raising my interest in the demo. I'll give it a whirl now, where before the cover art alone kept me away.

I was surprised by the fun factor of it, as well as the graphics. Let me know what you think of it!