Yoostar 2

The original Yoostar launched a year ago, giving PC users the chance to pop into the scenes of their favorite flicks and act their hearts out. The sequel is aimed at potentially bigger audience, with Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version created to support Kinect and the PlayStation Eye camera, respectively. We got a chance to test out an early version in our offices, and while we aren't about to win any acting awards, we can say it was an honor to simply play the game.

We tested out a few scenes via Yoostar 2's quick play option. There, players choose a scene, get in front of the camera and follow the lines on a teleprompter. At the end of the scene, you see the footage and see how you stack up. If you trip over your lines or speak too soon or too late, you get docked. On the other hand, if you nail the big lines in a scene (such as Arnold's "I'll be Back," from The Terminator), you'll score bonus points. Unlike some other movie games we've played over the years, Yoostar 2's scoring system makes it feel more like a game than just an exercise to promote embarrassment.

There's a deeper challenge mode that eases players into the game, teaching everything from how to set up your backdrop to how to perform a longer scene. The more familiar you are with the material, the better the results. In most of our efforts it was clear that we were reading from virtual cue cards, and our performances were slightly stinky as a result. In scenes we knew by heart, however, we were able to focus more on delivery and emoting than the lines, and they were a lot more fun as a result. The game will ship with a few dozen scenes and plans are in place to support DLC once the game launches.

Setup between the Move and Kinect versions was slightly different, and it highlighted the very real differences between the two competing devices. The PS3 version took a snapshot of the empty "set," and then mapped the differences when players stepped into the frame. Before each scene, players would have to recalibrate, a process that took a few seconds. It wasn't a deal-breaker, but it changed the flow of the game. Kinect's cameras are able to track users a bit more effectively, so no such calibration was necessary after the initial setup. At the same time, the masking was a bit rougher on the Kinect version as compared to the PlayStation Eye, giving on-screen players a rougher cut-out look on the 360. Yoostar's director of product development Shawn Rosen says that the game is still early in development and that the goal is to have both versions look the same when it ships.

If you're a Serious Person who doesn't like to enjoy himself, this is probably the kind of game that will cause you physical pain. It's simple and completely silly. If you're the type who just wants to kick back with some friends, drink a few beverages, and have a good time, Yoostar 2 is shaping up to be a nice alternative to hopping around on make-believe rafts or petting invisible animals.