Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 73 | 10 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 58% | 58 | 394 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 70 | 4 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 47% | 50 | 1 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 3 reviews sampled · 3 total reviews in window · weighted 1 up / 1.1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (38)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 75
“While newer players could be frustrated by camera limits, some gameplay quirks, and overall lack of personality, simulation fans can see minutes turn to hours when playing Pure Pool. It's a highly entertaining game that I've sunk more time into than expected.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you enjoy a game of pool every now and then, then you’re going to love Pure Pool. It’s just pool, nothing more and nothing less. Well okay, there’s snooker too, if you absolutely have to have more. There’s plenty to be getting on with here, with unlockable cues, table designs, and more to keep you coming back, and while it’s not exactly the kind of game you’ll want to marathon, it’s definitely one to keep stored in the library for a rainy day.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“A proper pool simulator that allows you to play several modes of this sport without going out home. Pretty all-round, eye-pleasing and a wide range of possibilities both online and offline that will keep you playing for quite some hours. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While I’ve never been super serious about playing pool it is a sport I’ve enjoyed in quite a number of pool halls and friends’ homes over time...”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There may not be a lot of choices on Nintendo Switch for those who want to jump into a worthwhile pool experience, however Pure Pool is the one to get for those who are keen. As good as it gets with a pool-based digital experience on the handheld, with plenty of offline and online content to make this easily worth the money.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“A passable game that can be good for a couple hours of play, sure, but that's about the best of it.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“A decent pool model that tends towards natural-style simulation, let down by several minor annoyances and one crippling problem. It's a multiplayer-leaning title, and Pure Pool's PC server troubles mean any online play is currently a non-starter.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“VooFoo can chalk this down as another successful adaptation, as Pure Pool proves to be an enjoyable and astoundingly well presented interpretation of arguably the greatest pub pastime.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In the absence of the real thing, Pure Pool is the closest you’ll get on your Switch. Career may be a bit lacking, and multiplayer a bit vacant, but when it looks this good you won’t care. There’s enough to keep you racking and chalking up to experience.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“You can easily sunk hours into Pure Pool but it's not very suitable for newcomers.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Time trials, speed potting and high score challenges all sit alongside the game's main career mode, and while they're all perfectly serviceable game types, it's Pure Pool's multiplayer that really stops the repetitive nature of the game from sticking its claws in.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pure Pool delivers one of the most fun and authentic pool experience you can get on any platform. It can be recommended even for those who are not into the sport that much.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Pure Xbox
PC Invasion
Push Square
FingerGuns
SECTOR.sk
GameGrin
GameSkinny…and 26 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Pure Pool: Update Now AvailableFeb 25, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Pure Pool: Update Now AvailableFeb 25, 2016
- Pure Pool UpdateJan 28, 2015
- Pure Pool UpdateJan 28, 2015
- Pure Pool Update 1.2 Available NowOct 16, 2014
- Pure Pool Update 1.2 Available NowOct 16, 2014
- Pure Pool Update Now AvailableAug 26, 2014significant · resets scoring window
- Pure Pool Update Now AvailableAug 26, 2014significant · resets scoring window