Pool of Madness brings roguelike billiards to Steam today

Billiards with a horror twist

Pool of Madness, a new roguelike game built around billiards, launches on Steam on 13 November. According to Notebookcheck, the game takes the structure popularised by Balatro and applies it to pool, adding Lovecraft-inspired horror on top.

In the game, matches of billiards become rituals for dark powers. Players still strike the cue ball, and each round requires them to pocket a set number of target balls. Striking one of the red balls drains the player's sanity, and when that runs out, the run ends.

Upgrades, explosions and a shotgun

As in Balatro, unusual effects and upgrades change how each round plays. Not every effect helps, though: Notebookcheck notes that dead fish can appear on the table in the demo, and a shotgun deals with them, although ammunition is limited.

Both the shotgun and the cue can be improved with roguelike-style upgrades that persist between runs. Given the game's cosmic-horror setting, populated by creatures from a nightmarish realm, the sources suggest more threats may be waiting beyond what the demo shows.

What early impressions say

He also noted that the opening can be confusing, with some effects not explained clearly enough.

These impressions come from the demo, so how the full game plays remains to be seen. Early Access should give a clearer picture as development continues.

Release plans and what comes next

Pool of Madness enters Early Access on Steam on 13 November at 7 PM. Notebookcheck reports that the Early Access phase is expected to run for roughly a year.

The developers are targeting a full release in the third quarter of 2027. Until then, the scope and balance of the game may still change as players get access.