Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review

Anannya Sen’s Review

The latest Harry Potter Instalment

Seeing as how I am one of the few people who haven't read the books, I guess my knowledge of Harry Potter comes from what people have told me (which isn't much as it's not a subject I enjoy discussing) or catching part of the odd film that's been on TV. So I can't say for certain how accurate Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is when compared to the book or movie. I am guessing it's more accurate for the latter rather than the former.

But I do know games, so feel qualified enough to tell you how this plays. And in my esteemed journalistic opinion which is rivalled only by my eloquence, I feel one word sums up this game. Meh. For those unfamiliar with this new vernacular, the word means a glib shrug of the shoulders and slight tilting of the head. And mayhaps it's best to vocalise the pronounciation with a hint of a French accent as they definitely do it best.

What I'm getting at is that the game looks great, sounds nice and plays pretty average really. It's clearly aimed at a younger market although the overhead 2D graphics are very nicely done. There's plenty of detail in the still pics and enough zip in the animation to warrant admiring glances. Sound isn't bad either, although my menu tune looped once then hung and only sorted itself out when I played the game. In the game there are the odd musical tunes and sound effects depending on what you are doing.

Which is generally as you're told. And therein lies the problem. As you help Harry along with his adventures, you can't really put a foot wrong. Following the disappearing footsteps will always take you to where you want to go, and if you were unsure of the right person to talk to a great big whopping exclamation mark over their head should give you a clue. Once you talk to them, you generally have to go and find things, which is never hard as again, you have the footsteps to follow. Most things can be found very easily, but some require a bit of effort in your part, such as a duel or moving things around with your spells.

Speaking of spells, Harry has a fair few at his disposal, but you generally only use them when required in the game. You can levitate and mend statues, but where's the fun in that? So along you plod, pressing the main button to cast the spells required and following these footsteps. There are some mini games though. One is a card game, which is basically Snap! and also you can play a variation which is a memory game. Then there is Gobstones which is a number of different mini games from conkers, to bowls to bowls with a hole. You'll get the drift when playing.

Finally there is the only decent mini game imho which is the Duel. You have to run around zapping your opponent while trying not to get zapped yourself. Later on you can press 7 to shield yourself temporarily. The longer you hold down the button for, the more powerful your offensive spell becomes. It's quite cool and you get to fight against the villainous characters as part of the game.

At the end of each chapter you have a score based on how you did, as well as any extraneous games of snap, gobstones or duels you have. Then onto the next chapter, but they really don't take too long to complete. I think the most I have spent on one so far is 10 minutes. There are 7 chapters so you do the math(s). The game does try to vary things sometimes with some parts having a time limit but it's pretty simple to get through.

If you love Harry Potter or are one of our younger readers, then check this game out, you will no doubt enjoy it. But after a few hours you will have finished it and realised that my wizened opinion was more a prophecy of truth than you thought and the lack of freedom makes it far less than great.