VIRTUAL POOL 3
addition to controlling the view and angle, you can configure any english (spin) played on the shot, reposition on the cue ball to control your eventual shape, and enable a handy tracking option that shows you where your shot will go and what will happen to your target. Tracking is not a new feature, but it’s easily the best option for learning the game. Of course, tracking makes the game way too easy and is only available when you’re playing alone.
Whether you’re in the Career or Quick Play modes, you can select from various game types that include straight pool, 9-ball, 8-ball, the more eclectic Cribbage and Bowlliards games, plus many more. Just about any game you’ve ever heard of is included here.
A Replacement for the Real Thing
Graphics have been tweaked, but they still have a somewhat cartoony look to them. What’s missing is some texturing on the pool table itself, which appears too much like a one-color green mat. The balls themselves have nice coloring, lighting, and shadows, though there doesn’t seem as if any changes have been made to the table or the balls in different lighting conditions. The noticeable improvements are in the new locations, which look just fine, if motionless. It might have been nice if the locations had been animated and if there were moving 3D characters in the background, but there’s always the next release.
Other than Career Mode, there’s a Quick Play single-player option that allows you to jump right into the action. Your player’s score will be maintained separately from Career play, so any of the games you play in the single player mode won’t affect your career.
The multiplayer mode that uses the GameSpy Arcade matching program is straightforward enough. There is a worldwide ranking system that allows you to compete for recognition, although once again there isn’t any real difference between the gameplay in the career mode and what you’ll find in multiplayer.
All in all, the Virtual Pool series is one of the best around. Whether you decide to upgrade your current version depends on how much you want to see the new training videos, start a career and advance through various AI difficulty settings, and use the new, free multiplayer component. As an entry point to the series, Virtual Pool 3 is an excellent choice that can even serve as a pretty good replacement for the real thing.
