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A.P.I Review: | Pool Shark | ||
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Developer: | Gremlin | OPTIONS: | SCREENSHOTS: No.1 No.2 No.3 |
Distributor: | Gremlin | 1-16 Player Multi-tap | |
Game Type: | Pool Sim | Memory Card | |
Review Date: | February 1999 | Mouse & Analog Compatible |
Setting the Scene
Green baize simulations have proved incredibly popular in video game
format over the years, with many excellent offerings on the Amiga and the
PC. However, on Playstation pool games are only just starting to evolve.
Virtual Pool was the first to be released almost eighteen months ago and
although the PC version is still regarded as one of the best game of this
type, the Playstation port received only moderate success.
Now... hot on the heels of the recent unveiling of both Pool Hustler and
Backstreet Billiards in the US, Europeans finally get their chance to
chalk up the cue and take part in a decent pool sim on Playstation.
Genre
Pool Shark features 10 three dimensional polygonal pool room environments, 18 animated characters and over 30 tables with accurate physics. It should help fill a gaping void in the lives of all of you that dream of recreating past pub glories in the comfort of your own living room.
Graphics
Usually pool games are fairly gloomy when it comes down to
visuals... line up the cue, strike the ball with accuracy and revert to a
top down view to watch and hope as the balls scatter. Gremlin Interactive
have taken a standard pool table and a full rack of balls and actually
come up with something slightly more interesting.
To begin with the character who you choose to play against is more than
just a humorous name. Gary No-One turns up at the table dressed in smart
white shirt, casual trousers and slick back hair. In fact you could say he
was dressed to blend inconspicuously in with the crowd. Wipeout bares more
resemblance to Tarzan than a high speed PSX racing game, while Ed Case
appears to have more than a screw loose.
There are also a fair share of babes who will lean provocatively over the
table, taking your mind off your balls for a few too many seconds. You
will have to play against 18 wacky characters from around the world to
become the pool champ. Each has their own style of play, personality and
skill level that you will have to overcome. Here's a few more of them.
At the age of twenty-six, Candy already won the National Pool
Championship and earned enough money to buy her own diner, known as
Candy's Bar. On the table, she's a cautious player, who often avoids
obvious opportunities. This does make her an extremely defensive player,
who'll make your game uncomfortable at the best of times!
At twenty-four, Nu Jack Hustler is seen as the old pro, and he really
likes to play the part! His playing style is just as shady as his business
dealings. He also loves to show off with doubles and the odd trick shot,
but these tend to ruin his game rather than improve it.
Idoru Idoru is a young Japanese singer with a serious need to be famous,
either through playing pool or singing in her less-than-melodic pop band.
She's a fairly average player with a tendency to be slightly
unpredictable.
Undoubtedly the oldest player on the pool circuit, it is rumored that The
Colonel witnessed the turn of the last century. He won't tolerate any
nonsense and this is reflected in his playing style. He has excellent
handling of the cue ball, but he still struggles to play accurate doubles.
Now that you know a little more about the opposition it is possibly worth
mentioning that each shot may be viewed from a top down, or third person
viewing angle. Virtually every camera position is catered for with the
inclusion of a zoom and peek button that offers total camera control to
the player. This leaves no excuses for a poor shot because you can
actually move right in up tight behind the cue ball, or wander aimlessly
around the table when checking out your angles.
The game speed maintains a silky-smooth 25 frames per second for a
high-class playing experience as the superb physics engine offers accurate
ball movement. The pace of the ball seems to differ according to the
playing surface. Some shots take an age to come to rest, while other balls
struggle to run up against the cloth. You can even chip balls off the
tables.
Regarding the tables.... Success in the Hustle mode gradually opens up a
selection of wonderful pool tables of all shapes and sizes. There are
three pocket triangular, four pocket kite, six pocket hexagonal, 'L'
shaped and glass tables. Red, green, and blue baize. Solid and see-through
surfaces. In fact there are 30 in all, varying in size and geometry,
offering a wealth of interesting gameplay.
I only found one problem with the visuals, although it could be
considered by some to be quite serious. Most of the tables have a flat,
true playing surface. However, the baize runs up the sides, and slightly
over, the edges of the table. Now because most of the playing venues are
set in a dark and dingy environment I constantly found myself misjudging
the pockets. At first I thought that the ball was rebounding off the side
cushions at least an inch before it got there, but soon realized that it
was connecting with this 'camouflaged lip'. Playing doubles accurately
became extremely frustrating. The game is still playable, but this optical
illusion is a bad error in design.
