Review: Pool Pro Online 3
by Staff Writer
March 24, 2010
Overview
The iPhone has tons of types of games, but a really good pool game is definitely lacking. Namco is attempting to change that by bringing Pool Pro Online 3 which just came out for the iPhone, and in the coming months will be released on the iPad, PC, Android, and others. This is a full scale pool game that can be played on a PC, just on the iPhone. The game is all about online connectivity, and uses Namco’s newest creation Unite SDK to connect people across platforms. We gave you a sneak peek from GDC, and it’s now time to find out if this pool game is up to scratch.
Features
Three pool games types are included with 8-ball, 9-ball, and Snooker. You can play any of these three via single player with four difficulties, or multiplayer. The multiplayer is composed of online connectivity, local online over wifi or bluetooth or even pass n play. In an online game you can chat with your opponent with a built in translator supporting all languages the iPhone does. Every game you play earns you scratch for achieving different feats, and winning online games where you make wagers. With that scratch you can go to the pro shop to buy new looking felt, cues, and pool rooms. Unite provides online high scores for win/loss record as well as 25 achievements.
The Good
This is a deluxe desktop caliber pool game made with the iPhone in mind, and what’s not to like about that. Full 3D pool at your finger tips that feels like the best digital representation, and the closest thing to playing the real deal. The three different pool types are definitely fun with your traditional 8-ball to the quicker 9-ball, and the more complex snooker. Each one provides a different gameplay experience that you can play against the computer or online.
The controls are really well done with simple dragging to move your cue position, and then there is a fine tuning scroll wheel to make your shot precise. There is a power meter you just pull back on, and you can always add English. Another addition are two customizable options to have arrow guidance showing approximately where the ball will go, and ball pop up when aiming for that particular ball so you know it’s the red three for example because sometimes it is hard to tell.
While making your shot there are two different camera angles which are necessary to truly be confident your shot will go in. When you hit a ball, and it’s approaching a pocket the game switches to a zoomed in pocket camera which is simply gorgeous, then when you opponent is playing there are three different camera angles to choose from.
Namco’s newest creation Unite is on center stage in this game, and it delivers. It’s a very elegant interface that fits in perfectly with the game. The online high scores and achievements are always nice to add the replay factor too. The connection isn’t perfect yet, and load times aren’t the greatest in multiplayer, but no system has been able to figure that out. It’s a wait and see how it will be when the game is released on other platforms.
Once you do get online it’s a nice multiplayer experience to play against regular people, and not the computer opponent. When in a match you can chat anytime with anyone across the globe. Another essential addition is that the game does pick up forfeiting, and scratch is lost.
The wagering system is well done, and earning scratch to unlock new items is another great feature. You’ll want to keep playing to earn scratch, and be able to customize your pool room, felt, and cues.
Pool Pro is one of the best looking games on the iPhone beginning with the elegantly designed pool room, and table. Then there are all of the nice features that look great including ball indicator pop-up, and zoomed in pocket camera. There is so much detail packed into every aspect of the pool room so that you can tell Namco didn’t scrimp anything for the iPhone version.
The production values truly transport you into the pool room atmosphere. The included soundtracks set the mood perfectly, and then there are all of the sound effects sounding as though they’re recorded straight off a billiard table.
The Bad
The main concern right now is that the online play is limited simply because there aren’t that many players. The game is only available for the iPhone/iPod Touch with other platforms getting the game later, so currently the user base is very limited. Going online the rooms are vary sparse, and occasionally empty. Even when there are people available, it takes awhile to connect, and more often than not you’re trying to connect with someone who isn’t available. Once you finally do connect it takes quite a bit for the game to finally initialize. One thing to note is that as the game is rolled out there were will be a wider user base, but as of now that’s not the case.
When playing online, it seems to take forever to wait for opponents to make their shot, and you and your opponent will be bored by this, and that will consequently take more time on the next shot. Namco has done the best they could with the 3.5” screen though on top down table view it’s tough to make out stripes and solids, though the ball indicator makes up for that.
