Ultrapool turns pool into chaotic roguelike

Ultrapool was developed by two-person indie studio Icedrop Games and published by offbrand. The game is now available for PC and mobile devices, with downloads offered through the Google Play Store and the App Store.

Players pocket balls to earn score, which serves as in-run currency at an in-game bar used to buy and upgrade additional balls. Each ball carries a distinct effect that alters table play. Examples include a ghost ball that returns after being pocketed, a chicken ball that produces spherical eggs, a bomb that detonates when struck too hard, and an Earth-themed ball.

Match strategy revolves around building a triangle of balls and arranging combinations that increase score. At the bar, players can request the bartender mix two balls to create hybrid effects that change how shots resolve. The primary objective presented in the game is to survive 10 rounds while expanding a collection of balls and pursuing higher-scoring trickshots.

Ultrapool applies progression elements common to roguelike and auto-battler designs: repeated runs, incremental upgrades, and short rounds that invite experimentation. Choices about which balls to buy and which upgrades to prioritize influence later rounds.

The game uses bright, colorful art and a playful visual style that highlights each ball’s effects. Developers say the ball effects and mixing mechanics are intended to encourage creative setup-building and chaotic trickshot opportunities rather than a strict simulation of pool physics.

The game’s structure treats score as both a performance metric and a spending resource, linking moment-to-moment play with longer-term collection and upgrade decisions. No developer quotes were provided with the release.