Pool 3D Training Edition

Pool is one of the most popular pub activities all over the world, although there are special places hosting pool tables only as well, if you don’t care for the bar atmosphere. It’s certainly no wonder that the game kept its charm all these years, given the fact that every match is different, and there are so many ways to win. However, practice is always a good idea, regardless of your skill level.

Pool 3D Training Edition is a simulator that allows you to experience the joy of pool without leaving the house or paying for a table, although you must obviously make due with some inconveniences as well. While the experience is pretty close to the real thing, the physics engine is obviously not entire accurate, and you might have to put up with some interesting flaws when it comes to the way balls move around the table.

Thankfully, these flaws come in small numbers, and it is possible to enjoy the game without paying too much attention to them, especially if you are not a stickler for details. In essence, the “training” part in the name means that you get to practice alone, without having to wait after an opponent. However, you can invite a friend to play with you, because it is possible to take turns at the table.

The game respects most of the classic pool rules you can think of, depending on which ones you regularly use. Hence, any kind of foul allows you to place the cue ball wherever you want on the table, which means that you have to pay attention to your actions. Pocketing the 8-ball before you take care of the rest of the balls is considered a game ending offense, so you’d better watch out for it.

As far as the actual interface and controls are concerned, you are pretty much free to move the camera as you wish, as well as zoom in and out of the action. It might be a bit uncomfortable at first, because the angles are a tad weird in most situations, but you can quickly get used to it. The graphics are decent, which means that both the table and the balls look convincing.

When it’s all said and done, Pool 3D Training Edition comes with enough flaws to prevent it from being the perfect simulator, but it is good enough to satisfy most players. Hence, if you enjoy pool and you want a nice way to simulate the experience, this may very well be what you were looking for.