Pool Nation FX

Pool Nation FX is hugely disappointing. While the trickshot creator is impressive, allowing you to use apparatus and make trickshots that defy the laws of gravity, the game fails to get the basics right and is absolutely littered with bugs. After the generally high-quality action of Pool Nation on Xbox 360, we expected an enjoyable game with addictive game modes and beautiful visuals. The visuals are generally up there - there really are some stellar scenes and outstanding lighting effects to gaze upon - but when you can't exert any real degree of reliable control in a pool game because the cloth randomly turns to sand between shots and the cue ball rolls differently to the other balls on the table, there's a problem. When games from 15 years ago managed to master the basics of the sport better than your brand new game, there's a problem. Not only that, but when a game is free and yet isn't even worth your time to play it, there's a problem.

68%Game Brain Score

graphics, gameplay

stability, optimization

68% User Score Based on 949 reviews

Critic Score 20%Based on 1 reviews

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About

"Pool Nation FX" is a realistic pool simulation game with stunning graphics and accurate physics. It features various modes such as online multiplayer, single player challenges, and a level editor to create and share custom tables. With its crisp visuals and intense gameplay, it's a must-play for pool enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.

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Play Modes

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 949 reviews

graphics91 positive mentions

stability9 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and realistic physics enhance the overall experience.
Offers a variety of game modes including 8-ball, 9-ball, and snooker, providing plenty of content.
The game is addictive and fun, especially when playing with friends.

Controls can be clunky and difficult to master, leading to frustration.
Requires purchasing DLC to unlock most game modes, making it feel less free-to-play.
Frequent crashes and bugs detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

