LADYDRAGON.COM - ULTIMATE 8 BALL

Looking for a good pool game? Then Ultimate 8 Ball is for you. Developed by Mirage Technologies Ltd. and published by THQ, this game almost brings the reality of playing pool right on your PC.

If you are not familiar with pool it has a tutorial at the begining so you can learn different shots. They also teach you how to do expert shoots like hitting 3 balls at the sametime. Afterwards you can practice the shot you want to learn with any number of balls.

You can play 14 different games: eight ball (us and uk's rules), nine ball, ten ball, six ball, three ball, straight pool, rotation, speed pool, killer, ten pin, bank pool, one pocket, or cut throat.

In your main menu you have 4 selections to choose from: quick start, match, hustler, or tournement. Quick start let's you play the regular 8 ball game right away. With Hustle you have 3 levels of difficulty, and you will be matched against players depending on the level you have chosen, then 11 separate games to select from.

The Tournement is for 4, 8, or 16 players and you can choose from 11 games. In the Match selection you can play up to 16 players, all the games and in four different places: Z Generation, Neon City, The Pit, and Candy's Bar. You also have the capability to play with a real person over the net, up to 2 to 16 players. You can also challenge the champion and try to defeat him to be the new king of the pool.

8 Ball will challenge you with players that could beat even the most experienced player or you can play a novice player if you feel like it.

"Different table colors"

"Ready, Set, Shoot"

There are many pool tables to see and a large variety of backgrounds with incredible detail.

The graphic's detail are well done but sometimes the textures are not very detailed and you find yourself trying to guess what it could be. Also the lack of voice interactivity with other players is a lack that some players do not like, all the training is with text, no voice.

The training option is really a plus for this game for players that are not used to play pool. It teaches you everything you will need to beat the best of the best. Controls are very easy to
use and you control your player movement without
difficulties. The views are quite good and help you to make a good shot and win. The quasi-reality this game gives you makes you feel you are almost playing pool for real, you might even wonder if it trains you for real.

Each pool player will find many hours of fun without being bored with this game, it is almost like you are there. From the beginner that wants to explore the pool world by learning hot shots, to the expert that wants to pit their skill against the best players, you can play to the limit and try to win and be the champion.

Companies

Developer
Mirage Technologies

Publisher
THQ
www.thq.com

Category
Pool simulation

NOTES

Interest : 88 %
Control: 89 %
Graphics : 87 %
Sounds/Musics : 82 %
Originality : 89 %

TOTAL : 87 %

Requirements:

Console
Playstation

Number of Players
1 to 16 Players

Analog Control
Compatible

Vibration Function
Compatible

Accessories
Compatible with the Playstation mouse

ESRB Rating
Everyone

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