Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Genres: Sports video game, Simulation Game
Developer: Cherry Pop Games
Publisher: Cherry Pop Games
Initial release date: August 29, 2024
Chas and Dave, the musical wordsmiths, sang, “Snooker loopy nuts are we, me, him, them, and me.”
Snooker was a staple of English sports culture at the period, rising to popularity in the late 1970s, with players such as Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins and Jimmy “Whirlwind” White becoming household names and celebrities.
Over the years, many video games have featured snooker as the hero. From the 1980s with Steve Davis Snooker to the more modern Snooker 19 for Xbox. Now we have Snooker Blitz, a free-to-play game. However, the desire to engage in microtransactions remains strong.
Snooker Blitz: free-to-play ball potting
For a game founded in the late 1800s, it has a fairly solid history. For those who don’t know, snooker is played on a green felt table with 15 red balls, a yellow, a green, a brown, a blue, a pink, and a black ball, all vying for a spot in one of the six pockets. A white ball is hit with a cue, and as you pocket each ball, each one is worth points; the one with the highest score wins. We probably don’t need to explain you all of this, but it’s in paper now, and it will be the center of your play in Snooker Blitz. If you don’t like snooker, turn away now.
The game is simple to learn, and a few extensive tutorials will help you master the fundamentals and more sophisticated features. You line up the shot with your thumbsticks, and a cursor indicates where the ball will land and subsequently move. You hold back on the right stick to determine the amount of power required for each shot, then proceed. More final improvements include adding spin to the ball and using a closer camera to capture the shot in minute detail. It all works perfectly and is simple to set up and play.
You can play Snooker Blitz online, against real-world opponents, or with bots, so there is always an opportunity to participate in a match, no matter what time of day. When you do decide to participate, you will be provided with some dollars, a cue, and your wits. You can join a league and participate in weekly tournaments.
Hardly packed
The more you play, the more currency you earn. However, each time you play the game, you will most likely need to use some of that currency to buy in. I believe the goal behind Snooker Blitz is that you will develop an addiction and want to pay real money to maintain your involvement, rather than sitting about waiting for things to happen. Whether you like that marketing model or not is a personal decision, and while I understand the free-to-play concept and why they need to pay for it, I would have rather to have these features baked in, sitting behind a regular priced game.
Snooker Blitz’s visuals are quite beautiful, and the tables appear to be snooker tables; it would be surprising if they weren’t. And, while the settings are reminiscent of a pub, it is rarely crowded with customers or players, which is a bummer. Snooker Blitz also suffers from poor menu design. They are insane, and for me, it’s all a little confused at times, lots of color, with things like chests to open and tons of opportunities to spend real money on cosmetic items and in-game currency. It’s just a little’much’.
The sound quality is good, with individuals gently clearing their throats in the background. When you pot a ball, the umpire announces the score, which is always satisfying.
Pay to win – if necessary.
Snooker Blitz is one of those tough games to master. As an addition to the snooker genre, it is a strong and addictive game. The mechanics are great, and all of the necessities for a snooker title are present, including league tables and knockout events. But there in the forefront is the nasty old question: should you spend money to advance? Yes, many people are grown enough to spend their money how they see fit, but the format feels out of date to me.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 79%
Controls: 82%
Aesthetics: 80%
Content: 75%
Accessibility: 78%
Value: 77%
Overall: 78%
GOOD
Summary: “Snooker Blitz” immerses players in the fascinating world of snooker with its fast-paced gameplay and captivating features. The game expertly blends classic snooker with creative difficulties, guaranteeing that both newbies and veterans may have fun. Smooth controls and a visually appealing ambiance elevate the experience, immersing players in the competitive spirit of snooker. While the content may use more diversity and depth, “Snooker Blitz” is still a good pick for anyone searching for a fun game of snooker. It’s an interesting option for cue sports fans thanks to its combination of accessibility and fascinating gameplay.