Inferno Pool

Much more fun than Bankshot Billiards

Posted 3 years ago By - Jay Acevedo

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. While it may not be the greatest pool game ever, the final product remains 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 opponents 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.

Dark Energy also added a secondary mode called “Endurance”, where pocketed balls from your opponents will be thrown on your table. Your goal will be to keep the number of balls under twenty-four or else it’s game over for you. Honestly, I have spent much more time playing Endurance than Inferno. It’s very fun.

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 nice. Definitely one of the cool-looking 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 decide to play the game all by yourself, you will find yourself logging an incredible amount of hours in the Endurance mode. Inferno Pool could easily become one of the most played XBLA games if the online community decides to back it up. At the time of writing this review, there was a small number of people playing it. Plus, unlike the back-then expensive, lifeless (and rather boring) Bankshot Billiards 2 from three years ago, Dark Energy is offering Inferno Pool for ten bucks, which isn’t too shabby. With Inferno Pool, you may get fewer modes but certainly 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 looking for an original and fun pool game to play, this game will do the trick until another pool game gets released...let’s just hope that we won’t wait three more years.