New game is like Balatro, but with billiards and Lovecraftian horror – out today on Steam

In Pool of Madness, games of billiards become rituals for dark powers, leaving little of the traditional sport intact. At least one thing remains familiar: players still strike the cue ball. The aim is to pocket a certain number of target balls each round. Hitting one of the red balls, however, drains the player's sanity – and once that runs out, the run is over. PC Gamer has tried the demo and came away largely impressed.

Much like Balatro, the game mixes up its core mechanics with upgrades and unusual effects. Players can make balls explode, for example, or stop the cue ball at the press of a button. Of course, not every effect works in their favor. In the demo, dead fish even end up on the table. The hands-on report doesn't explain why. A shotgun makes short work of them, but ammunition is limited. What else players might have to use their shotgun against remains unclear. Given the game's Lovecraftian setting, populated by creatures from a nightmarish cosmic realm, there are likely more horrors waiting in the wings. Both the shotgun and the cue can be upgraded, with roguelike-style improvements that persist between runs.

PC Gamer writer Robin Valentine praised the unusual concept and the tactical possibilities offered by the upgrades. However, he also found the opening somewhat confusing, with some effects not explained clearly enough. There's still plenty we don't know about how Pool of Madness plays, but Early Access should soon provide a clearer picture. The game launches on November 13 at 7 PM, with the Early Access period expected to last around a year. The developers are aiming for a full release in the third quarter of 2027.

The following trailer offers a first look at the gameplay: