Wii Game Review - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

» By Nothing2Say | the 12-05-2009 at 18:59 | 43 views (25 unique) | 1 comment | Report post!

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The latest Harry Potter movie, based on the book, is where things start to become deadly serious for the gang. Amid the Quidditch celebrations and gawky love triangles there’s the smell of blood in the air bringing a chill to the spine. But hey, this is only a videogame, and a Wii escapade at that, so we only want to know about the fun parts right? Electronic Arts knows this, of course, but is obliged to reference scenes as depicted in the film – so if you haven’t read the book or / and seen the flick, the game might spoil things for you just a little bit.

Since this is the Wii, and with EA now dedicated to bringing Wii-exclusive ‘experiences’ our way, the game is very much a hands-on with the Harry Potter universe type affair. Before your feet even touch the ground you’re whisked away on Ron Weasley’s ‘Cleansweep Eleven’ for a spot of Quidditch practice: aim for the coloured hoops to stay in pursuit of the Golden Snitch. Potion brewing soon follows, a mini-game involving lots of lifting, dropping, tipping and shaking of the remote-nunchuck controllers. Then within minutes of getting to grips with all that there’s some duelling practice to eat up a lunch hour, again with much prodding and criss-crossing of devices to conjure attack and defence spells.
It’s all so neatly arranged that even Snape would be forced to approve through gritted teeth, though Dumbledore would have cause for concern at the hit and miss nature of his prize student’s endeavours. Although Harry has the freedom of Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and several more iconic locations, his interaction with them all is mostly limited to way-finding and collecting Hogwarts crests, which in turn unlock additional duelling modes etc. If he happens to get lost, players can summon Nearly Headless Nick to be the tour guide.

EA has created a fairly breathtaking vision of Harry Potter’s world here. Hogwarts, surrounded by rolling countryside, is spectacular. The haunted staircases all move, and students mill about the place giving a sense of activity. When you’re locked into one scenario, whether it’s Quidditch, Potions, or Duelling, a quick glance around reveals satisfying attention to detail. This is all fine in small doses, interspersed by passable cut-scenes with voice-acting by the original cast for the teenagers.

Failure to get the fundamentals right keeps Harry Potter in detention this time around. Simple gestures such as Wingardium Leviosa to raise objects misfired for us at least seven times out of 10, while aiming objects at targets is also clumsy. In duelling you need only master Expelliarmus to knock a rival onto their backside then let loose with rapid-fire spells to weaken them on the ground. Potions are more of a challenge, and less predictable, but even these will have you rolling your eyes after extended play.

We have to say fair play to EA for such a polished presentation, delivered with such care. Apparently not even J.K. has much of a clue how Quidditch would really pan out, it’s just a spectacle for the books and now the movies. And so just as it’ll be a while before LucasArts delivers a proper light-sabre duel on console, a game of Quidditch could be far, far away. Stripped of the drama, the action most desired by young Harry Potter fans is spell-casting. And here EA trips over its own school gown.

Does what it says on the box with great visual flair but sadly as manoeuvrable as Ron’s old Shooting Star.

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InsaneStar
the 12-05-2009 at 19:05

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I have the Quidditch game for the PS2 and it's not too bad, it's good if you want something quick to pick up and play.

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