Snooker is a funny old game, in fact it hardly feels like a sport at all, especially when compared to other more energy sapping sports like football for example, but there is something about snooker games on a console that get you hooked, it’s hard to put your finger on what exactly but it’s there and this is true of World Championship Snooker 2007 from Sega which sets out to authenticate snooker exactly.
The first thing you notice about this game is that the controls are excellent, anybone from your clumsy friend to your grandad could pick this game up and play it such is the simplicity of the controls, not only that but the games use of tactics as well as skill makes for very involved gameplay indeed, even people who have no desire to play snooker will be able to pull of spectacular shots using the basic controls and for the more advanced player, the ability to spin the ball is made easy by the press of a button.
If you are still not confident that you will be able to pick up and play this game then there is even a tutorial which will guide you through the basics and if you need an extra hand during your match you can call on the services of the ever helpful John Virgo.
The learning curve means that the more games you play, the better you will becomine and before you know it you will be pulling off shots that you usually only see on the television. Once you feel confident enough to take on the big boys you can start to take part in the various competitions that are on offer, these range from snooker, pool or if you like you can even create a tournament with includes both and once you think you are a world beater you can sign into Xbox Live and take the world on, just to prove it to yourself.
To make things simpler for the novice, Sega have included a feature which tells you in which order to pot the balls, this is very useful as to be fair, only really snooker fans may know this, you are also aided when you line up a shot by a white line which give you an idea of the balls target and where your white ball is likely to end up.
Of course as with most games, skill is still required, especially when you take to Xbox Live, for example when taking harder shots at tighter angles the line which guides you to the coloured ball’s target becomes smaller and therefore it becomes much tougher for you to pot these should you not have been practising and once you master the basics you will then have to get used to the spin technique which you will need should you wish to compete with the best.
Once you get bored of Snooker you can then venture onto pool, this has always been a favourite of mine due to the speed and simplicity of the game, it is very enjoyable to play, though you will find in this game that the computer opponents are very tough and just one mistake will usually mean that you are waiting around while they clear the table.
Graphically the game does not disappoint, it is most definitely next gen all the way, the colours of the balls are clear and crisp and the snooker stars all look like their real life counterparts, this is all complemented by the sound which if you close your eyes would make you think that you were listening to real snooker, well with the exception of the commentary which is slightly disappointing due to the lack of variety.
World Championship Snooker 2007 does have it’s flaw’s but to be fair there isn’t really that many, the controls make this a very easy game to pick up and play and the simplicity makes it fun for the whole family, Snooker has never been so much fun and I for one can’t wait to get back on my Xbox 360 and start practising.
