The problem with making games that involve "other games" (pool, pinball, darts, etc.) is that one, it needs to bring something to the table so that the player doesn't actually go to their local billiards hall and do it in real life. And two, that the action and control schematic are friendly and engaging so that the challenge is still there, and that it doesn't frustrate you into having a migraine.  

On paper, Hustle actually sounds like it could be a cool game. Take the shady underworld of pool hustling, wrap it around a sort of storyline mode and then make good on the action. But Activision Value has taken this unique tilt on the pool world and dropped it on the ground, kicked it around for five minutes and then threw it out of the house. Yup, as you can see by my score, Hustle just isn't much fun. Which is totally sad because I had a preconceived notion that this would be similar to one of my favorite Dreamcast titles, Speed Devils. Both games use a gambling schematic to increase the pressure and put a bit of a spin on what would normally be a bland game. Well, Speed Devils succeeded and Hustle did not. And the biggest flaws are the controls and load times.

Having played "Real Pool" for the PS2 years ago, I would have thought that making a pool game's control would be a snap. But instead of using any rational controls, Hustle instead has you holding down the trigger and the triangle button just to activate one of the many tools a pool player uses. The power bar for how hard you hit the ball has a slight delay (it moves up and down) on it so you need to learn to compensate for it (I know that the speed is tied in with the confidence meter, but still the delay exists) and the games arrows (tells you where the ball is going to go) is achingly inaccurate. I don't know, maybe I'm being too hard, but I only report what I discover on my own. The simple fact is that this game has an unfriendly interface and darn it if that doesn't tick me off. Because...

Because the game looks great! It never ceases to amaze me when a publisher makes a game that looks really nice but plays for garbage. It's the ultimate insult. In Hustle, the character models look spicy, as do the locales. It's a seedy underworld this game takes place in and the visuals do a fine job of reminding you that you are playing in a place that could ultimately be your doom. In fact, the intro mini-movie shows several violent acts happening, including a drive-by shooting. Not that I was excited about that fact, but it pushed me in a direction that the developers wanted me to be in, that of a dangerous world of hustlers and gangsters. 

The game's second major flaw is the lag time that is evident in everything that you do. Most notably, when you line up a shot and put the appropriate english on it and the power bar is hit at the right strength the game pauses, loads the cutscene of you shooting and then after several seconds, it plays. The whole thing just feels cheap, and I found myself getting really aggravated by the whole thing.

 
As your opponent takes his shot, feel free to go get a drink, read a magazine, re-shingle the roof...

Now as you do play, you walk into the various locations picking games against the locals who play there. Money is a big part of the game and your bankroll starts at a measly $300.00. Beating the locals will both improve your bankroll and your respect standing as does hitting those harder shots. The game shows that your table is surrounded by other players who heckle and laugh (or clap) at you. Remember, you're on their turf and they are pretty much rooting against you. As you play, your experience and notoriety grows and you will find yourself going up against some pretty good pool sharks. The games also change and include both 8 and 9-ball as well as challenges to do trick shots. Not always do things work out.

Using the ad-hoc function I was also able to play a little pool against my neighbor who also has a PSP. He's a pretty cool guy who knows that I do reviews and tries to buy the games I have so we can play. Well, I'm sorry that you had to buy this one Davey, real sorry.

Now it's important to note that the game has some little things going for it (besides the graphics);  the music, for one, can be a hindrance or a pleasure since it's a pretty hard-rock soundtrack. Which, of course, is like anything - you either enjoy it or you don't. I thought it was pretty decent but even I found myself turning down the volume after a while as it does get a bit old. Next, you can pause the game and actually work with a character on those hard shots, including practicing them before going back to the game. The game has two gauges for your character that reflect both intimidation and intuition. Getting your character to sink some shots right out of the gate will improve both of your bars.  

Gameplay: 5.5
Ouch, I found the game's controls to be unfriendly and unnecessary. I asked myself a couple of times if this should be this difficult. My answer was "no" everytime.

Graphics: 7.1
Looks good, characters may walk around a bit clumsy or through each other, but the game does a good job of visualizing pool halls and seedy environments. Horrible, horrible load times though.

Sound: 7.0
The voice work is pretty good, the rock music was decent, the crack of the balls was the best. Nothing like a good hard "CRACK!"

Difficulty: Med/Hard
You may do well rolling those schlubs in the beginning, but beating a real-deal pool shark is something entirely different.

Concept: 7.0
The hustle is not there. At least not in the traditional sense. There's more hustle in the game "The Con" for the PSP then this one. This is more like a straight-up challenge. But the idea was solid.

Multiplayer: 6.4
Load times come into play even more so when playing against another real person.

Overall: 6.1
What should have been a lot of fun, simply is a blasé experience. The graphics look good and the little mini-games can be cool, but the control simply is infuriating to the point that instead of onward and upward, this title is more outward and downward.