Sounds and Effects
Don't expect too much chatter about the sound effects in a pool game. The clatter as the pack is broken up and the rattle of ball going into pocket is accurate as one would expect. The background music changes with the scenery ranging from electronic vibes at the futuristic cafe venues to hard rock in the backstreet bars.
Playability
The entire gameplay would fall flat on the floor had the balls not
reacted as they would in real life. Gremlin Interactive have been working
tirelessly for over two years to create a full 3D maths, physics engine
and the result of their success is fully evident in Pool Shark. Once you
get to grips with the unique control method it actually feels as if you
are pushing a real pool ball around a real table. It is so important to
create this effect and Gremlin have certainly succeeded where others have
failed.
Before commencing play you may wish to take a mosey along to the School
of Pool. Here you will discover the facilities which will improve your
game, should your cue arm be a little rusty. There's a nice Interactive
Tutorial for advanced shots, positional and basic potting. Each challenge
may be explained, viewed or played. How many different sets of rules are
there for pool games? Too many! To solve this problem Gremlin have
included a dossier with fourteen sets of rules including local variations
and sub options. Practice a rack on your own without fear of defeat with
between one and fifteen balls while the School of Pool also includes the
now customary selection of Trick Shots to play or watch.
Okay, it's time to stack 'em, rack 'em and smack 'em!
Quick Start allows you to start a match without setting the game options.
Simply decide on the number of players and difficulty setting, then off
you go.
Match is a single game against the player of your choice. Location and
rules may be defined for this match which include number of games, table
size, table style, points required, type of balls, call shot rule and
number of balls in rack.
Tournament is a knockout competition where up to sixteen human or CPU
players compete to determine the outright winner.
Hustle is a single player game where CPU players are ranked by their
talent. Up to four players are initially available to play. Defeat one of
them and you move up to the next difficulty mode until you finally earn
the chance to take on Philly Joe, the reigning champion. Each new
character and style of pool table that is unveiled becomes selectable in
other modes.
Before beginning any mode of play you must first confirm which rules both
players will adhere to. There's not just your standard 8-ball UK and US
rules either. 9-ball, 10-ball, 3-ball, 6-ball, Rotation, Bank, Speed Pool,
One Pocket, Cut-Throat, and Killer Pool are just a few of the styles
you'll have to learn. There is even a set of Ten Pin Bowling Pool rules.
There are many variations in each location, which means you have to use
every ounce of your skill to succeed, and maybe a few trick shots. The
number of games required for a win may be set from a single game up to
first to 50.
Pool Shark may be played using standard, analog or mouse pad. When using
the analog controller the left stick is used to aim and adjust, while the
right stick moves the camera view. Lining up a shot could not be easier
thanks to the intelligent use of the shoulder buttons. Holding down R1
(Next Ball) allows you to quickly target the position of each of the
balls. Fine tune slows down the operating speed of the control system. You
may also apply a little English or adjust the butt angle of your cue to
perform swerves and jump shots.
Finally Gremlin have incorporated an idea from their golfing games to
allow more precise cue action... a Power Bar. By holding down the Shoot
button you may adjust a sliding bar to adjust the strength of your shot. A
large black bar will result in a much stronger hit of the ball while a
tiny slot allows you to carefully stroke the ball with precision. Once you
let go of the Shoot button a colored power lever will constantly move up
and down within the black bar. The further up the scale... the more
powerful the shot. A further tap of the Shoot button determines the
strength of your shot. This system allows unprecedented control over the
cue ball resulting in extremely accurate gameplay.
Value for Money
Pool just got a lot more exciting. No Longer will you be limited to one mundane green table. You can tour the world, play many different styles of pool on many different shapes of table in the Hustler game. Pool Shark offers excellent VFM and should keep the average pool player going well into the night.
Opinion | ||
MARTIN | ||
GRAPHICS: | 16/20 | Pool
Shark is an extremely addictive game resulting in an increase in the
size of the bags under my eyes. It certainly has that 'just one more
game' feel to it, while the Multi-player option allows 16 human players
to take part in a drunken session of pool. The slight disappointment is that while the graphics and physics are top notch the problem of judging precisely where the cushion begins and ends may lead to a few frustrations. I lined up many a shot seemingly straight into the jaws of the pocket only to find the side cushion jutted out a little more that it first seemed. Perhaps I'm just crap at pool? I don't think so! Shame! This could have been the pool sim we were all waiting for. Two marks deducted for graphical hallucinations |
SOUND: | 6/10 | |
PLAYABILITY: | 44/50 | |
VALUE: | 19/20 | |
OVERALL | 85% |