Cool Pool

I’ve always had a place in my gaming library for arcade titles, puzzlers, bowling and pinball games, and so on – “small” games that are nothing fancy but deliver solid and engrossing gameplay. So with that in mind, I took a flyer and downloaded Hustle Kings, the latest pool offering for the PS3. There wasn’t much to be found online about HK, but what was there sounded good. I couldn’t be more pleased that I took the plunge.

The first thing that grabs you about Hustle Kings is that it is surprisingly deep in terms of gameplay options. For starters, there are several variations of pool on tap including 8 Ball, 9 Ball, Cutthroat and Black Ball (but, sadly, no Snooker). The basics are supplemented by “bonus games” like Clear the Table, Beat the Clock, and a variety of Trick Shots. The meat of the game, which can be played on or offline, lies in the Career and Tournament modes (though there are others). “Career” mode in the context of HK is a bit of a misnomer though and would more appropriately be labeled “Challenge”. Starting at Rookie level and progressing through the ranks, you’re presented with a series of about 10 events. Completing an event (e.g. winning a game of 8 Ball) unlocks other events in the same or higher class, along with other perks. The disappointing aspect of Career mode is that there are no player rankings, and no progression aside from moving up from one level to the next. Tournament mode is just as the name implies – choose your game in a single knockout event against up to 15 opponents. Again, it’s too bad that the tournaments weren’t linked to some form of true career progression. In all modes, money is earned for completing shots and events, and winning tournaments. Your winnings can be used to buy goodies, or wagered in certain events and against online opponents.

While Hustle Kings provides lots to keep you busy, it wouldn’t matter a lick if the gameplay weren’t up to snuff. Luckily, this is where HK really shines. The game features a very good training mode that will have you up and running in no time, but improvement requires a little time and effort. And this is a good thing, IMO, as there’s no breezing through difficulty levels, even Rookie. I’ll never be mistaken for a pool shark but I did spend many an hour shooting stick during my misspent youth, and HK is about as accurate a simulation as you’re ever likely to find. The control mechanics are intuitive but also deep enough to reward players that have a good understanding of the game of pool. Ball physics are dead on and everything can be adjusted. Aim, cue angle, ball spin, and shot power all make a difference, and each variable has to be taken into consideration for consistent shot making. Even drawing back and following through with the cue needs to be smooth or you’ll hear that annoying clack that signals an imprecise shot, just like the real deal. It’s important to keep your cue well chalked too, which is accomplished by shaking the controller. The only niggle I have gameplay-wise is that the fine tune control used to help line up shots should be far less sensitive. Oh yeah, and WTF is up with having to purchase special attribute chalk from the Playstation Store??? That’s the kind of thing you should be able to buy with in game currency.

Graphically, HK is a treat. The environments are extremely nice, but it’s the balls and tables that are the real stars of the show. Rendered in high definition with superb lighting effects, the oft overused ‘photo-realistic’ truly applies here. But beyond anything else, Hustle Kings is stupidly addictive. It has that “just one more” quality in spades, as evidenced by the fact that it has kept me away from Borderlands and my unopened copy of Mass Effect 2 since I downloaded it 48 hours ago. The entertainment value that HK brings to the table far exceeds its modest $9.99 price tag, making it a must purchase for anyone with even a passing fancy for pool. Rack ‘em and pass the chalk!