This is an English translation of the review of Biliardo 2 originally published in Italian by Encanta in 2002. Read the original review in Italian.
Biliardo 2: the magic of the green table on your PC
Green-table fanatics will be delighted, especially lovers of Italian billiards: they now have the chance to enjoy their favourite game for free while sitting comfortably at the computer, taking on a perfect billiards simulation! The game, completely free and within reach of anyone who wants to download it, is simply called Biliardo 2 (the second, improved version of the earlier “Biliardo”) and was developed by an Italian programmer, Marco Chiesi, on whose site you can find lots of little programs (and above all games) that are simple but decidedly interesting. Anyone who loves the noble sport of billiards absolutely cannot miss this game, astonishing in its completeness. The games available are the most popular ones in Italy and in other countries: 5 Pins, Goriziana, Bowls, Carom (standard, 1-cushion and 3-cushion) and 3 Balls. The game offers providential help for newcomers, providing complete documentation of the various games in case you don’t know the rules.
The game engine is particularly realistic: just consider that you can play any kind of shot (even parabolic ones) and you can even adjust the temperature of the playing table. The user interface is very easy to use and includes two settings (classic and pub). As well as for its immediacy, the game stands out for its many options: you can turn on practice mode, watch the replay and undo the last shot played. The statistics section is rich, letting you dissect your matches down to the smallest detail; the sound effects and background music are excellent and engaging. What strikes you most about this game is the care that went into its design: billiards is the game of precision and calm par excellence, perhaps second only to chess. Perfect realism is an essential ingredient in recreating the perfect mechanics of the real-life game: well, Biliardo 2 overlooks no detail, letting you set the strength of the shot, the spin and the point where you strike the ball with the utmost precision.
Hurry and download this beautiful simulation, and have fun feeling a bit like Paul Newman!
Alberto Mori – 16 September 2002