The Rack

About

The Rack is a single player and multiplayer sport game. It was developed by Pixel Works Ltd. and was released on August 2, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

"The Rack: Black Hole Pool" is a VR billiards game set in a futuristic, pixelated environment. Experience realistic physics and a variety of game modes, including black hole mode where shots wrap around the table. Challenge friends or global leaderboards in this immersive and social take on classic pool.

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80%

Audience ScoreBased on 82 reviews

gameplay3 positive mentions

monetization1 negative mentions

The game features realistic physics that closely mimic real-life pool, making it enjoyable for both casual and serious players.
The multiplayer aspect is engaging, allowing players to connect and play with others from around the world, enhancing the social experience.
The integration of YouTube for media playback while playing adds an immersive element to the game.

Controls are often described as clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration during gameplay.
The game has been criticized for its monetization model, with elements of pay-to-win and in-game purchases that can detract from the overall experience.
Frequent bugs and issues following updates have led to instability, causing players to experience crashes and other technical problems.

story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
42%
29%
The reviews highlight that while the game excels as a social experience, particularly in its multiplayer aspects, the story or narrative elements are not a focal point. Players appreciate the customizable avatars and the game's evolution through updates, but there is a desire for a more polished PC version that enhances graphics and performance. Overall, the emphasis is on gameplay and social interaction rather than a traditional story.
- “I'm playing the rack mainly on my Meta Quest 2 due to the customizable avatars, and the game is getting better with every update.”
- “I cannot launch it anymore on PC but I'm playing the Quest version instead and the physics, graphics, lobby, and everything is spot on.”
- “Its an ok pool game otherwise, very laggy tho on any pc specs or standalone quest!”
- “I cannot launch it anymore on pc but I'm playing the quest version instead and the physics, graphics, lobby and everything is spot on.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with users noting that it looks good and features beautiful visuals, particularly in the Quest version. However, some players feel that the PC version does not significantly improve upon the Quest version, suggesting it may be a port rather than a fully optimized release. There are calls for more graphical settings to enhance the experience further.
- “Best pool game I've ever played, physics are great, graphics are beautiful.”
- “With these physics and graphics, it would be awesome.”
- “I cannot launch it anymore on PC but I'm playing the Quest version instead and the physics, graphics, lobby, and everything is spot on.”
- “Got the Quest version and it's really good, so I got the PC version thinking it would be better, but you can't really tell any difference. I assume this is not really a PC version and more of a Quest version ported over to PC. I would like to see a polished PC version that will test my graphics card. If you want to know what I mean, then just play a game like PokerStars on Quest and then try the PC version; it is night and day. The game is good looking, but the balls can be a little fast at times and seem to keep rolling what feels like forever.”
- “It needs settings though (for things such as graphics).”
- “Graphics-wise, it's okay.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The gameplay is generally solid, featuring good mechanics and impressive physics, though some users find the controls, particularly for the index, to be clunky. Overall, the gameplay experience is enjoyable, with standout features like the spin mechanic enhancing the overall feel.
- “I find the mechanics really good too, especially spin.”
- “It's a shame, because the actual gameplay feels good.”
- “Really good physics, gameplay, and features.”
- “Gameplay wise, the controls to begin with feel clunky for the index.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
Users appreciate the music feature for its ability to create personal playlists by loading their own videos and music files, enhancing the overall experience. However, some have encountered minor audio playback issues, which can be resolved by adjusting volume settings and video quality. Additionally, the inclusion of a linked lobby YouTube allows for shared music enjoyment among players.
- “The second would be the ability to load my own videos and music files to create a personal playlist I can watch or listen to without the need to depend on YouTube for media playback.”
- “There's also a linked lobby YouTube so you can share music that others may enjoy.”
- “I did have some minor audio playback issues, but it resolved by raising the volume a bit more and setting video playback to under 480p while listening to music.”
- “The second would be the ability to load my own videos and/or music files to create a personal playlist I can watch or listen to without the need to depend on YouTube for media playback.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users appreciate the YouTube integration but express frustration over the high number of ads, suggesting that an option to watch local videos would enhance the experience.
- “The YouTube integration is great, but the number of ads is a significant downside. It would be nice to have an option to watch local videos as well.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game has been reported to have significant stability issues, with users encountering multiple bugs shortly after starting gameplay.
- “The game is buggy; I just played for a couple of minutes and I already encountered several bugs.”
- “The stability issues are frustrating; I keep experiencing crashes every time I try to load my save.”
- “I can't believe how often the game freezes; it's almost unplayable at this point.”