It’s really hard to come up with different ideas to create a pool game. One cue, some balls and a table, that’s all you need, right? With Inferno Pool, Dark Energy managed to create not just another pool game but actually offer something more fun of what we were used to. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the game currently available on the Euro PSN Store. The US PSN Store and XBLA will get the game later this year. The final product is rather surprising.


Gameplay

The game offers the usual 8-Ball and 9-Ball pool modes, both playable either solo or against another player, but also offers a 4 player online/offline mode called “Inferno Pool”, which is where the game really shines.

The objective is simple: you must clear all balls off the table or have the least amount when the timer ends. You can set the timer to one minute up to ten. Every time you pot a ball, it will either be stored in your ball-zooka for later usage (you can store a certain number of balls and then send them to your opponent’s table) or you can immediately send it to an opposing player’s table by either using a random system or by choosing a designated table. Each time you knock a ball into the pot, you will get points, increasing your “inferno meter” in the process. Using skill shots such as Multiball, Combo and Jump Shots will also earn you additional points and increase your meter. When your meter is full, you will enter the “Inferno Mode”, where potting power is doubled, a random ball will be removed of your table and of course, give you possibility to send more balls to your opponents. Be careful if you foul or scratch because it could mean trouble for you. Obviously, the “Inferno” mode was built for more than one player, so Dark Energy added an “Endurance” mode where you battle AI opponents to pot against the clock.


Graphics & Sounds

There is not much too say in this department only that the game is surprisingly good looking. Honestly, I was expecting something generic like any other pool game but this one surprised me. The overall underground bar like presentation is stunning. Definitely one of the most beautiful pool games I’ve played on a console. The same can be said about the audio. There’s an announcer who doesn’t say much as he reminds me of the guy who says creepy one-liners in Bejeweled as he shouts words whenever you do something great during gameplay. Aside of that, the music fits the action but gets quite repetitive and the sound effects are everything you should expect from a pool game.

Value

Inferno Pool was especially built with the idea of playing with friends, either online and offline via split-screen, as frequently as possible since the game revolves around showing no mercy to your opponents. If you play the game all by yourself, you’ll get bored quickly playing the three modes available after a few minutes and won’t experience what the developers have tried to accomplish. At press time, very few people were actually playing the game online so it will hurt the game’s overall rating. However, we can expect more people around when the game gets released in North America later this year. By then, we think that Inferno Pool will reach its true potential.


Plus, unlike the back-then expensive, lifeless (and rather boring) Bankshot Billiards 2 on XBLA, Dark Energy is offering Inferno Pool for $10. With Inferno Pool, you get fewer modes but more fun!

Conclusion

While the game lacks a bit of variety in terms of game modes, Inferno Pool is definitely worth checking out not only because of its price tag but also because of its unique and unconventional presentation. If you are in Europe and looking for an original and fun pool game to play, this game will do the trick.

North American players will have a blast when this game releases “soon” on PSN and XBLA.