A pool game that ignores the rules
Pool Panic is billed as the world's least realistic pool simulator. You play as a mischievous, oblivious cue ball moving through a colorful cartoon overworld with more than 100 levels, and every level has an 8-ball hiding somewhere rather than sitting still waiting to be potted. The world spans jungles, deserts, gardens, cities, the carnival, the woods and more, and each area mixes in oddball activities: riding a Ferris wheel, playing nine holes of mini-golf with a pool cue, fleeing a contagious zombie horde, skiing and mountain climbing, hunting boy scouts in the woods and stealing their hats. Some balls run away from you, toothy balls can unleash stomp attacks if you hit them at the wrong moment, and bosses plus a motorcycle gang chase show up along the way. The central tower unlocks higher levels as you travel the world, and something waits at the top.
Playing together
Local co-op is available from the pause menu on the world map, and it drops extra cue balls into Story mode. Two players gives you a smoother run, four turns it into absolute chaos. The update lists things worth doing together: smashing a JCB, halting a wedding, skiing as a weird combined omniball, and Panic Mode once you have opened it up. There are also VS rounds for the group, including the original lineup plus motorcycling mayhem and last ball standing with melting candles. The game supports up to four players in local multiplayer, and Remote Play Together is listed as a Steam feature.
Before you start
Each player can turn on Magnetic Hole Assist from the Control Settings screen, which pulls rolling balls toward the holes. It lowers the need for shot accuracy, works well for younger players, and also suits a more casual arcade run through the levels. The store notes that Pool Panic plays best with a controller. Expect a puzzle-leaning, surreal take on billiards with plenty of action and humor rather than a simulation of real pool.