I Need a Rest... (World Championship Snooker (PS))

Member Name: Adam X

Product:	World Championship Snooker (PS)
Date:	19/05/01 (181 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Aiming-Aid, Ball Physics, Real-game excitement

Disadvantages: Commentary

Indeed I do, for I have been playing this game for too long. It may seem like an older game now, but it's just been re-released on the Bestsellers label for £10. And I suggest you buy it. Here's why...

Have you ever tried playing snooker? And then have you watched the boys at the Crucible, and weapt at your poor snooker skills? Well wipe your eyes, because now you can play just as well as the Rocket or the Exocet.
And I disagree with the last review of this game, saying that snooker is dull to watch. Yes, it's slow, but it's interesting to see the tactics being used, and the skills on show. And with this game, you can emulate those skills.

Codemasters are reknowned for Gameply over Graphics, and they've done it again here. The revolutionary Aiming-Aid system is a blessing, giving you the chance to plot your shot, see where it'll end up, and what is on for the next shot. The ball physics are impeccable as you'd expect, and the arenas are good, if a little dated nowadays, but the Crucible looks good in it's shining glory, and there's even a referee to put the colours back on the table. The whole atmosphere is fantastic, and when you clean up and knock in the black at the end, it's a glorious feeling, just like winning the Championship - well, almost.

The players are there as you'd expect, but you can't play as them, for some reason, only against. This is a minor gripe, but a little annoying none-the-less.
When starting out, I wouldn't suggest playing the Pros - they'll wipe you out quicker than Bob Monkhouse. But the Amateurs are all good anyway, and you can even play Dennis Taylor.

And on the subject of Dennis Taylor, he provides the commentary for the game. Disappointingly, he only seems to speak when they're lots of balls left on the table, he vanishes when there're only a few left. He doesn't always spout pearls of wisdom, but it's not easy t
o write commentary for a snooker game, and it's not a vital part of it anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

As for modes, all the things you'd expect are there. Normal match, quick start, full championship - culminating in a final at Sheffield - tournament, practice, and the brilliant Masterclass mode.
This teaches you skills you'll need in the game, and it's approved by the WSA, so they're educational if you've got a table as well. As a bonus, you can also play some trick shots, and you could theoretically set some up yourself, using the Position Ball option in Practice Mode.

147 break? Maybe not, but high breaks are achievable - a great incentive to keep playing. This is not a game to sit down and thrash around for five minutes - a 3 frame match could be over an hour - but I think it's that that makes it so enjoyable. Like golfing games before, WCS lets you relax and enjoy the game.
So sit back, pick up your Highland Spring mineral water, chalk up your cue, and enjoy.

And you will.

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