subpar pool

A charming little arcade game that works as a great time killer.

Billiards has been looking pretty weird around here...and I like it! .u. subpar pool is an interesting mix of billiards and golf where you're tasked with sinking all the balls on each level (of which there are 5 in a run, and they're randomly-picked), all while trying not to go over each level's shot limit by too much to avoid losing lives. You can do trickshots such as sinking balls back-to-back, sinking multiple balls at once, sinking a ball from a long distance, etc.! I enjoy the game's base mechanics alone, but where the game really shines is with all the modifiers and stages you can play on! From ball modifications like heavy balls and balls that chase your cue ball after you shoot it, to limitations like having a fixed starting position on each level and needing to clear levels under a time limit, to stages involving portals to shoot balls through and conveyor belts that can take things for a spin, there's a ton of stuff to mix together in subpar pool. You're encouraged to try out various combinations too with the challenges that appear on the modifier and stage cards. Some require you to have other cards activated in order to count progress, and some count the progress you make on them from run to run (as opposed to having to finish it in one run). Ultimately, the more challenges you complete, the more stuff and max card space you'll unlock! It's not required as challenges don't disappear if you don't complete them in a run, but I sometimes feel the urge to complete multiple in one run, which can be fun and tricky.. -u- subpar pool also has a fun atmosphere! I love the whimsical music, cute art, and lively backgrounds that feel reminiscent of those town road play mats you might've seen when you were younger, I get Cartoon Network vibes from it all. c: Runs don't take too long either, but you can always quit and resume your run whenever you want! Whether you're familiar with pool or you're new to the game, you'll likely surprise yourself with some of the dope, challenging, and downright funny stuff you can pull off in subpar pool, it's a great time!

Interesting gameplay hooks combine with low stakes to make [i]subpar pool[/i] an ideal game for relaxation. I wanted something to help me unwind at the end of the day, and the only problem is the gameplay is so engaging that I find myself playing longer sessions when I should be drifting off to sleep! Each run is short—five small pool / mini-golf tables—and you can choose rule modifications and feature "cards" to make the run as straightforward or challenging as you like. The progression system involves winning a run with specific challenges or combinations of challenges to unlock new features. There are 196 of these challenges in total, and they're unlocked at an engaging pace. If you've played developer grapefrukt's previous game [i]holedown[/i], you'll probably enjoy the similar vibe of [i]subpar pool[/i]!

Subpar Pool is very charming, and it's rare to find a game that lets you pick it up and put it back down as easily as this one. There are challenges and ways to progress outside of individual runs, but the game never feels like it's trying to hook you in and keep you engaged. Removing those compulsive elements puts it in a similar category for me as sudoku or crosswords, where you can do a quick run or two and derive your own sense of achievement from completing it. The different run modifiers also give you room to add as much or as little challenge as you want, without committing to a more traditional difficulty level structure. The developer is also active in the forums, and was quick to answer a question I had regarding a trickshot challenge. Overall, the game is very pleasant, and I think its worth for players will be measured in small sessions over many days, rather than as a binge-able experience that you feel a constant urge to complete.

This is a very good "lunch break" game. The rounds are short, the art style is good, and the game is forgiving. For the current price it's hard to argue against this. Very little "ball almost goes in" stuff. Main complaint is that the mouse controls confuse me a lot. There's a line showing your shot direction anyways but I have a hard time grasping what mouse moments correspond to what shot angle and without the visual feedback I would not know what is going on (maybe there needs to be a "ghost pool stick" or something in the UI? I dunno). But this is minor

i love this game a lot, its super creative, addictive and fun admittedly, it really 100% does need new content updates, maybe like a few new types of balls (like, at least 4? idk), new stages, and other modifiers and i really wish you could use more cards in a single run its super underrated tho nonetheless not 100% sure of the *10* dollar price but i like the game anyways at least lol

This is a nice game

subpar pool is an incredibly silly and fun game that I expect to go back to regularly, the range of variator cards allows for a huge collection of play styles without it ever feeling overcomplicated. this range of possible experiences paired with the playful art direction and character animations on all of the balls makes the game with its different maps and characters come alive and feel refreshing and fun to interact with. there are definitely a few places where the UI could use some improving, and I find it a bit odd that whenever I reopen the game it loads in at the end of my previous game rather than at the menu, but there's no real major issues that stand out from the experience, and as a whole I find it to be thoroughly enjoyable, good game i hope it gets more content updates in the future

not subpar

Once you get past the clunky UI, there's just barely enough game here. Good to just knock out a few minutes at a time if you want something bite sized, but don't expect to be returning to the well for long.