Pure Pool Review (PS4) - ExtremeGamer's Blog

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ExtremeGamer's Blog

Pure Pool Review (PS4)

Posted on August 2, 2014 at 06:09 PM.

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It's been awhile since I got into a good pool game, always loved to play a video game version of pool, but seems so many are just not that good. Bankshot Billiards for the Xbox 360 was really the last one I dove into and played a lot, it released in 2005. So upon hearing VooFoo Studios was bringing out Pure Pool I got pretty excited to see what they had in store.

First off, the game looks incredible, it's not like a lot has to go into the graphics for a pool game, but in this case, they went above the norm. The backgrounds are full of life, with ambient noises that give you the illusion that you're in an upscale billiards hall. The controls are well done and easy to use. A simple flick of the right stick is your cue while you can also do fine aiming as well as adding spin to your shots. There's a nice, deep tutorial to help you learn the game of pool or just refine what you know to Pure Pool's mechanics.

It's set up where you can play individual CPU opponents (even download the DNA of your friends list) and play against them for single player games. You can also set up your career mode which has you building up your career through various games on a circuit. It's pretty bare bones but it boosts up your own accolades (basically built in achievements) and your stats, which this game keeps a ton of.

You can edit the your cue stick, the baize color, table skin, skill level etc, really allowing you to tailor the game to your liking.

The typical 8 and 9 ball game types are here. As well as a game called "Killer" (where you get lives and when you don't sink a ball you lose a life) and "Accumulator" (where you score points and highest score wins). There are challenges to try like Speed Pot, Checkpoint, Perfect Potter, and Royal Rumble. Most of those apply to finishing the table off as fast as possible. I'm a little disappointed there's no trick shot mode though, as it was a favorite of mine from Bankshot Billiards 2.

Not all is good however, the online is a mess so far. Servers are up then down and repeat. For some reason, when playing you get notifications at the top of the screen for ANYONE who has Pure Pool and logs on. These people aren't my friends, yet still show up. Very odd design choice and distracting while playing. Also hurts screen shots you may want to take for PS4 Share due to having this scroll bar constantly moving. When you try to play a friend (something I've been completely unsuccessful at happening so far) you have to locate them from the long list of "all players". I've yet to see a single friend in the "Friends" box part where you challenge a friend. Hopefully this online hiccup is fixed soon as it's a drawback of the game so far.

I'm going to share a link to my first online game where I came back from 5 balls down to win. Was a simply incredible feeling and experience.

Pure Pinball Online Game

Overall, Pure Pool is a fantastic pool game and for the price of $9.09 right now on PSN+, it's a no doubt pick up if you're at least mildly interested in pool video games. Don't let the online issues stop you from getting what may be the best pool game we've had in years.

Game was provided by the publisher, primary play on the PS4