Pool Nation

 PC
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 82
  3. Negative: 5 out of 82

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  1. Legendaryheart
    Jun 30, 2017
    7
    This Beauty breaks my heart bittersweetly. It made! me make a Metacritic account, made! me write my 1st review ever, here … a poison luv letter …'Cherry Pop,' that’s even a pun, right? … Dear Tart,

    I’m reviewing my Steam experience of PN, on PC. As a physics sim: brilliant. I played pool IRL (in real life) (I’m 54) decades. This, It Feels Like Shooting Pool. That is a huge thing.    This Beauty breaks my heart bittersweetly. It made! me make a Metacritic account, made! me write my 1st review ever, here … a poison luv letter …'Cherry Pop,' that’s even a pun, right? … Dear Tart,

    I’m reviewing my Steam experience of PN, on PC.

    As a physics sim: brilliant. I played pool IRL (in real life) (I’m 54) decades. This, It Feels Like Shooting Pool. That is a huge thing.

    PN Best of Times: I was, for a space of time, even, the admin of a Steam PN club for shooting Straight on PN. It was glorious, when it thrived. I have good memories. Of beer, music in the headphones, chat window, those individual opponents, pool players! I met, & fought on felt! immersively. It was Pool!

    The 'when it thrived' thing's the thing. PN now utterly is dead as a multiplayer experience on Steam, &, long-time - its multiplayer viability was way, way brief. Is that Cherry Pop’s fault? what, they're stupid? largely, yes! it is! their fault! Here, the big WTF: PN’s interface for its multiplayer lobby is ugly & dumb. Why?! why make a PC interface of a game that’s meant to be played multiplayer via a lobby - & you can’t put it in windowed mode?! I mean, I launch PN via Steam, post a game invite in the Lobby, am happy enough to let it sit till someone comes along & joins it, meanwhile of course I'll multitask, do my taxes, look at porn, whatever, write my novel, in another PC task window … No! PN will only show your lobby game, waiting for someone to join it, in full-window. It’s all or nothing, sorry you wanted to use your computer.

    Well: Nothing does show ip in the Lobby, anymore. At all, ever.

    It’s more than disappointing, because it’s a beautiful physics. It’s soul-crushing.

    /Legendary    … Expand
  2. azgoodaz
    Jul 7, 2016
    7
    Pool is a great and fun hobby, and this game is a decent game that's based around Pool. Sadly 1) You can't change how you shoot (which is weird), the whole mechanic of moving your mouse and pressing space bar doesn't really make it enjoyable to play. And 2) There are not many people that play online, but it does offer a campaign. So I suggest playing with friends?
  3. mikas
    Sep 29, 2014
    6
    I have mixed emotions about this game. This pool is not bad. But i have some problems with handling and camera. When you want to lock your aim and shot, camera is not locked so you move your stick to shot and camera is moving down and up too! Its very confusing. And after shot, camera immediately move to another angle. Its fast cut with camera so i am affraid i will get the epilepticI have mixed emotions about this game. This pool is not bad. But i have some problems with handling and camera. When you want to lock your aim and shot, camera is not locked so you move your stick to shot and camera is moving down and up too! Its very confusing. And after shot, camera immediately move to another angle. Its fast cut with camera so i am affraid i will get the epileptic attack. And i am playng lots of 1st shooters and no problem, but this after shot cutting camera is quite embrassing for me. And finally last problem. Too much future look. I would like to see some old pub with old table, but there you play in very future and modern enviroment. I think old Virtual Pool 3 was much better than this. But still this game is possible to play.… Expand
  4. TheGamerGuy
    Aug 16, 2014
    0
    Pool Nation started promising but that all seemed to be pure bluffing. I bought it on Steam for the PC and back then (round about 10 months ago) it said "Box of Tricks coming soon". This DLC isn't available till now, except as a Beta-Testing. To access the Beat players muss ask the developers to get a key. This Beta is now going on fpr at least 4 months and in this time the Devs arePool Nation started promising but that all seemed to be pure bluffing. I bought it on Steam for the PC and back then (round about 10 months ago) it said "Box of Tricks coming soon". This DLC isn't available till now, except as a Beta-Testing. To access the Beat players muss ask the developers to get a key. This Beta is now going on fpr at least 4 months and in this time the Devs are constantly saying that BoT is nearly finished.

    Away from the DLC-Hoax there are numerous problems for many players like graphical issues and crashes but no Update of the game since months. So consider yourself lucky, if the game don't crash.

    At last it is to mention, that Cherry Poop Game is already working on a new game "Pool Nation FX) although the current game isn't finished as long as the promised DLC is still not available.

