Sprt: Future Pool [by Cornutopia]

Game Review: Future Pool
Reviewer: Lenin Lopez
Release Date: January 7, 2005
Developer: Cornutopia
Genre: Sports
System Requirements: Windows 95/98/ME/XP/NT/2000, DX 8+, 500mhz CPU
Players: 1-6
Price: $16.00


In the future, the game of pool will be void of pockets, cue sticks, or rails. This begs the question, “What are we left with?” Cornutopia's Future Pool.

Future Pool is premised on the same rules of your typical game of 8-ball. It’s head to head and the goal is to get all your colored balls off the table and then hit the 8-ball off before your opponent can do the same. Losing by scratching still applies, but you can hit your opponent’s ball before you hit your own. Either way what makes the game fun is the presentation and the different modes of play.

The table is 3D and circular. The background is pitch black…what else would you expect in the future? In place of a traditional cue stick, Future Pool uses something straight out of Batteries Not Included (note: not really, but if you’ve seen the movie you know what I mean). You move the future cue stick around the table with the mouse or the arrow keys and you can change the angle that you want to hit the ball. You can shoot with the left mouse button and the longer you hold it the more powerful the shot. The future cue stick works the same as you would expect a traditional one to work on a 3D circular table.

There are a four table arrangements you can play. The first three arrangements have 12-16 balls with an 8-ball thrown in for good measure. The last and the most challenging arrangement has 14 balls with three 8-balls. Breaking the table in the last arrangement has to be surgical because it is easy to scratch if you try to go in there with guns a blazin’.

You can either play a solo match, a single match, or try your luck at the Kalbooki Tournament. The solo match starts you off at the bottom of the rung. You play the worst player, Box Car Bob, and then try to move up 15 more spots to take on Jace “The Ace” Stockwell. The single match is just that…a single match. Like the solo match, you can choose the arrangement, but in the single match you can choose your opponent. So if you aren’t good enough to get to Jace “The Ace” Stockwell by playing the solo match, you can pit yourself against him in the single match. The Kalbooki Tournament places you in a tournament against all the Future Pool players. If you’re lucky you might play: King Moko, John Tanner, or maybe even Coco Rocaine. If you want to get some friends in the action, you can enter up to six “humans” from the present and have them go into the future with you and play Future Pool.

Graphics: 7
For the type of game that it is, the graphics are done very well. There is some graininess when you change the options of the balls from spheres to a more rigid geometric shape, but it doesn’t take away from the game. Besides I prefer the not play with the spheres. For some reason it looks a bit cooler with the other option.

Sound: 8
All right techno lovers…this is your game. What else would a game of pool in the future be played to? I’m not to big of a fan of techno beats but it really didn’t hurt the game play. Ultimately the music went along seamlessly with the game. The sounds of the balls hitting each other did the job well. Only complaint is that no matter how hard you hit the ball, the sound was the same.

Game Play: 7
The targeting system works well and there were only a few instances where I think I was robbed of a shot, but I think that was just my inept style of play. After playing the game a few times you realize just how difficult such a seemingly easy game can be. Future Pool has a solid amount of difficulties in the form of witty named computer opponents. The first couple of players aren’t that bright and will end up hitting the 8-ball out before the rest of their other balls, but once you get past the first three or four players it’s gets pretty tough. Only thing is I wish it had a few more table arrangements.

Value: 8
US $16 is not a bad deal for this game. If you like pool games then I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I’ve dropped most pool games I’ve played after a couple of times out, this one has kept my interest longer then any pool games in the past. Maybe because it’s pool in the future and Michael J. Fox sparked my interest in the subject back in the 80’s. Sure you’re not gonna be able to pull any masses…it’s still a worthwhile game to check out. The demo gives you a good taste of what it has to offer.

Concept: 7
The concept reminds me of a mixture between marbles and pool. Lame mixture on the surface…yes of course, but it pulls it off. I wasn’t completely sold on the game until after the first couple of rounds. Once you get the hang of it, it is a bit addictive. I think much of it has to do with the computer opponent A.I. One thing I do hate in any game is weak A.I. and Jace “The Ace” Stockwell is far from it.

Fun: 8
This game become addictive very quickly. Currently, I have completely stopped playing anything but the arrangement with the three 8-balls because it poses the greater challenge. Ultimately, what keeps this game fun is the challenging computer opponents and the three 8-ball arrangement.

Overall: 7
If you like pool games, Future Pool might be right up your alley. For those of you who enjoy puzzle games, this might also be something that you would like. All in all, Cornutopia accomplished what it appears it set out to do: make a quality game.
Added: April 23rd 2005
Reviewer: Lenin Lopez
Score:
Hits: 4436
Language: english