Inferno Pool (XBLA, Oct. 2009) Review

The old saying goes something like, “easy to pick-up, hard to master.”  This adage is proven fully in Inferno Pool, the fast-paced billiards game from Dark Energy Digital (www.darkenergydigital.com/inferno.php).  The game features a variety of customizable game modes which challenge the speed at which the player can pocket balls.  Speed isn’t the only factor though, since the game also tracks trick points for bank shots, jump shots, and other difficult moves.

When Inferno Pool first boots up, the player is greeted by techno music which suits the game’s hyped-up pace.  The music, however, proves to be the most repetitive and unavoidable aspect of the title.  No matter which game mode you play, the music will follow and repeat.  Single-player game modes include an Endurance mode, which has the player try to pocket as many balls as possible while new balls fall on the table every few seconds.  The objective is to last as long as possible before reaching 24 balls on the table.  Also featured are games against a computer opponent(s) of interchangeable difficulty.

Playing against the computer on the default “3″ setting offers a difficult experience; until you get the hang of a few trick shots and the “Ball-zooka,” (which shoots your pocketed balls onto the opponent’s table) the game is best tried on Endurance mode or the lower difficulties.  In every game mode where two players (or computer opponents) are present, the game’s objective is to drain as many balls as possible, as fast as possible, while moving them to the opponent’s table in the process.  The game’s signature Inferno Mode ignites after the player drains a streak of balls and fills a meter with trick points.  While in Inferno Mode, every ball the player sinks also takes a random ball off the table, essentially giving 2 for 1.

The game’s control layout is simple and straightforward enough for any gamer to pick up and understand.  The biggest problem with controls came in the discrepancy between the normal and “fine-tune” (hold down the left trigger) controls.  It’s frustrating to be moving quickly on a 10-ball streak only to be slowed down overwhelmingly as you try to fine-tune a shot.

Graphically, the game is impressive in HD.  The tables offer an aesthetic that one might find at an underground pool establishment, with fitting stains and table damage.  The felt (baize) color is also changeable, but is limited by only a few shades.  The same limits apply to a few different sets and colors of balls.

In terms of achievements, Inferno Pool offers the usual mix of single-player and online entries.  The single-player variety can be achieved in either Endurance or multi-player modes.  Achievements range from gaining a certain number of wins in ranked matches to achieving a certain number of points on a bank, jump, or kick shot.

All aspects considered, Inferno Pool neither succeeds or fails convincingly.  The gameplay is downright enjoyable, and offers something for everyone, provided the control scheme can be handled with some skill.  It’ll take a few games to understand the pace and style that the game throws at the player, but it provides a learning curve that proves curiously addictive.  If you have any fun playing pool and have any interest in playing an ultra-fast, arcade version of it, then Inferno Pool is for you.

Recap

Gameplay:  Straightforward and very fast.  Nothing overly original or intuitive.  Easy to pick-up game modes and a simple control scheme provide fun for anyone picking up the controller.

Graphics:  Perhaps the game’s finest subtlety.  Simple, but convincing detail is  given to the tables and felt, which feature stains, rips, and tears.  The steel background and promotional “Inferno Pool” graphics do provide for a tacky background, though.

Replay-ability:  Inferno Pool features a simple control scheme that is difficult to truly master.  Because of this, it provides a lot of opportunity to fine-tune one’s game.  Between the online play, the Endurance mode (my personal best was 4 min 45 sec), and the computer battles, the game allows the player to practice endlessly in ever-changing scenarios.

Fun Factor: When it comes down to it, Inferno Pool is fun.  It’s a particular gamer’s genre of game.  If you don’t like billiards, you probably won’t consider buying this title.  But the truth is, while it’s probably not worth 800 Microsoft Points, it’s at least worth trying the demo to see if it’s for you.  I personally enjoyed it, and found it both challenging and fun.

Sound:  The game’s Achilles Heel, by far.  The music is repetitive at best and annoying at worst.  The entire system could be remedied with a soundtrack linkable to the new Last.fm feature with Xbox, or the user’s personal music library.

In some ways, this could really vary between a three and four star rating, but it depends so much on preference that I’m choosing the three.  There are positives to Inferno Pool that make it seriously recommendable, while the limited customization and soundtrack seriously drag the potential down.  This game is best recommended to players looking for a pool game that is  fun for a group and challenging for the individual.

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