Pool or billiard is a bar staple. To such a degree even I, a well-documented introvert who rarely visits bars for any occasion had my encounters with the game. And despite my absolute inability to play any sport, there's some kind of gentle magic to billiard. That moment when you pick up a cue you can feel like the spirits of the place seep through your hands and somehow you start to believe you can actually play! Of course reality sets in right after a few terrible strikes, but hey - if you're playing it with equally inept friends it becomes a fun, casual experience.
One could say that I am not the best person to review a straightforward billiard game then. Not exactly my hobby, not a passionate enthusiast. But ASTA-POOL: Can humans beat bots? might've been the best way to get myself introduced to the game of pool, big time. But before I dig into why, let's get the game narrative in place. Oh yes, a story! That's the first unexpected thing - I definitely didn't expect a game about billiards to have a proper story to go with, but ASTA-POOL delivers on that front. In the distant future of year 2629 humanity managed to scrape a victory against the alien invasion. We slip into the shoes of Lieutenant Jerry J. Jensen who takes his girlfriend, Cisco, to a local billiards joint - an exclusive Asta-Pool Club.
Unfortunately for them, however, it seems the club is rather picky about who can play at their "tables". Turns out the bar is very bot-centric as the bots have proven to be outstanding players with unerring accuracy. And so, most nights are bot-nights, with barely a day or two spared for the meek meatbags! But our daring lieutenant promised his gal a lovely night out, so he is not going to back down. And so, begins his little adventure in trying to ask the titular question - can humans beat bots? Only you can make sure that this is going to happen.
It's a nice little touch - the story isn't anything robust or extraordinary, but it is more than serviceable and adds a layer of fun to the progression through the levels. Now then, coming back to the initial conundrum; Should a billiard greenhorn like me even try to tackle reviewing a game sorely and entirely focused on hitting balls over the table into pockets?
The answer is a big, resounding yes. Because ASTA-POOL is an astonishing tutorial and intro to the world of this sport. I learned, without exaggeration, everything. The proper terminology for every single piece. Names for techniques and how to execute them. I know what's a scratch now. I can perform a bank shot. I can yell Carom whenever it occurs! The game is very patient and well-paced with the introduction of every term, and every little trick, making sure you have ample time and place to train them before checking if your newfound knowledge got retained in an actual match.
This is already a great spot to recommend ASTA-POOL for anyone who would like to learn billiard games but doesn't know where to start. Additional help comes in the form of bonuses. I suck at predicting the angle of the shot, so some shots and lost games could ramp up my frustration. But the game is pretty generous with giving various one-use alterations, allowing you to trick the game a bit. Be it a ball with better targeting, a ball you can somewhat control as it goes, or even a little 'get-out-of-jail-free' ball that erases a scratch to save your match. There are quite a lot of those and they were a huge help for a beginner like me.
It's important to add that the game other than its story mode offers Instant Action, allowing you to play any unlocked game mode at a moment's notice. As well as couch multiplayer - plug in a gamepad and you can play with a friend, no problemo. It's a nice addition, to be sure.
Alas, it's not all roses and sunshine! While I appreciate that the game offers so many modes and variations of the billiard, some are quite inventive and fun - like the maze one where you have to avoid bombs or Gravity 8, where all balls are in motion and you have to 'catch' yours before the opponent does so - some of the modes were extreme walls for me to smash my head on. 1 Hole, as an example, was brutal - if I didn't land a scratch to lose the match, it would be the bot that would pocket our cue ball to reset the game, even if I was so close to winning! Using bonuses here feels mandatory, and I would possibly never cross that line if not for their generous use. Of course, I understand that might stem from me being so bad at this kind of game, but still, some of the modes were more frustrating than fun.
The audiovisuals are a mixed bag too. The art style is... acceptable. Some elements are great, love the little animations on rolling in new levels or how the balls interact on the tables. They have weight when they need to have it or float freely in modes that require it. The characters though never clicked with me visually. The musical number was cute, but also didn't stir me much and the music overall was just fine. Love the addition of Jukebox though, letting you pick songs or turn them off whatsoever.
It's hard for me to even grade a game like this. On one hand, it's competent, if rudimentary. A game about billiard games, doing its best to teach them as well as introducing a whole plenty of peculiar, fun, and unusual variants of their design. Fun! On the other... It's a competent, rudimentary game. It is Pool, in a Sci-Fi dress, and some cool addition to getting the beginners feel more at ease, to let them dabble and find out if this kind of sport is up their alley. So I will say this; If you're a billiard enthusiast, this might be a perfect addition to your collection. And if you're not, but you want to learn, if you want to train and improve your game with the cue stick and the angles as well as learn all the terms... Then ASTA-POOL is perfect for you as well.
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