Pool Paradise (PlayStation 2)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Alex Navarro
• Reviewed on: 07/02/2004
• Released on: 07/13/2004
• Originally published on GameSpot: Pool Paradise (PlayStation 2) Review

When it comes to the realm of leisure sports and the games based upon them, the line between parody and straight simulation of said sports is often pushed so far in one direction or the other that it often seems as though there's really no room for compromise between the two. This is a convention that European pool enthusiast Archer Maclean is aiming to challenge with his latest offering, Pool Paradise. Pool Paradise is, without a doubt, the strangest game of pool to hit gaming systems in quite a long time. It features a roster of bizarre, parodic characters, a bizarre premise, and a whole host of quirky minigames and specialized pool tables. However, if you were to strip out the game's inherent capriciousness, underneath its eccentric nature you would still find an incredibly solid and inexplicably addictive game of pool, complete with all the standard variations on the game you'd expect in a modern billiards title.

Unlike most pool games, which are pretty straightforward, Pool Paradise features something of a premise, albeit a rather shoddily delivered one. You, the anonymous player, have washed up on the shores of a picturesque resort island, which for some reason happens to be almost entirely populated by the who's who of parodic pool sharks. To start the game, you find yourself borrowing $200 from the local loan shark (who happens to be, quite literally, a shark), and you set out on a personal quest to work your way up the ladder of Pool Paradise's resident elite. The roster of characters whom you will challenge in the game are as weird as weird gets, ranging from a rubber fetishist, decked out in Pulp Fiction-esque "gimp" gear, to an intimidating, glove-wearing fellow named OJ Stumpstem. Throw in a kung-fu guy, a few modern takes on some classic horror monsters, and a monkey in a wizard costume, and you've got an incredibly odd assortment of characters to play against.

As you play, you'll be presented with a list of challenges from each opposing character. Listed on each challenge is a type of game that the characters wish to play, the number of frames or set score to play to, and how much money they're willing to stake on the game. Opponents will challenge you to any of the different rule-type variations of pool contained within the game; there are several to choose from, including 6-ball, 15-ball, 9-ball, rotation, 14 to 1, killer, bowliards, and US and UK variations of 8-ball. In order to build up your reputation and climb Pool Paradise's ladder, you'll have to increase your bankroll. Doing so not only moves you up the ranks, but also gives you the opportunity to purchase any one of the game's hefty list of unlockables. Some of the things you can unlock in Pool Paradise include crazy tables, which let you play normal pool games on oddly shaped and themed tables, such as a hockey-rink-themed table and a table that's just a big T shape; subgames, such as a basic darts game and a billiards-themed game of skeeball; new baizes for your pool tables; new pool cues; and even a few gadgets to aid in your game. Between the crazy tables and subgames, there's plenty of fun stuff to unlock, and the additional perks give you even more incentive to earn as much cash as you can.

Granted, there wouldn't be much incentive at all to unlock all the game's extras if Pool Paradise's gameplay weren't well designed; thankfully, it is. The basic gameplay mechanics of Pool Paradise aren't too dissimilar to some of the better offerings already out there on the market. Multiple camera angles are at your disposal, though obviously the most useful one is the cue's-eye-view angle. When lining up a shot, you can select a specific ball and pocket, which will in turn bring up an icon over that pocket, displaying the ball you've just called. After that, simply line it up with the left analog stick, hold down the X button, and then use the stick in a back-and-forth manner to hit the shot. The analog control is actually fairly sensitive, so it does take a bit of experimenting to gauge the proper amount of movement for each shot. Additionally, you can add backspin using the controller's D pad, which gives you more control over how you want your shot to go. Overall, the controls are mixed just right so anyone can grasp them easily, and at the same time, pool enthusiasts can configure their shots as many different ways as they please.

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