Pure Pool

 PC
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Games Master UK
    Sep 19, 2014
    71
    The lack of a quick restart offline is bizarre. [Nov 2014, p.79]
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  2. Hooked Gamers
    Aug 11, 2014
    65
    As a quick time killer, or as a gentle distraction while you’re doing something else, it’s about as good as you can get for a pool game. Lack of variety and a few annoying technical things prevent it from being great though.
  3. Critical Hit
    Sep 3, 2014
    60
    While Pure Pool is a great pool simulator, the problems I had left me feeling snookered. If those issues could be ironed out, and multiplayer fixed with a proper matchmaking tool, it would honestly be a solid title to spend some time with. For now though, I’ve just resorted to keeping it in windowed mode, taking my shots now and then between the other games I play.
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  5. IncGamers
    Aug 4, 2014
    50
    A decent pool model that tends towards natural-style simulation, let down by several minor annoyances and one crippling problem. It’s a multiplayer-leaning title, and Pure Pool’s PC server troubles mean any online play is currently a non-starter.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. MadJaples
    Oct 4, 2014
    6
    Pure Pool is a game that attempts to be as pure pool as it can get. It does seem like a fairly decent attempt at it too.
    The graphics are    Pure Pool is a game that attempts to be as pure pool as it can get. It does seem like a fairly decent attempt at it too.
    The graphics are much more conservative than the very much pizazz, bloom and dazzle of Pool Nation - with a much more 'homely' feel to the environment rather than an eye-blinding clubbing look, something that Pool Nation offered plenty of.
    Then that, sadly, is where it tends to fall flat on it's arse.
    For one thing, if you aren't connected to the internet at all times, you are constantly reminded that the connection is not available, between poorly displayed hints and an indication of the music now playing across the top of the screen. That in itself is just a bit much in the off-putting department, but with practice you can kind of ignore it. It does take a lot of practice though.
    The controls are not as quick and rough and ready as they are with Pool Nation, which is the only game of similar ilk that I have to compare to in my library. It's a serious approach to the realism of actually being at the table that I think they're trying to address with it's control set, but it doesn't really work well with this kind of game.
    The problem really is that if you are going to port a game, it should be ported not just properly, but also appropriately. Controls are obviously not the same for a PC as they are for a PS console. Not every PC player has a controller similar to a PS controller to be tinkering with, so whilst attempting to address that very thing, they've neglected some of the finer points of controls, such as movement speed and aiming controls being smooth as well as reactive enough to warrant not being frustrated at how damn slow aiming can actually be.

    TL;DR/
    If this game were to be stood next to Pool Nation and both games were to be human beings, Pool Nation's personality would be outgoing and bubbly, whereas Pure Pool would be serious and reserved. It is reserved, sadly in the wrong places too. Skimping on the right amount of options and also a dreadfully slow loading time on a high end system make this a bit of a flop. Graphically it is just right, but the game play let's it down badly, and the technical issues just complete the wrecking deal.    … Full Review »
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