Virtual Pool 2

File:Screenshot from Virtual Pool 2.jpg

Virtual Pool 2 is a simulation of several different modes of pool. Like its predecessor, Virtual Pool, the game is viewed in first-person 3D perspective, in contrast to most earlier pool games, which featured a fixed overhead view.{{Cite magazine | last=Newman | first=Jeff | title=Bosses Bound and Gagged, Now Let the Games Begin | magazine=Network Computing | volume=6 | issue=16 | date=December 1995 | page=32}} 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.{{Cite magazine | title=Bits & Bytes: The Enter*Active File | magazine=Billboard | publisher=Eldridge Industries | date=July 1995 | page=66}}

In addition to the three pool game modes offered in Virtual Pool (nine ball, straight pool and eight ball), Virtual Pool 2 includes 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. The game uses a higher frame rate and resolution of 16-bit graphics over the original. The game was released for Microsoft Windows 95, but was later patched to work on Windows 98.{{Cite web | url=http://www.interplay.com/downloads/pool2uk.zip | title=UK Patch Virtual Pool 2 | website=Interplay Entertainment | access-date=December 22, 2017}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.cnet.com/products/virtual-pool-2-pc/specs/ | title=Virtual Pool 2 PC Specifications | website=CNET | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=December 22, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223042704/https://www.cnet.com/products/virtual-pool-2-pc/specs/ | archive-date=December 23, 2017 | url-status=dead}}

Following on from Virtual Pool, Virtual Pool 2 expands the amount of AI opponents to over 100. 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.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Steve Davis return from Virtual Snooker on the box art.{{cite book | url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Virtual-Pool-Big-Game-Complete/dp/B000YOJ0JE | title=Virtual Pool 2 Big Box PC Complete Game | via=Amazon UK | publisher=Amazon.com Inc. | access-date=December 22, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222220148/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Virtual-Pool-Big-Game-Complete/dp/B000YOJ0JE | archive-date=December 22, 2017 | url-status=live}} 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 in-game cutscenes.

{{Video game reviews

|GR = 73%{{Cite web | url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/55430-virtual-pool-2/index.html | title=Virtual Pool 2 for PC | website=GameRankings | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=November 3, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526123439/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/55430-virtual-pool-2/index.html | archive-date=May 26, 2019 | url-status=dead}}

|CNG = 8/10{{Cite web | last=Bateman | first=Selby | date=December 2, 1997 | url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1336,00.html | title=Virtual Pool 2 | website=Gamecenter | publisher=CNET | access-date=November 3, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816111857/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1336,00.html | archive-date=August 16, 2000 | url-status=dead}}

|CGSP = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite web | last=Smith | first=Peter | year=1997 | url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/009/100/vp2_review.html | title=Virtual Pool 2 | website=Computer Games Strategy Plus | publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. | access-date=November 3, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030529150937/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/009/100/vp2_review.html | archive-date=May 29, 2003 | url-status=dead}}

|CGW = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite magazine | last=Coffey | first=Robert | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_167.pdf | title=Virtual Pool 2 | magazine=Computer Gaming World | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=167 | date=June 1998 | page=S26 | access-date=November 3, 2021}}

|GSpot = 7.8/10{{Cite web | last=Hunsanger | first=Kevin | date=December 22, 1997 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtual-pool-2-review/1900-2531769/ | title=Virtual Pool 2 Review [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000"] | website=GameSpot | publisher=Red Ventures | access-date=November 3, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050116055028/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sports/virtualpool2/review.html | archive-date=January 16, 2005 | url-status=live}}

|GStar = 78%{{Cite magazine | title=Virtual Pool 2 | language=de | magazine=GameStar | publisher=Webedia | date=November 1997}}

|Hyper = 84%{{Cite magazine | last=Toose | first=Dan | url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6b/Hyper_AU_052.pdf | title=Virtual Pool 2 | magazine=Hyper | publisher=Next Media Pty Ltd | issue=52 | date=February 1998 | page=81 | access-date=November 3, 2021}}

|NGen = {{Rating|5|5}}{{Cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration38Feb1998/page/n123/mode/2up | title=Virtual Pool 2 | magazine=Next Generation | publisher=Imagine Media | issue=38 | date=February 1998 | page=122 | access-date=November 3, 2021}}

|PCGUS = 90%{{Cite magazine | last=Vaughn | first=Todd | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/1133.html | title=Virtual Pool 2 | magazine=PC Gamer | publisher=Imagine Media | volume=5 | issue=1 | date=January 1998 | access-date=November 3, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000311032147/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/1133.html | archive-date=March 11, 2000 | url-status=dead}}

}}

Virtual Pool 2 received generally similar reviews to that of Virtual Pool, but generally more positive than that of Virtual Snooker. GameSpot said that the game had "taken many strides in improving upon its earlier Virtual Pool", and that VR Sports had "worked magic". However, they also stated that Virtual Pool 2 "requires some getting used to." GamePro said, "With a great soundtrack, dazzling visuals, and intuitive control, no self-respecting shark should be without Virtual Pool 2."{{cite magazine | author=Dan Elektro | url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_103_February_1998/page/n75/mode/2up | title=Virtual Pool 2 | magazine=GamePro | publisher=IDG Entertainment | issue=113 | date=February 1998 | page=71 | access-date=November 3, 2021}}{{efn|GamePro gave the game a perfect 5/5 for graphics, sound, control, and fun factor.}} Next Generation called it "a simulation of rare quality [that] deserves all the success it can get."

Virtual Pool 2 was a finalist for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' inaugural "PC Sports Game of the Year" award,{{Cite web | url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm | title=The Award - Updates | website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090128/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm | archive-date=June 15, 1998 | url-status=dead}} and was also nominated for the "Best Sports Game" award at the CNET Gamecenter Awards for 1997;{{Cite web | author=Gamecenter staff | date=January 28, 1998 | url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss10a.html | title=The Gamecenter Awards for 1997! (Sports, Part 2) | website=Gamecenter | publisher=CNET | access-date=November 6, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000824080815/http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss10a.html | archive-date=August 24, 2000 | url-status=dead}} both awards were ultimately given to FIFA: Road to World Cup 98.{{Cite web | url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm | title=The Award - Winners | website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090115/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm | archive-date=June 15, 1998 | url-status=dead}}{{Cite web | author=Gamecenter staff | date=January 28, 1998 | url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss10b.html | title=The Gamecenter Awards for 1997! (Sports Winner) | website=Gamecenter | publisher=CNET | access-date=November 3, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000930002942/http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss10b.html | archive-date=September 30, 2000 | url-status=dead}}

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• {{moby game|id=/windows/virtual-pool-2}}
• [http://www.celeris.com/ Developer Celeris official website]

{{Virtual Pool}}

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Category:1997 video games

Category:Interplay Entertainment games

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

Category:Video games developed in the United States

Category:Virtual Pool

Category:Windows games

Category:Windows-only games