Pool Panic

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 157 reviews
  • gameplay
  • stability
  • humor
Pool Panic Game Cover
A commitment to billiards insanity drives forward this wild ride of a video game.
Starting at $1.16Buy now
Get on Steam

Pool Panic is a whimsical and humorous pool simulator where you play as a mischievous cue ball in a giant, sprawling game of pool. Explore over 100 levels across various vibrant environments, from jungles to carnivals, while completing quirky challenges and knocking around a cast of eccentric ball characters. The game is best enjoyed with a controller.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 157 reviews
humor25 positive mentions
stability28 negative mentions
  • Pool Panic features a unique and quirky art style, filled with humor and creativity that sets it apart from traditional pool games.
  • The game offers a plethora of levels and diverse mechanics, providing a fun and engaging experience that encourages exploration and experimentation.
  • It has a light-hearted, casual approach that makes it enjoyable for short bursts of play, appealing to those looking for a fun, non-serious gaming experience.
  • The controls are often described as clunky and imprecise, making it difficult to aim accurately and frustrating the overall gameplay experience.
  • Many players feel that the game runs out of novelty quickly, with repetitive elements and a lack of depth in some puzzles.
  • The user interface and options menu are criticized for being poorly designed, lacking essential features like button remapping and sound adjustments.
  • gameplay31 mentions

    The gameplay of Pool Panic is a mixed bag, showcasing original and creative mechanics that blend elements of pool and mini-golf, yet it suffers from twitchy controls and clunky execution that can lead to frustration. While many players appreciate the game's unique charm and imaginative level design, the imprecise mechanics and time-consuming puzzles detract from the overall enjoyment, leaving some feeling that the gameplay is not fun or rewarding. Ultimately, the game is praised for its personality and creativity, but it struggles to deliver a consistently enjoyable experience.

    • “This game is stupidly brilliant and very creative. The level ideas are beyond me; it's more than simply a game of pool. You need to experience it to understand what makes this game so great.”
    • “They manage to keep every level feeling fresh and unique without straying from the base mechanics, and it works perfectly.”
    • “Combining the weird and silliness of Adult Swim with a sports puzzler type game makes for fun and enjoyable gameplay.”
    • “Time consuming in a bad way too, I seemed to not understand the mechanics of how to play the game.”
    • “This makes 90% of the gameplay clunky, imprecise, and frustrating.”
    • “Not recommended since the gameplay is just not fun, really.”
  • stability28 mentions

    The stability of the game is marred by frequent glitches and absurdities, leading to moments of frustration among players. While the graphics are appreciated, the technical issues detract from the overall experience, making it less reliable for a smooth gameplay session.

    • “Buggy: *exasperated* I've had it up to me eyepatch with this nonsense!”
    • “Buggy's ball just got swept up and hurled off the table by another ball!”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics, although some ugly glitches here and there.”
  • humor27 mentions

    The humor in "Pool Panic" is described as light-hearted and whimsical, featuring quirky visuals and absurd scenarios that make it a refreshing alternative to more intense games. Players appreciate the game's comedic elements, such as animated balls with personalities and humorous interactions, creating an enjoyable and entertaining experience. However, some feel that the humor can be repetitive, likening it to a friend who tells the same unfunny joke repeatedly.

    • “If you’re not a fan of the over-the-top 'shoot 'em up' games with lots of blood and gore, and are looking for something light and just flat funny, this will be an excellent alternative.”
    • “Galdino: *chuckling* it's akin to witnessing a circus performance gone awry!”
    • “There's also luchador balls that pick you up and try and sink you hahaha, it's actually hilarious.”
    • “In conclusion, Pool Panic is like that friend who insists on telling the same unfunny joke over and over again. 😒🔄”
  • music23 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique tracks that fit each level's theme, while others find it quickly becomes annoying and repetitive. Additionally, the lack of customizable settings for music volume is a notable drawback, as players can only choose to mute it entirely. Overall, while the soundtrack has its moments, it may not hold up well during extended play sessions.

    • “Great visual art and soundtrack.”
    • “There are a variety of background music which fits with the current theme of the level you are playing at.”
    • “One unique music track per level.”
    • “The music gets annoying really quick.”
    • “The settings for the game are very lackluster; one example is that you can't adjust the music, you can only turn it on or off.”
    • “[music is irritating, can get dull in longer sessions]”
  • graphics16 mentions

    The game's graphics feature a quirky and inventive art style that is both humorous and creative, offering a unique visual experience. While the overall aesthetic is praised for its originality and character, players have noted some graphical glitches and bugs that can detract from the experience. Despite these issues, the visuals are generally considered pleasant and contribute positively to the game's charm.

    • “The visuals are humorous, beautiful, creative, and full of character.”
    • “Extremely inventive level design and great oddball art style.”
    • “The art style and attention to detail work nicely, and adds an unexpected depth to this wacky game!”
    • “The art style is really wacky.”
    • “There are no graphical adjustments aside from resolution.”
    • “The game has a few minor visual bugs and major bugs that prevent you from getting trophies or finishing the level.”
  • story4 mentions

    The story in Pit People is characterized by its absurd and nonsensical nature, with each level featuring a quirky narrative that some players feel could benefit from more depth and character development. While the silliness adds charm, there is a desire for a more cohesive storyline to enhance player engagement.

    • “Each level in Pit People has a super silly and nonsensical story that adds to the charm of the game.”
    • “The goofy pool balls could benefit from having a more defined story to create additional character and engagement.”
    • “The whimsical narratives in each level of Pit People contribute to its unique and entertaining atmosphere.”
    • “Perhaps to get more people interested and to create more character in the goofy pool balls, give the levels some kind of story.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with users likening the experience to a chaotic circus performance, suggesting significant issues that detract from overall gameplay.

  • replayability2 mentions

    Users consistently highlight the game’s high replay value, indicating that it offers engaging content and experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “High replay value.”
    • “High replay value.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

Buy Pool Panic

Videos

Similar Games