Real Pool

Overall: A
Violence: A
Sexual Content: A
Language: A
Drugs/Alcohol: A

Platform reviewed: Sony PlayStation 2
Publisher: Infogrames
ESRB rating: E

"The minute your son leaves the house / Does he rebuckle his knickerbocker's below the knee? / ...Are certain words creeping into his conversation? / Words like--swell / And--so's your old man? / Well if so my friends / Ya got trouble / Right here in River City / With a capital T / And that rhymes with P / And that stands for pool." (Prof. Harold Hill, from the 1962 Warner Bros. production of The Music Man).

To some, the mere mention of the sport conjures up images of hustlers and shady activities in smoke-filled halls. To others, it is seen as an enjoyable recreational pastime. Should you be numbered amongst the latter demographic and find yourself envying those who have room in their home for a billiards table, don't despair. Infogrames has a solution. It's called Real Pool--and all you need is enough real estate for a PlayStation 2 console.

Prior to racking up the balls and applying chalk to their two-piece custom-made pool cue, potential masters are presented with a choice of game modes: Carom offers two-player action that involves hitting specific combinations of balls and cushions on five different tables with no pockets; Puzzle requires the sinking of all solid-colored balls in a predetermined number of shots (or less) on 25 uniquely shaped playing surfaces; Tournament will have you competing in various types of matches against eight computer-controlled opponents that become harder to beat the further you advance; and Pocket allows for some friendly head-to-head competition on a standard table in games of 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Bowliards, Rotation, 14.1 Continuous, Basic, One Pocket, 5-9, and Practice (you'd be well advised to spend a little time here).

If you're a novice and find yourself lacking when it comes to playing or understanding the real life version of the sport, don't be intimidated. Rules and terms are clearly explained and the computer automatically handles all scorekeeping duties. Not only does this bring a sense of parity to the two-player games, it also helps avoid those inevitable "discussions" whenever rule interpretations differ. All that's required in order to progress in Real Pool is an understanding of (or a willingness to learn) a few basic fundamentals of physics, the use of which is realistically replicated and probably the most impressive aspect of this videogame. Before long, both newbies and pros of all ages will be banking shots off cushions and applying just the right amount of topspin, backspin, or sidespin to the cue ball. You might even perfect the techniques required to pull off a jump shot or massé (striking the cue ball in such a manner as to direct it over or around a ball blocking the intended target). Sooner or later, you'll reach a plateau that no longer presents a challenge. When that happens, you can either seek a more worthy human adversary, or, if you're playing against an artificial opponent, you can increase the level of CPU skill (overall abilities), intelligence (aptitude for picking the best shot), challenge (aggression and inclination to take chances), concentration (tendency to buckle under pressure situations), and luck (when it's on my side it's called natural born talent).

Unless you count the annoying jukebox muzak (which, thankfully, can be toggled off), this virtual pastime contains absolutely no content concerns and is capable of delivering many hours of wholesome family entertainment. That's right folks, entertainment... with a capital E, and that rhymes with P, and that stands for pool. Real Pool.

Jim Fleming

©2001 One Voice Communications. All Rights Reserved