CUE CLUB 2 (PC), RELEASE INFORMATION
Last updated: October 13th, 2024

Cue Club 2 is the latest Pool and Snooker simulator developed by Bulldog Interactive. It is the sequel to Cue Club and was released on PC on July 4th, 2014, and later on Steam on 8th March, 2016. The title has been updated regularly, to enhance the user experience with fixes, improvements and new content. Major additions include a first-person camera mode with 3D tables, bars and theatre locations, online multiplayer via an internet connection, a significant number of extra trophies to collect, and a greater variety of different-sized pool and snooker tables to play on.

The game has been built on the Microsoft DirectX 9 platform and supports Windows 10/11 as well as older versions such as XP, Vista, Windows 7 and 8. Full HD graphics, 4K, widescreen and ultra-widescreen are supported. Controls are by mouse and keyboard, game controller or touchscreen device.

Several game modes are available including Tournament, Bar Challange, Quick Match, 2, 3 and 4 Player, Practice, and Online Multiplayer. Game rules on offer include 8-ball (both US and European Blackball rules), 9-ball, 10-ball, 6-ball, 7-ball, 14.1 Straight Pool, Speed Pool, Killer Pool, and Snooker (with 6, 10 or 15 reds). The game closely follows competition rules although rule variations exist for all Pool modes and Snooker. Players can challenge a range of AI opponents of different skill levels, or go head-to-head against friends.

Incorporating a bespoke graphics engine, Cue Club 2 features both an overhead 2D view of the table and a 3D first-person perspective, along with a selection of replay cameras. There is a multitude of options to customise the table, ball sets, cues and chalk. The menus also provide an extensive range of settings to configure controls, user interface, graphics, audio and gameplay elements.

A variety of different locations are provided, offering the player an authentic experience of playing in one of the small but stylish bars, or a large theatre setting complete with a live audience.

Gameplay Structure

Similar to the original game, the setting is inside a virtual club, with bars and - new to Cue Club 2 - theatre locations. Different opponents are encountered at these venues, each with unique skills and abilities at the table. When launching the game after installation, the player is asked for a username. This generates a membership card for the Basement bar, which is the first location made available to play.

Cue Club 2 is segregated into two distinct modes. In Bar Challenge mode, the player aims to defeat a sequence of five AI opponents, or bar members, in successive matches. However, there is no requirement for any particular set of rules to be chosen, and the player selects the game type for each match. In total, there are fifteen AI players, complemented with hi-res renderings, and in Bar Challange mode, the characters are dressed casually. A membership card to the next venue is presented only after all five of the AI opponents have been beaten. As you would expect, the skill level rises with each new location. The Bar Challenge trophy is awarded when all three bars (Basement, Cocktail and Penthouse) have been completed.

Next up is tournament mode. Here, things get a little more serious, and the opposition is dressed up in smart shirts, waistcoats and bow ties. Sixteen players make up a tournament, which is played over four rounds including the first round, quarter-final, semi-final and grand final. As in real life, early rounds will often be easier to win, but the competition heats up in later rounds as tougher players battle their way through. Menu options allow you to define the match length anywhere from 'Best of 3', right up to 'Best of 35'. Fortunately, a save game facility is provided with many save slots, which is helpful to break up the longer matches. Tournament wins are rewarded with a shiny trophy, which is unique in design for each game type, and there are nine in total to collect for each difficulty level.

Aside from these competitions, more trophies are on offer for high breaks in Snooker above 30, 40, and 50, and deluxe trophies for 75, 100 and 147 breaks. In Speed Pool, there are awards for times under 3 minutes, 2 minutes 30 seconds, and 2 minutes flat. Straight pool offers up awards for high runs of 25, 50 and 100. Three multiplayer trophies can also be won if sufficient points are earned through match victories. Seventy trophies in total are up for grabs, with colour-coded trophies for Tournament and Bar Challenge wins, representing the five difficulty levels. Finally, leaderboards are provided for snooker breaks, speed pool times and straight pool runs, complete with a replay facility, and in a separate menu there are statistical break-downs too.

To finish the game, the player is expected to collect all trophies and complete the 'Summary of Achievements'. As a bonus for finishing the Bar Challenge mode, which can be particularly difficult - especially on a high-skill setting, a special victory animation is presented to celebrate the accomplishment.

Cue Club 2: Summary of Features

  • Powerful simulation with accurate ball physics
  • Play 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, 6-ball, 7-ball, 14.1 Straight Pool, Snooker, Speed Pool and Killer
  • Tournament, Bar Challenge, 2, 3 and 4 Player, Multiplayer and Practice modes
  • Fully customisable rules
  • Wide selection of tables, cues, chalk and ball sets
  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 ft tables
  • Advanced 'Artificial Intelligence' creates truly authentic opponents
  • Slow motion shot replay with save facility
  • Hall of fame with trophy room and game leaderboards
  • Selection of 9 fantastic cool Jazz soundtracks
  • 15 stylish characters to play against
  • 2D / 3D View
  • Full game controller / gamepad support
  • Touchscreen compatible
  • Supports Full HD Graphics (1920 x 1080), Ultra-Widescreen and 4K displays
  • Windows 10 / 11 (+ XP / Vista / 7 / 8)

    Check out the game at www.cueclub.com

  • © 2025 Bulldog Interactive. Cue Club is a registered trademark of Bulldog Interactive. All rights reserved.