Virtual Pool 2

Virtual Pool 2 (acronymed to VP2) is a 3D, first-person sports simulation video game developed by Celeris and released by VR Sports on behalf of Interplay Productions in 1997.[2] It is the third release of the Virtual Pool franchise of computer simulations of pool games developed by Celeris.[2] VP2 is the second main series title in the Virtual Pool series, and would later be released alongside Virtual Pool 1.[3]

Virtual Pool 2
Original PC release box art
Developer(s)Celeris
Publisher(s)VR Sports
Platform(s)Windows
Release
Genre(s)Sports simulation – pool
Mode(s)Single-player, two-player

Overview
Player attempts to pot the "3" Ball in the corner pocket, using left hand english and follow

Virtual Pool 2 is an accurate simulation of several different modes of pool. Like its predecessor video game, the game is viewed in first-person 3D perspective, in contrast to most earlier pool games which featured a fixed overhead view.[4] And, as with all Virtual Pool games, Interplay offered a full refund for buyers of the game who did not see an improvement in their pool abilities within 45 days of purchase and returned the CD-ROM to the company.[5][6]

In addition to the three pool game modes offered in Virtual Pool, Nine Ball, Straight Pool and Eight Ball, VP2 includes many mode modes including different modes of eight-ball pool (APA rules, English pub or American bar variations), as well as other variants, such as Three-ball, 10-ball, One-Pocket and Bank Pool.[2] The game uses a higher frame rate and resolution of 16-bit graphics over the original.[2] The game was released for Microsoft Windows 95, but was later patched to work on Windows 98.[7][8]

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Steve Davis return from Virtual Snooker on the box art, with Davis quoted as saying that the game was "Even better than the original -it allows me to play all my trick shots!", and O'Sullivan "Incredibly realistic - Everything feels just right."[9] Lou Butera makes a return in game to teach the player trick shots, whilst Mike Sigel is seen in game, showing off pool shots via over 75 in-game cutscenes.[2][6] Following on from Virtual Pool, VP2 expands the amount of AI opponents to over 100.[6] Whilst also expanding the number of game modes on offer, the game also includes the ability to play, and create tournaments, all for online, single player, or multiplayer use.[6]

Reception

Virtual Pool 2 received generally similar reviews to that of Virtual Pool, but generally more positive than that of Virtual Snooker. Review aggregate website GameRankings scored the game at 73%, with Computer Games Magazine scoring the game 3.5/5, and PC Gameplay scoring the game 7/10.[10] GameSpot scored the game at 7.8, saying that VP2 had "taken many strides in improving upon its earlier Virtual Pool", and that VR Sports had "worked magic".[6] However, they also stated that Virtual Pool 2 "requires some getting used to."[6]

Next Generation reviewed the PC version of the game, rating it five stars out of five, and stated that "This is indeed a simulation of rare quality and deserves all the success it can get."[11]

Virtual Pool 2 was also a finalist for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 1997 "Personal Computer: Sports Game of the Year" award,[12] which ultimately went to FIFA: Road to World Cup 98.[13]

References
  1. Staff (November 27, 1997). "Now Shipping". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on February 18, 1998. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
    Now Shipping: "...Virtual Pool 2..."
  2. "Virtual Pool 2 for PC (1997)". MobyGames. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  3. "Virtual Pool 1 / Virtual Pool 2 Bundle (Jewel Case)". Amazon.com. Seattle, WA: Amazon.com Inc. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
  4. Newman, Jeff (December 1995). "Bosses Bound and Gagged, Now Let the Games Begin". Network Computing. 6 (16): 32.
  5. "Bits & Bytes: The Enter*Active File". Billboard. July 1995. p. 66.
  6. "Virtual Pool 2 Review". GameSpot. December 22, 1997. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  7. "UK Patch Virtual Pool 2". Interplay Productions. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  8. "Virtual Pool 2 PC Specifications". CNet.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  9. "Virtual Pool 2 Big Box PC Complete Game". Amazon. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  10. "Virtual Pool 2 for PC". GameRankings. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  11. "Finals". Next Generation. No. 38. Imagine Media. February 1998. p. 122.
  12. "The Award; Award Updates 1". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on June 15, 1998.
  13. "The Award; Award Updates 2". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on June 15, 1998.
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