We Cheer 2

Following the mildly successful cheer-captain simulation from 2008, We Cheer 2 offers up more of the same pop-infused tunes and choreographed dance routines. Reviewer Aaron Koehn was put off by its lackluster presentation and simplistic gameplay, but couldn't fault the game for appealing to its target demographic.

If you're reading this review in contemplation of purchasing We Cheer 2, it is for one of three reasons: 1) you're a young girl with aspirations of one day bringing all the boys to the yard via your milkshake, 2) you're a parent who believes their daughter would be interested in learning how to bring all the boys to the yard (via milkshake), or 3) you're an idiot with a ton of time on your hands. Listen, I'm not a cheerleader, I've never been a cheerleader, and I'm fairly confident I will never be a cheerleader (the only reason the boys have ever come to my yard is to beat me). However, I understand that if it is your intent to learn the trade of cheerleading through this title, you should know that We Cheer 2 isn't going to make you the next (insert random famous cheerleader here), or even (insert second most famous cheerleader here). It is only gonna make you wish you had your forty dollars back.

The biggest problem with this cheer trainer is that it is way too simple. I recognize that petitioning for applause through the spelling of various inspirational words, or by notifying the home team that it is important to be aggressive, be, be aggressive is not rocket surgery. However, this game reduces the age old vocation to nothing more than wildly waving your arms around.

We Cheer 2

Some might argue that I'm giving the trade too much credit, and that the merits of the game should be what's under scrutiny and not how closely it emulates the actual skill. To them I would answer, the game doesn't stand up much better, and for the exact same reasons. This title is so uncomplicated, the gameplay so uninspired, that players will quickly grow tired of it regardless of their affinity for the subject. Basically, the game will ask a player to mimic the arm movements of an on-screen cheerleader, and then it awards points for how closely he or she was able to emulate said cheerleader. And that is We Cheer 2. The game further implores you to get up and move your entire body to the routines, but it only details and then scores you based on those arm movements, so this reviewer was perfectly content leading his squad to the Cheetah Girls' "So Bring It On" while sitting on his couch. Also, you'd think that a game which simply had to follow the action of a troop of minimally-detailed cheerleaders on a stage could probably boast some decent graphics. Unfortunately, the aesthetics are horrible -- muddy textures and chunky environments abound.

We Cheer 2

That being said, the music for this game is well tailored for its audience, and many of the routines are performed to notable pop hits, all of which translate well into the leading of cheers. Regrettably, the in-between level music sounds more like songs you would hear during a late-night infomercial trying to get you to buy a time-share, so you take some bad with the good. Additionally, the game captures a feel that most young girls would appreciate, and it is filled with unlockable content and customization that evokes cute and dainty thoughts. It's just that in the end there are games available for young girls that are much better, and so even with subject matter that is very appealing to that demographic, it doesn't stack up.

PROS: Actual licensed music attempts to get you off the couch; if you're into pink, you're into this game
CONS: It's like playing Simon Says with a Simon that never attempts to fool you and is really into teeny-bop pop; if the graphics were a person, her ugliness would prevent her from making the squad; controls aren't precise enough

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