Pool Break Pro

Pool. Sport of choice for the almost drunk the world over.

You might think of it as a satisfying, commitment-free version of snooker, unshackled by the rules that make its larger tabled brother the preserve of men in gloomy rooms with their own cues.

As Pool Break Pro proves, though, that could not be further from the truth.

Pool Break Pro is an exhaustive pool simulator. It features eight different versions of the popular pub game, as well as Snooker, Carrom, and Crokinole. Those expecting a sedate arcade experience are in for a very rude awakening.

You're represented in-game by a floating cue, and you may swap from a first-person to a third-person view on the fly. This allows you to stride purposefully around the nicely rendered three-dimensional table, deliberating over your next shot from every conceivable angle.

Once you're down to play, Pool Break Pro is smooth and intuitive. You move your cue with finger slides - aided by imaginary lines - pull it back to determine the strength of your shot, and tap the 'shoot' button to unleash your mathematically precise cannon onto the object ball.

Spots and stripes ricochet and fall into pockets realistically, the all-important physics engine holding up well when top spin, side, and screw are applied.

Your AI opponents are consistent, rarely pulling off a long shot beyond the level expected by the difficulty setting.

Pool Break Pro isn't a game for those with a short attention span. It requires patience and practice to master. Until you've digested the rules, which are accessible from an in-game menu, it can be a frustrating experience.

Once you're racked up a few frames and put those early, foul-filled games in the past, though, you'll find that Pool Break Pro is a deep, well thought-out, and nicely constructed pool simulator.