3D Pool Urban Hustle

When you really think about it, having a place where people can drink themselves stupid on alcohol and get to play games that involve chucking pointed metal rods at a board, and hitting plastic moulded compound balls on felt with a piece of wood, you kind of wonder how there aren't more pub game-based injuries.

After all, as you down pint after pint, your accuracy begins to seriously dwindle, while your alcohol-fuelled confidence increases to superhero-like proportions.

I-play's new pool sim aims to bring some of the atmosphere and skill of playing pool down the pub (without the temptation of getting inebriated) to the confines of your mobile. The object of 3D Pool Urban Hustle is simple: players must use their cueing ability to earn themselves as much prize money as they possibly can.

Motives aside, it's hard not to be immediately impressed by the look and feel of this latest ball-potter. As a rookie hustler, you can practice your pool skills in Urban Hustle's striking 3D environment before taking on the full tournament option, in which you go up against three different players across three separate locations (London, New York and Los Angeles).

The players are of an increasingly difficult skill level and challenge you to ever-harder trick shots. You have a number of these trick shots to complete, which you can wager on to gain the money necessary to compete in the final full match against each of the opponents (be it UK or US 8-ball, or US 9-ball, dependent on the city you are hustling in).

Using the cue ball as the central point, you rotate your way around the pool table by manipulating the thumbstick, thereby surveying the shots on offer to you. The 3D graphics are pleasingly smooth and there's even background detail of the room you're in.

Helpfully, the visual detail extends to a white line showing where the cue ball will go in any given direction and also its rebound trajectory. It's a pretty accurate system but, vitally, the hardcore amongst you will be pleased to know you can switch off the guidance lines.

Conversely, if you feel the need for more of a helping hand in trying to work out your angles, then pushing up on the thumbstick or press the '2' button displays an overhead view of the table.

The game has more than just visual flair, though. Its audio capabilities are of an equally high standard, the music being an accomplished, funky little number, while the in-game sound effects – such as sampled cheering when you sink a pot, the realistic sound of striking the cue ball, and the satisfying thud as you pocket the balls – really add to the atmosphere.

Ultimately, 3D Pool Urban Hustle represents the next step for this subgenre. It's an impressive technical achievement and although it probably doesn't quite sound the death knell for 2D gaming on your handset – especially considering there are still plenty of popular non-3D equipped phones out there – it is certainly a promising glimpse of the future.

The game is solidly programmed and fun to play, too, and once you have sussed the control system and got the hang of the intricacies of playing pool in a virtual 3D world, you'll remain keen to have a quick go whenever you're on the move.

3D Pool Urban Hustle

Looks good and plays almost as well – this is another convincing step for 3D mobile gaming
Score
Chris Maddox
Chris Maddox
Liverpool fan, Chris, loves to watch the mighty Redmen play. In between matches however, he's an avid mobile games reviewer for Pocket Gamer. Chris has assured us that he only thinks about Liverpool FC a mere 80 per cent of the day.