    My result: Pool Nation is becoming more and more a fraud every day, so don't buy it. Nice graphic alone isn't everything.    … Expand
  5. K1dX
    Jul 3, 2014
    9
    Very great game but there are minor set backs like aiming is laggy and shooting with a mouse is a bit buggy also the shot meeter and ball icon is a bit messed minus all this game is great I have over 40 hours in this, I would go next virtual pool, but you got to pay for the online play, and I don't like that so these pool game rocks for the price also you got to remember these guys areVery great game but there are minor set backs like aiming is laggy and shooting with a mouse is a bit buggy also the shot meeter and ball icon is a bit messed minus all this game is great I have over 40 hours in this, I would go next virtual pool, but you got to pay for the online play, and I don't like that so these pool game rocks for the price also you got to remember these guys are indie devs if they listen to feedback and bring out one big patch, I think this game will be pro. Besides all the bads the controls are easy and the games are easy to play some longer than others, but we all can manage the game perfect.… Expand
  6. Kristoff
    Jun 27, 2014
    10
    Best pool game on the market, first to surpass Cue Club in my book. Highly recommended, especially if you like billiards. The authors plan to release a free DLC in future with few new mini-games and such.
  7. z1y
    Jun 23, 2014
    10
    Very smooth animations, visually beautiful and so sexy soundtrack. 11/10
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    Get it now! :)
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  8. Crunchy
    Jun 19, 2014
    8
    Solid pool game. The visuals are nice and look very well done. The gameplay is intact and functional and pretty damn fun. Different skill modes for all types of players. I have not played Online so I cannot comment on that.

    Still waiting for Box of Tricks.
  9. Rapptture
    Jun 16, 2014
    8
    Pool Nation is a stand out hit for a Pool game. I challenge you to find any pool game out on PC or any platform for that matter that looks and plays as good as this. They drop the price often to encourage a strong multi-player base, devs appear to be very active in keeping it updated. Music is good, graphics look great and keeps me coming back for more. You won't find better, at leastPool Nation is a stand out hit for a Pool game. I challenge you to find any pool game out on PC or any platform for that matter that looks and plays as good as this. They drop the price often to encourage a strong multi-player base, devs appear to be very active in keeping it updated. Music is good, graphics look great and keeps me coming back for more. You won't find better, at least not as of June 2014.… Expand
  10. cftrooper
    May 28, 2014
    9
    Most realistic Pool game I've ever played! The graphics look like real life pretty much too. And there's still upcoming free content on the way so I'm looking forward to that.
  11. wowsers
    May 27, 2014
    0
    I don't know what the creator of this game have been living there lives but it's as if they were held captive somewhere and never even had the smallest idea about how a pool game should be. The online experience is absolutely astrocious and if you buy this game with the idea of having players to hone your skills against just forget about it.

    There is next to no one ever playing this    I don't know what the creator of this game have been living there lives but it's as if they were held captive somewhere and never even had the smallest idea about how a pool game should be. The online experience is absolutely astrocious and if you buy this game with the idea of having players to hone your skills against just forget about it.

    There is next to no one ever playing this game online and that alone is a deal breaker. Also certain rules in this game don't even exist. Never have I seen a situation where you pocket one of your ball first and then pocket the opponent ball gives you a foul. Where they living on Mars then decided to hop down on earth and just decide that they would make a pool game and at the same time take us all for a bunch of idiots?

    The only great thing is the graphics. And that is it! This games fail so bad it almost made me cry.    … Expand
  12. Jord68
    May 27, 2014
    10
    Awesome pool game, the physics and graphics are top notch.There's so many different game modes other than pool, the speed game mode against a friend is great fun. My friend and I love it, highly recommend this game.
  13. russ-angel
    Apr 7, 2014
    8
    Excellent and believable pool sim.The accuracy of the ball mechanics is a real make or break for this game,and it excels in all departments.Controls are fluid (I'm using a 360 controller)and easy to learn.A few different game modes(tournaments, 8 ball, 9 ball and free play) to keep everyone happy,and the addition of snooker and the box of tricks to be added soon.A low price what more canExcellent and believable pool sim.The accuracy of the ball mechanics is a real make or break for this game,and it excels in all departments.Controls are fluid (I'm using a 360 controller)and easy to learn.A few different game modes(tournaments, 8 ball, 9 ball and free play) to keep everyone happy,and the addition of snooker and the box of tricks to be added soon.A low price what more can you ask for?… Expand
  14. krazyorange
    Apr 3, 2014
    9
    The few lower scores are complaining about things which have long since been ironed out. Read the most recent ones, as this is a game being actively improved/developed. In any case, pool isn't a game about hardcore challenges but one about thoughtful tactics. If you play it like an arcade game, you probably won't like it (also, you're a moron). If you don't enjoy pool IRL, again you're notThe few lower scores are complaining about things which have long since been ironed out. Read the most recent ones, as this is a game being actively improved/developed. In any case, pool isn't a game about hardcore challenges but one about thoughtful tactics. If you play it like an arcade game, you probably won't like it (also, you're a moron). If you don't enjoy pool IRL, again you're not going to enjoy it (why the hell would you buy a pool game if you don't like pool? that would be like purchasing an evening with a pre-op transsexual hooker when you're straight). Here nor there.