graphics
148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
3%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning realism and attention to detail, with many users highlighting the lifelike textures, lighting, and fluid ball physics that enhance the overall experience. While the visuals are described as beautiful and immersive, some players have noted performance issues and sensitivity in graphics settings that can affect gameplay. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the pool genre.
- “The game’s graphics are nothing short of insane, with lifelike textures and lighting that bring the pool hall experience right to your screen.”
- “The graphics are stunning, and the mechanics are, for the most part, solid.”
- “Get ready for pixel-perfect physics, photo-realistic graphics, and super-detailed visuals in this immersive representation of the sport.”
- “Good luck playing this game while doing anything else on your computer, because the graphics settings are more sensitive than any game I've played.”
- “You can't change your graphics while in a game; I'm assuming it's because it'll affect your gameplay so drastically that this developer just decided to take it out entirely while playing.”
- “I have a PC that has the requirements above the minimum, but in the middle of a match, the game often loses FPS and makes the graphics look stuttering.”
gameplay
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
57%
9%
The gameplay of Pool Nation FX is characterized by a mix of solid mechanics and stunning visuals, offering a variety of modes such as classic 8-ball and trick shot challenges that keep the experience engaging. However, players have reported issues with bugs, crashes, and clunky controls that can disrupt the flow of play, leading to a somewhat frustrating experience. While many appreciate the depth and customization options available, some feel the gameplay lacks depth and can be superficial at times.
- “Whether I want to play classic 8-ball, 9-ball, snooker, or one of the many creative trick shot challenges, Pool Nation FX offers a wide range of options that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.”
- “The graphics are stunning, and the mechanics are, for the most part, solid.”
- “I loved Pool Nation's gameplay and controls, physics, and the possibility to perform awesome tricks.”
- “The game does have its share of bugs and glitches, which can sometimes affect the gameplay experience.”
- “Constantly crashes with fatal errors... can't even play with AI; the free-to-play mechanics are bad.”
- “How these guys managed to take a great couch co-op game found in the 'original' Pool Nation and butcher the gameplay experience this badly is shocking to me.”
music
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
73%
9%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the relaxing and addictive background tracks, while others criticize it as generic or irritating. Many users express a desire for custom music options, as the in-game soundtracks often feel repetitive or lackluster. Overall, while the music contributes to the ambiance, it seems to fall short for a significant portion of the player base.
- “The music, the venues, everything just adds to the overall experience.”
- “The thumping electronic music, flashy environments, and bright colors, that's what makes this game stand out.”
- “The real experience is buying the full game with everything unlocked, at which point you have a great sandbox of pool and snooker with loads of gorgeous locations to play, relaxing music, and satisfying physics.”
- “Fun, sound track / ambiance loop is terrible.”
- “Music sucks ass, so far this is my only complaint, but I'll add more cons as I play this more.”
- “Music is just terrible, from here my ears started to bleed.”
stability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
82%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting a variety of bugs and glitches that detract from the overall gameplay experience. While some players find it enjoyable despite these issues, many recommend against playing until the developers address the stability problems, as the game is often described as barely playable and poorly optimized.
- “Runs great on deck.”
- “Of course, Pool Nation FX isn't bug-free, but hey, it's stable enough for enjoyable gameplay.”
- “The game does have its share of bugs and glitches, which can sometimes affect the gameplay experience.”
- “So buggy and badly optimized it's barely playable.”
- “What a buggy piece of crap.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users experiencing significant performance issues such as lag and frame drops, regardless of their hardware settings. Conversely, others report smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems, suggesting that performance may vary widely based on individual setups. Overall, while the graphics are generally praised, many players feel that the game requires extensive tweaking to achieve satisfactory performance.
- “Performance-wise, I slid everything up to max and I still get a silky smooth experience on my toaster-like laptop (5200u + 840m).”
- “The graphics factor is nice; I especially like the performance side of it, but I must say that you probably need a graphics card even to run on the lowest graphics, considering the storage factor of the game (around 1.5GB).”
- “(If you can run Witcher 3 on medium, you will be able to see all the beauties of Pool Nation FX. People complaining about performance should go and update their PCs at last).”
- “Horrible performance--irrespective of settings (random lag bursts and inexplicable loss to shot power regardless of what the power graph displays).”
- “Performance is shocking, a light years behind the last game whilst looking worse.”
- “I have a PC that has the requirements above the minimum requirements, but in the middle of a match, the game often loses FPS and makes the graphics look stuttery; but overall this game is great for a free-to-play game.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is derived from its poor localization, graphical glitches, and a lighthearted, arcade-style approach to sports, which often leads to amusing moments. Players find the combination of funny physics and engaging visuals to create a uniquely entertaining experience, making it a source of laughter during gameplay. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its core mechanics, resulting in enjoyable and memorable moments.
- “The Italian localization is so awful that it's hilarious.”
- “Sometimes the ball slams into the pocket with an obvious graphical glitch, which is actually kind of humorous.”
- “Pnfx is not a simulation - it is a funny sports arcade game with poor physics but awesome graphics, shiny balls, and good-looking locations.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The atmosphere in the game is generally praised for its immersive qualities, with players appreciating the relaxing yet competitive environment created by the sound design and room decorations. However, some reviewers feel that while the basics are solid, the game could benefit from more dynamic elements to enhance the overall experience. Additionally, there are mentions of technical issues and a desire for deeper career elements to further enrich the atmosphere.
- “From the moment you sink your first shot, you're transported into a world where the clack of balls and the gentle hum of conversation create an atmosphere of relaxation and competition.”
- “My favorite thing about this game is the atmosphere; the rooms are decorated amazingly, and I've never said this before, but I'm very surprised this was free.”
- “Great physics and atmosphere.”
- “Pool Nation FX sticks to the down and dirty basics of pool, but it needs some dynamic atmosphere to really make it come alive.”
- “Definitely an improvement over the previous one with snooker actually getting a proper table and AI playstyle, but I experienced a few mid-game crashes. The atmosphere, career depth, and consequences still need fleshing out.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
40%
40%
The reviews highlight a nostalgic connection to pool games, with one user reminiscing about a memorable night playing pool, while another mentions the game's engaging features and a whimsical narrative that traces the love for pool back to the biblical garden. Overall, the story aspect is seen as a lighthearted backdrop that enhances the gaming experience.
- “For this price point (approx 8-9 USD in my region), you get a pretty pool game graphic-wise, both offline and online experience, daily quests, and the standard controller support, Steam cloud + achievements + cards.”
- “For this price point (approx 8-9 USD in my region), you get a pretty pool game graphic-wise, both offline and online experience, daily quest and the standard controller support, steam cloud + achievements + cards.”
- “The pool love story all began in the biblical garden.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, citing issues such as game crashes that result in lost progress after extensive grinding sessions. While some find the grinding for points to be balanced, others feel it is excessive, requiring significant time investment to unlock basic features or play with friends.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Game crashed after grinding 4 hours earning the hardest achievements... I load the game back up... all gone.”
- “Spending 4 days of grinding to unlock a single pool stick?”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The monetization aspect of the game has received criticism for its heavy reliance on microtransactions, which some players view as excessive and indicative of a cash grab. While there is a desire for more advertising to increase the player base, the current monetization model detracts from the overall experience, leading some to consider purchasing the full game to bypass these issues.
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers cosmetic items for purchase without affecting gameplay.”
- “The microtransactions are optional and don't hinder the overall experience.”
- “Microtransactions to do anything.”
- “The only minus I have are the atrocious microtransactions, so I will probably buy the full game to avoid this problem.”
- “This game came off as a cash grab.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
Overall, the game offers strong replayability, particularly when played with friends, although some players feel that the need to unlock components may detract from the experience for others.
- “Very fun with friends and extremely good replayability value.”
- “I don't personally especially care for having to unlock components before I can choose/use them; to be fair to the devs, it may offer some players incentives and increase replayability.”
- “I don't personally care for having to unlock components before I can choose or use them. While it may offer some players incentives, it ultimately decreases replayability for me.”
- “After completing the game once, I found little motivation to play through it again. The lack of meaningful choices and consequences made the experience feel repetitive.”
- “The game offers a linear experience with minimal variation in gameplay, which significantly reduces its replayability. Once you've seen everything, there's not much left to draw you back in.”