I was first exposed to Virtual Pool while browsing through my uncle's game collection in the late 90s & stumbling upon something called "Virtual Pool 2." I was big into pool/snooker at the time, & while I was fortunate enough to be gifted a 6ft table when I was 10 or so, due to noise & setup required, I couldn't play as much as I'd have liked (during the weekdays at least). Thankfully, VP2 kept me company for hundreds of hours, and I've really fond memories of playing it with friends & family alike.

Virtual Pool 4 continues off where those childhood memories left off, giving the closest thing to a real pool experience you can hope to achieve without the help of dedicated controllers & VR headsets. Gameplay is responsive, the tables are very customizable, & there's more game modes in there than even I've heard of. Unfortunately the AI isn't programmed to play some of them, so you're likely to be left playing them solo or local co-op only.

On the topic of AI, it really is hit & miss at times. I've seen 1600 MMR AI play a perfect jump-shot over 2 balls, only to later see a 2000+ MMR AI play a slower shot with a bit of side/English, only to miss the object ball entirely. They can all break like a champion, but give them an open 9 with ball in hand, & don't be surprised if you see even the higher level AI pocket the white at the same time.

Visuals are simultaneously great & dated, with the highlights being the tables & balls, with the cues getting a passing grade as well. However, the low quality backgrounds stick out like a sore thumb, although I'd argue they don't detract too much (if at all) of VP4's goal of making your real pool game better.

Does it make your real pool game better? I'd have to say yes. The spotted white gives a real good illustration of how different ways of striking result in different types of spin, & while the perspective is obviously never going to be identical to looking directly down a cue in real life, it really is a good way to learn how to read & force angles.

As for online, well, unfortunately I've never actually played it. I bought VP4 direct from Celeris years ago before picking it up again on Steam, & the weird online account system & browser driven game finder just put me off entirely. It's 2021 - I don't feel like an in-game matchmaking system is too much to ask for.

Overall, while the backgrounds are dated, the online is needlessly cumbersome, & the AI bounces between incredibly stupid & overly punishing from shot to shot, VP4's physics shine brightly enough to make it an absolutely solid recommendation for anyone looking to just hit some balls & have some fun.

I was first exposed to Virtual Pool while browsing through my uncle's game collection in the late 90s & stumbling upon something called "Virtual Pool 2." I was big into pool/snooker at the time, & while I was fortunate enough to be gifted a 6ft table when I was 10 or so, due to noise & setup required, I couldn't play as much as I'd have liked (during the weekdays at least). Thankfully, VP2 kept me company for hundreds of hours, and I've really fond memories of playing it with friends & family alike. Virtual Pool 4 continues off where those childhood memories left off, giving the closest thing to a real pool experience you can hope to achieve without the help of dedicated controllers & VR headsets. Gameplay is responsive, the tables are very customizable, & there's more game modes in there than even I've heard of. Unfortunately the AI isn't programmed to play some of them, so you're likely to be left playing them solo or local co-op only. On the topic of AI, it really is hit & miss at times. I've seen 1600 MMR AI play a perfect jump-shot over 2 balls, only to later see a 2000+ MMR AI play a slower shot with a bit of side/English, only to miss the object ball entirely. They can all break like a champion, but give them an open 9 with ball in hand, & don't be surprised if you see even the higher level AI pocket the white at the same time. Visuals are simultaneously great & dated, with the highlights being the tables & balls, with the cues getting a passing grade as well. However, the low quality backgrounds stick out like a sore thumb, although I'd argue they don't detract too much (if at all) of VP4's goal of making your real pool game better. Does it make your real pool game better? I'd have to say yes. The spotted white gives a real good illustration of how different ways of striking result in different types of spin, & while the perspective is obviously never going to be identical to looking directly down a cue in real life, it really is a good way to learn how to read & force angles. As for online, well, unfortunately I've never actually played it. I bought VP4 direct from Celeris years ago before picking it up again on Steam, & the weird online account system & browser driven game finder just put me off entirely. It's 2021 - I don't feel like an in-game matchmaking system is too much to ask for. Overall, while the backgrounds are dated, the online is needlessly cumbersome, & the AI bounces between incredibly stupid & overly punishing from shot to shot, VP4's physics shine brightly enough to make it an absolutely solid recommendation for anyone looking to just hit some balls & have some fun.