    Pool Nation makes pool fun; it's got trophies, unlockables, Steam achievements (although not enough in my opinion), and the new Box of Tricks mode is a great way to add social interaction while altering the game's fundamentals. You can play for five minutes or five hours. I do suggest muting the music and blasting your own instead (obvious candidates being Neikka RPM, Collide, or the looped screams of a cat being burned), but otherwise the sound effects are.......well, it's pool. What did you expect, like lasers and jet engines? Please. Everything in Pool Nation is polished, and while there are a few bugs here and there, I can't stress enough that the developers are ACTIVELY developing. They are very approachable and polite, and take pointers seriously. They're active on the Steam forums or available for a chat about the game. They embody the indie spirit: focused on entertainment without the expense of quality, and they're fun. This isn't an EA DLC farm, this is a spirited group of talented artists.

    So again, if you don't enjoy pool or you're expecting like zombie strippers running around with bush trimmers and flamethrowers while killstreak and XP notices flash all over the place, buy something else. And while you're at it, you might consider developing taste or slamming your face into a belt sander. But if you're looking for a relaxing and challenging game of pool which is approachable for pretty much everyone, this is a game you can comfortably buy and play at your own speed.

    inb4 "this is ur 1nd revyew u mst b a bawt." No, but I did sign up specifically to put in a good word about this game. I bought it and it wasn't provided gratis (okay a high friend bought it for me, but that's irrelevant), nor am I being sponsored or paid. Unless you're taking into account the whiskey and heroin sitting over there, in which case, well...........oops.    … Expand
  15. MadJaples
    Mar 31, 2014
    5
    Late coming in on this one, but I thought I would give it a VERY long shot before I stuck my cue in - which sounds a little wrong, but with oar being the traditional word .....moving on.
    Pool Nation begins by being graphically impressive. It's light bloom effects and sparkly, shiny reflections from surfaces on objects inanimate or otherwise give it a highly aesthetically pleasing appeal.    Late coming in on this one, but I thought I would give it a VERY long shot before I stuck my cue in - which sounds a little wrong, but with oar being the traditional word .....moving on.
    Pool Nation begins by being graphically impressive. It's light bloom effects and sparkly, shiny reflections from surfaces on objects inanimate or otherwise give it a highly aesthetically pleasing appeal.
    That's about as good as it gets I'm afraid - but do stay with me for the duration.

    The gameplay is actually pretty good to begin with. Not being a pro player either on or off screen, the little useful touches here and there are really very handy for complete beginners to the nuance of angles and which ball is going to go where dependant on where you hit the cue ball and how, along with where the target ball is likely to go in terms of direction more than final destination. That stuff is always going to be useful.
    Then there's the unlocks. To begin with, the added extras that can be unlocked (not that they are extras mind you, just stuff you want to get unlocked because it should already BE unlocked - who wants to perform ridiculous feats for a new decal for heaven's sake?) - if they'd waited to bring out the box of tricks (?) element at the same time as the game, they could have used the parts for that to be much better candidates for unlocking - thereby making the gameplay in general a lot more rewarding.
    The music is pleasant enough *to begin with*. I liked this music because it gave the sense of being unhurried, chill out and shoot some pool at your own pace, all's good.

    Then by the time we get to having matches with the likes of Foo Foo - more of a name for a poodle than a person by all accounts - the music turns into something of a headache inducing clubfest for the drum and bass/dance party mad. That kind of knackered it for me to be honest.

    Never mind that though, what about the unlocks for the game?
    Well...that's easy enough too, to begin with. Again, all headaches seem to start off with Foo Foo on this one for me (oh, btw, that's in the 9 ball pool, not the 8 ball - YET).

    It starts off with simple games that aren't going to give you bouts of complete and utter frustration, like if you don't pot a ball (with all balls on the table to begin with), you lose a life. That's fair enough - because to begin with, there's plenty to choose from!

