Boredom Be Gone: Virtual Masterpiece (Virtual Pool 3 (PC))

Member Name: t0m101

Product:	Virtual Pool 3 (PC)
Date:	08/07/05 (246 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great graphics, easy and fun to play, heaps of different games

Disadvantages: Can be quite addictive

This is one of my favourite games for the PC. Whether you've got 5 minutes or 5 hours to spare this game is perfect. I'll tell a little about what makes this game so good.


--> Graphics

With a reasonable computer you will be able to run this game with full quality graphics. The tables and balls alike have outstanding reality and move in real time with real life physics. There are 8 different locations with 3D environment backgrounds, 4 of which must be unlocked in the Career Mode before they can be played in Quick Play mode. To enhance the reality of the play stunning sound effects can be heard in the background. I know on a number of occasions I've heard the telephone sound effect and gone to pick up my phone from across the room. There are a number of movies you can view which really show off the quality of the graphics.

Minimum system requirements are:
IBM or 100% compatible Pentium 233Mhz or better, Windows 95/98/2000 with DirectX 7, 32MB RAM, 200MB of free hard drive space, 4X CD-ROM drive or better, DirectX certified video and sound card.


--> Game Modes

There are a number of different game modes. Quick Play allows to to jump straight into the game of your choice, either against a human or computer opponent. Career Mode is where Virtual Pool 3 really excels. You start at the bottom of the ladder in the first of 8 locations. You hustle your way to new locations by beating the boss of each table. Finally you reach the beach house location and get the chance to play Jeanette Lee to win the game (if you have enough money to match her bet). Throughout the career you can buy new cues, check your stats or put the career on hold for another day. There are 16 in total pool type games available (although not all are available in the career mode). Each game type has the option of three difficulty settings. Thats a lot of different careers you can take on. One of my favourite game types available is snooker - it takes ages to complete a career and you can have some amazing matches. The third game mode is a tournament. You can decide what type of game you want, how many players etc to create your perfect tournament. Finally the last game mode is the option to play online against real competitors. If you think you are too good for the computer players then this is the place to see if you can hold your own with the best players around the world.


--> Learn to play/Trickshot

Included in the game is a series of tutorial and trickshot movies with Jeanette Lee teaching you various different pool moves. This is really useful if you are new to pool and want to learn how the computer plays some of the fancy shots. There is also a mode which sets up trickshots for you and allows you to practice at getting them right.

Here are some hints on playing (included in the help files):
-Use the Amplify feature when breaking (taking the first shot of the game).

-Practice with Tracking on until you feel comfortable lining up shots yourself. Experiment with Tracking.

-Line up difficult shots without Tracking, then turn Tracking on to see how close you came. Remember, anything you learn here can be applied to a real pool table.

-Use the Replay feature to see how you can correct missed shots.

-The force with which you strike the cue ball has an effect on the path the cue ball will take, especially when you add some draw, follow, or English. Use Tracking to experiment with varying force and different cue tip positions.

-Be conservative with cue tip placements and shot power. Remember, the player who best controls the cue ball is the superior player.

-Practice masse' shots and jump shots before attempting them in games. They are very difficult and practice gives you a feel for the shot.

-Practice banks using varying speed to get a feel for the rail and ball curvature effects on banks.


--> Playing the game

Playing the game is really easy. I use the standard configuration which involves using the mouse and the keyboard. The mouse gives you the movement, whilst the keyboard selects which type of movement you want. About the only keyboard buttons I use are 'S' for letting you move the cue back and forward, 'E' to put spin on the ball, 'M' to move the cueball, and 'Z' to make the game run fast when its the computers turn. You just hold the respective button down for what action you want. There are much more things detailed in the manual, but from my point of view thats all you really need. The moves available are very extensive. You can raise the butt of the cue to do jump shots, change the view, and still more. There is the option to turn on tracking guides which show you where the balls are going to go before you hit them. When getting to grips with the game, or for younger kids this is a great feature.


--> Conclusion

This is not just any old pool game. The stunning 3D graphics and real life game play make this an all round exceptional computer game. It even improves your real pool/snooker skills. If I've played this game and then play on a real table I get the angles right without even thinking. The depth of game types and modes available means that you wont be bored after a few plays, and you will always be able to find more difficult settings to keep you eager to improve. I've had this game for over a year and play it all the time and the difficult setting is still pretty difficult. If you are looking for a pool game with a difference, this is the game for you!

Summary: Great fun to play, loads of different games, lasts for ages.