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CUE CLUB 2 (PC), RELEASE INFORMATION Last updated: July 31st, 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, 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. Three multiplayer trophies can also be won if sufficient points are earned through match victories. Sixty-two trophies in total are up for grabs, with colour-coded trophies for Tournament and Bar Challenge wins, representing the five difficulty levels. Finally, a leaderboard menu is provided for high snooker breaks and fast speed pool times, 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. New Features Cue Club 2 expands on the original game with new artwork and additional character designs. There is a large range of cues and ball sets to choose from, which can be modified to alter their appearance and performance. The table cloth, pockets and rails can also be customized, along with the speed of the cloth and cushions. The method of cueing may also be adjusted. Additionally, players can choose from a selection of coloured chalk. The physics engine has been fully overhauled and the A.I. of the computer opponents significantly improved to play in a more natural and realistic way. Players can save shots and replay them at a variety of speeds and camera angles, and also save and replay their highest snooker breaks and speed pool clearance times. Matches can also be saved mid-game and resumed later, allowing for tournaments and other long games to be completed in multiple sittings. As a bonus, two fun games have been added, including a revised 'Slam' mode, where balls can be swung around on a length of cord, and a 'Detonator' mode where the balls explode on impact (this mode was formerly a "cheat" option in the original Cue Club). A selection of nine new soundtracks were composed for the title, serving as background music to complement gameplay. In an attempt to stay true to its roots, Cue Club 2 retains recognizable styling elements from the first game, but with several key technical improvements to enable support for widescreen, ultra-widescreen, and touchscreen monitors, in addition to 1080p High Definition graphics and 4K displays. The software can support multiple resolutions and aspect ratios, to ensure there is no stretching or image distortion. Full-screen anti-aliasing is also supported, as well as multiple refresh rates ranging from 60 Hz up to 240 Hz. Online Multiplayer In September 2016, Bulldog added an online multiplayer feature with customisable game rules, allowing players to compete over the Internet. Winning matches increases the player's score, and when sufficient points have been gained the multiplayer trophies are awarded, of which there are three in total. The online mode also incorporates an in-game text chat facility. 3D Cameras In June 2017, a first-person camera view was added to the game, along with 3D tables and bars. Players can quickly switch between top-down and first-person mode, which leads to a more realistic playing experience whilst still offering a full view of the table. The various themed bars are also represented in 3D (Cue Club, Basement, Cocktail and Penthouse), with an option to customize the look of the Cue Club bar. In later updates several other camera views were added, including a 'TV' style 360-degree rotating camera, for watching your opponent and also for replays. Larger Table Sizes In April 2018, a selection of bigger tables were introduced, including 6, 7, 8 and 9ft pool tables, along with 8, 9, 10, 11 and full-size 12ft snooker tables. Whilst the larger tables would be more challenging to play on, Bulldog were keen to further increase the realism of the simulation and provide more configurable options for the players, in both competitive matches and practice mode. Table orientation can also be flipped left-to-right, which is mainly a feature for 2D top-down play. New Venues In February 2019, four new theatre venues were added: Cue Club, Basement, Cocktail and Penthouse theatres. These venues feature an interactive and lively audience who respond to good shots with cheering and applause, and sigh when fouls are committed. Theatres are used to host tournament matches, and can also be selected for quick matches, multiplayer and practice play. Alternative Control System In June 2020, a new control system was introduced for mouse and keyboard, and also game controllers. The method, called 'fast aiming' allows the player to set up shots more easily and without the need to press and hold buttons to adjust the aiming target. The previous control method was preserved for players who prefer to use the original system, with an option provided in the menus. In January 2021, automatic ball nomination was added to both pool and snooker. The system utilises the aiming line and target to quickly nominate balls, speeding up gameplay. Table Wear In September 2020, cloth wear was added as a selectable menu option. There are four levels available, which introduce chalk marks, burn marks and general wear and tear in progressively increasing amounts, which also affects the speed of the table. Players are still able to select a new table cloth, which is the default option. Extra Trophies In November 2020, a range of new colour-coded trophies were introduced for each of the five difficulty settings of tournament and Bar Challenge modes. In August 2022, bronze, silver and gold awards were added to multiplayer for gaining 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 points respectively, bringing the total number of collectible trophies up to sixty-two. Cue Club 2: Summary of Features Check out the game at www.cueclub.com |
© 2024 Bulldog Interactive. Cue Club is a registered trademark of Bulldog Interactive. All rights reserved.
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