    Then there's potting three balls in as few shots as possible. Again, fair enough.

    Then there's endurance, which not only is a game played to unlock things in the tournament, but also as a playable game on it's own from the main menu. This is actually a good touch, as it allows for practice, and gives you the chance to improve on your shots and the time you take making those shots. Although that's not the pool I'm used to playing - I doubt 99% of the population are either.
    Anyway, that's fair enough too.

    THEN - and this is where the real uber-cow comes along - old poodleface with her "I can pot everything in one visit to the table" - there's this godawful "pot the ball in the designated pocket". It's not a pocket you can designate either. This is entirely out of traditional practice. Usually when a player plays pool, it's the player taking the shot that designates the pocket they're going to sink a ball in.

    On initial inspection - and because I lack a gamepad because xbox does not rule my gaming world and never will (I have enough problems with their OS not to bother with their gaming platform) - I thought I'd see if there were any keys set to be able to designate said pockets before I sink this ONE ball.
    And it's frustrating. Not least because there's NOT ONE single key to designate a pocket, but because when you DO pot the ball in a pocket, you'll find the game decides to tell you to sink the next ball (placed back on the spot from whence it initially began) which is a the most impossible or absurd angle to get the ball in from with the cue ball. That particular part of the game I most dislike - which is why I took a sizeable chunk off my initial score for this game.
    Couple that with the annoying view that blocks your ability to see from one end of the table to the other in 1st person format (as opposed to birds eye view - which is static so it seems) without the bloody lights getting in the way, and you have a game that is most likely going to give you more of a headache than a cure for stress.

    This one is primarily for pool lovers, the Americans should play 8 ball, the Brits should play 9 ball for a change if they don't already (generalizations I know - but as a Brit I prefer 9 ball because it's much quicker than 8 ball if you don't like having to mess about with spots and stripes).

    It falls short of perfect by a few glaringly awful design flaws, and some pretty dire music after the first round or two, but failing the middle of the road score I've given it I would still recommend getting it, even if it does give you the occasional hair-pulling bout of frustration.    … Expand
  16. WiseClock
    Mar 2, 2014
    9
    I have played some pool games on mobile devices and on pc as well. Of course their graphics are not as well done as Pool Nation is, but also Pool Nation has better AIs and it even has so great algorithms on calculating your skill shots and such and such... This is the best pool game I ever played.
  17. Patsche
    Jan 20, 2014
    10
    This game is just overall amazing. The Physics, graphics and controls are superior to anything i have seen in a pool game so far.

    It's what you want from a pool game and more.
  18. artemis2
    Jan 17, 2014
    10
    really awesome ! Graphism are very beautiful. Just had some problem, the game doesn't recognize my GTX660M and i have to play with HD4000 but it works fine. This game is in development yet and there are lots of updates !

    Multiplayer is very fun too! players are, usually, fair play and pleasant.
  19. nolddamien
    Jan 15, 2014
    10
    I assure you. If you love billiards you will loved this game. That’s all you need.
    Ignore all the haters review about this game. Buy this game and feel the experience for yourself like I did. This game really gives a really good pool experience no other games did. It feels like playing for real for me. All the sounds that the ball is making when they hit each other, and even when the ball    I assure you. If you love billiards you will loved this game. That’s all you need.
    Ignore all the haters review about this game. Buy this game and feel the experience for yourself like I did. This game really gives a really good pool experience no other games did. It feels like playing for real for me. All the sounds that the ball is making when they hit each other, and even when the ball hits the floor is so realistic. This game achieves a feeling that you are in a high class pool room.    … Expand
  20. Shyrtex
    Jan 14, 2014
    9
    Really impressed by how good the graphics look. The tutorial teaches you a lot of techniques which is good for people who've never played pool. Besides the normal 8 ball and 9 ball game modes, there are also many other game modes. It is possible to play Online and Local multiplayer.
  21. P_R_O_G_Z
    Jan 13, 2014
    10
    Amazing pool game, the physics are off the charts, not only can you shoot the balls, but you can also do focus shots, its a great pool game, cant really understand the lower review scores.
  22. ClarkX5652
    Jan 8, 2014
    10
    I can't see the hate for this game. The developers keep everyone in the loop and take all suggestions. They PERSONALLY address the issues. Not like any other dev's I have seen. The game is stunning and the physics are spot on. If you try the game you wouldn't hate it.l Nuff said.
  23. TheCornholio
    Jan 6, 2014
    10
    It's addictive, fun and above all really shiny.
    It runs really smooth as well and without a doubt very fun to play with someone else, I highly recommend it!!.
  24. HEVElite
    Dec 3, 2013
    9
    Amazing artwork, stunning graphics, fun to play. Honestly a next generation game that got published early. The only downside is that...the game feels empty. No humans or anybody in the background, just agiant wasteland of pool.
  25. MooX
    Dec 2, 2013
    9
    This game is so addictive, this is truly the best pool simulation you could ever find. The controls are really nice and allows to make some creative and crazy shots that have never been seen in a pool video game before. Also the challenges are there and you can spend hours in front of this magic game.
  26. stubar
    Dec 1, 2013
    10
    Really difficult to find areas of Pool Nation to fault. Looks great, the physics seem perfect. There are plenty of options of different Pool games alongside 8 and 9 ball. The developers are active and care about both the community and progression of the game. There is a great and fun community, some of which arrange tournaments to play within groups of Steam friends arranged via theReally difficult to find areas of Pool Nation to fault. Looks great, the physics seem perfect. There are plenty of options of different Pool games alongside 8 and 9 ball. The developers are active and care about both the community and progression of the game. There is a great and fun community, some of which arrange tournaments to play within groups of Steam friends arranged via the Steam forums.

