8 Ball Pool Full Review: Story, Game play, Graphics & More

The first day I got 8 Ball Pool on my smartphone was when I met my friend in a cafe and had about 10 minutes to wait. Having some time to spare, I wanted to have a game that did not need a lot of effort to understand how it works. I got into the game and decided that it looks pretty easy and simple. But after several losses in a row, I realized that this game needed not only the right click and hit but also the proper timing and strategic thinking.

After playing this game on various devices during a reasonable period of time, I can say that this one is a kind of game that looks easy but turns out to be quite competitive once you get better. This pool game developed by Miniclip has become one of the most popular online sports games for users of Android and iOS.

Here is the complete review of the game, where I will share my experience in terms of gameplay, graphics, controls, features, mistakes to avoid for beginners, and whether this game is worth your attention.

What is 8 Ball Pool?

8 Ball Pool is an online multiplayer pool video game where one competes against live opponents globally. In this game, the player is tasked with pocketing their designated balls first before sinking the black 8-ball before their opponent.

Some of the unique features of 8 Ball Pool include:

Online multiplayer games

Pool tables with costs involved

Upgradeable cue

Competitions

Daily gifts

League ranking

Customizable avatars and accessories

Playing in short periods is one of the key factors contributing to the game's immense popularity.

Game Story and Concept

As opposed to many other mobile games, 8 Ball Pool lacks a storyline with characters and missions. The game is entirely about competing in pool matches.

Initially, this may be perceived as a missing element in the game. But, after spending some time playing this game, I realized that competition becomes the story.

You start as an amateur player with the basic set of equipment. Gradually, you develop your skills, get access to new cues, win more games, and play at high levels tables.

In reality, the progression is made up of:

Improving shots

Getting the hang of angles

Handling coins

Playing against skilled opponents

The feeling resembles the development of an actual sports skill through practice.

Gameplay experience: Easy Controls, Hard Strategy

And this is where the game stands out in terms of its gameplay.

When I played for the first time, like many beginners do, I made one mistake: I thought all that matters is to hit the ball with force.

But when you lose many games, you start understanding that power is not always enough. The strategy player, who knows how to control his cue ball, will easily beat the aggressive one.

The general process of the gameplay is the following one:

Join the game.

Select the table.

Break the balls.

Shoot the balls aiming accurately.

Adjust the shooting power by using the meter.

Pocket the balls.

End up pocketing the black 8-ball.

Controls are very comfortable for touchscreen devices, because all you need to do is drag the aiming line, adjust the angle and the shooting power.

Realistic Physics and Shot Control

One of the best aspects about 8 Ball Pool is its physics engine.

The game allows you to control your shots' parameters such as:

Direction

Power

Cue ball trajectory

Spin impact

Controlling the spin was something I didn’t pay attention to in my initial games. After that, I realized that including spin can totally transform your shot results.

For instance:

Backspin

will make the cue ball move backwards after the hit on another ball.

Top spin

will propel the cue ball forward.

Side spin

will alter the direction after bounce.

All these little skills make a huge impact on the gameplay against more advanced players.

Graphics and Visual Quality

Though 8 Ball Pool is not a graphic-intensive game, its visual quality is good.

The game contains:

High-definition pool tables

Animations

Real ball dynamics

Varied environments

Nice-looking cues

The game has been tested on both cheap Android phones and smartphones. In cheap phones, there were some loading issues, however, it worked fine overall.

Here, the developers put an emphasis on game performance rather than graphics that is a wise move for a mobile competition game.

Performance and Device Compatibility

One of the reasons why I am recommending this game is due to its compatibility across many devices.

This game can be played on:

Android phones

Iphones

Tablets

For better gameplay, I would recommend:

Minimum 2 GB RAM

Up-to-date Operating System

Reliable internet connection

While playing using a weak phone, I realized that the apps running in the background could cause some slight lagging. Switching off all unnecessary applications solved the problem.

Online Multiplayer Game Experience

The main advantage of 8 Ball Pool is playing against real opponents.

You can play against:

Random online users

Friends

Players in tournaments

Each game is unique because each player uses a different strategy.

Some players play conservatively, while others choose to take risks in their shots. This makes the game interesting even after playing hundreds of games.

Internet speed is important because slow internet can delay your shots.

Cue System and Upgrades

The cue system is another component of the game.

Some cues possess various skills like:

Increased time to aim

Enhanced force

More control over spin

Faster charging

It is possible to improve cues with game resources.

My recommendation for newcomers: Do not use coins randomly for everything. It is better to enhance one excellent cue rather than purchase several average ones.

Managing resources is essential as losing games might decrease the amount of coins rapidly.

My Beginner Mistakes in 8 Ball Pool

At the beginning of my gaming journey, there were some errors I committed that most novice players usually do.

1. Entering High Stake Games Prematurely

I used costly tables with insufficient experience and lost lots of coins.

2. Not Caring About Cue Ball Position

I cared only about pocketing one ball per turn.

3. Using Maximum Power All The Time

Not all powerful shots are useful.

4. Shooting Fast

Sometimes I played fast and missed simple shots.

8 Ball Pool Skill Improvement Tips

If you are a beginner, these tips will help you progress quickly.

Practice Aiming

Learn about angles as much as you can. The more experience you gain, the better your predictions become.

Know How to Do Bank Shots

Not all shots are possible directly; bank shots may come to your rescue.

Save Your Coins

Never enter high stake games without being certain of yourself.

Watch Skilled Players Play

This will help you learn how to position yourself properly.

Upgrade Wisely

Upgrade the equipment that suits your style.

Is 8 Ball Pool a Pay-to-Win Game?

This is a popular query among the newcomers.

It does feature the element of payments, but the premium stuff might be an asset to you. Yet, at the same time, the skill still matters.

An experienced player with just an ordinary pool stick will beat the beginner with fancy equipment.

Money can help you with collecting, but only practice can improve your skills.

Is the Gameplay of 8 Ball Pool Worth Playing?

Absolutely, the gameplay of 8 Ball Pool mobile game is worthy of being played if you prefer games that are easy to start but hard to master. The controls in the game are extremely convenient, the matches are rather quick and every match is unique because you play against real opponents. The game is absolutely suitable for the break when you can have a competitive match without long missions and challenging tasks.

The best thing about the gameplay is its realistic pool mechanics. You need not only to think about the angle and strength of shots but also to pay attention to the position of the cue ball. The game looks rather simple at first sight, but as time goes on and you play against more experienced opponents, you learn how to do spins and bank shots and to control the table better.

However, the beginners should not try to play the high-level matches immediately because the losses of such matches result in the fast depletion of your coins.