    The game is underpriced in my opinion. The amount of game hours I have racked against the cost is silly! It is a game that rewards practise and best played with the aim-aid turned off!!    … Expand
  27. arleas
    Nov 30, 2013
    9
    I like billiard games, and I've spent a few hours in a pool hall in my time. This game does an excellent job of recreating the physics of pool. The only thing missing is the feel of the cue in your hands and being able to walk around the table and line up your shot by eye.

    It has 8 ball and 9 ball of course, as well as 3 ball, rotation, speed pool, straight pool, "golf", and killer    I like billiard games, and I've spent a few hours in a pool hall in my time. This game does an excellent job of recreating the physics of pool. The only thing missing is the feel of the cue in your hands and being able to walk around the table and line up your shot by eye.

    It has 8 ball and 9 ball of course, as well as 3 ball, rotation, speed pool, straight pool, "golf", and killer (where you take turns pocketing balls, and if you miss you lose one of your 3 lives). The balls are very shiny, the tables look very good, and there's a variety of locations to play in.

    My only complaint is that the AI doesn't have much personality and the locations you can play in all seem very sterile. Where's my bar? A smokey back-room at a casino or something? Still this is well worth the asking price and they're still improving it.    … Expand
  28. MingWah
    Oct 28, 2013
    9
    Brilliant pool game, beautiful graphics, plenty of different games to play, more modes being added by the devs, very active on the Steam forums which is always a plus. If you like pool you it's a must buy!
  29. coupe69
    Oct 28, 2013
    9
    Plays a great game of pool, physics seem spot on, and having the chance to play in amateur mode which shows you exactly how the balls are going to react is brilliant for a quick blast!

    Graphics are very pretty for an indie game, although you could say a little lifeless, what with the total absence of any crowd or even other people in the room, but who needs lifeforms watching on when    Plays a great game of pool, physics seem spot on, and having the chance to play in amateur mode which shows you exactly how the balls are going to react is brilliant for a quick blast!

    Graphics are very pretty for an indie game, although you could say a little lifeless, what with the total absence of any crowd or even other people in the room, but who needs lifeforms watching on when the gameplay's this epic!

    I've never been really got into pool/snooker games before this, but this has got me hook, line and sinker.

    If you've got even the slightest interest in pool or snooker I can wholeheartedly recommend this, you won't be disappointed!

    Once the developers have addressed the online issues and it will be a solid 10 out of 10 for me.    … Expand
  30. Recursion
    Oct 28, 2013
    8
    Really good fun. Realistic physics (this is the most important thing) that is easy to pick up and play but difficult to master if you want to learn all the advanced trick shots.

    There's a variety of game modes including but not limited to both eight and nine ball pool in both single and multiplayer (including online) ensuring plenty of replay value. Some effort has gone into the    Really good fun. Realistic physics (this is the most important thing) that is easy to pick up and play but difficult to master if you want to learn all the advanced trick shots.

    There's a variety of game modes including but not limited to both eight and nine ball pool in both single and multiplayer (including online) ensuring plenty of replay value.

    Some effort has gone into the visuals so it's as easy on the eye as it is to play. All in all it's a fun game with a high amount of polish that's easy to recommend.    … Expand
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Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Gaming Nexus
    Dec 20, 2013
    88
    Pool Nation is a beautiful game that plays great and has a long shelf life.
    Read full review