Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Review

[Ayen]

Harry Potter. Does this even need an introduction? Harry Potter is a book series about a young boy wizard written by author J.K. Rowling and the first book was published back in 1997 in the UK before being brought over to America one year later. It would soon be followed up by sequels and its very own Movie Franchise by the WB in 2001 and has since integrated itself into our culture. Naturally with the growing success of the series it would try to hit off in other mediums. Video games. Which brings us back to 2001 for the PlayStation release of:

The first in a long line of video games based on the Harry Potter series would be published by EA Games, the PlayStation port of which developed by Argonaut. The plot? Well everybody knows the plot. Once upon a time there was this really bad dude who did bad things to good people.

Lord Voldemort
I'm going to kill you now.

Lily Potter
NO!

Harry Potter
Momma!

Lord Voldemort
I'M MELTING!

In his attempt to kill Harry Potter as a one year old baby something happened, something that nobody knows, and Harry Potter got out of the incident with nothing but a scar (why is it lighting shaped?) and Lord Voldemort was no more. With his parents dead Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, took the young Harry Potter to live with his remaining non-magical (otherwise known as Muggle) family.

Professor McGongall
Dumbledore, why are you leaving him with these people?

Albus Dumbledore
Because they are the only family he has.

Professor McGongall
But they're douchebags. Mark my words they'll have him living in the cupboard under their stairs!

Albus Dumbledore
Oh, don't be silly.

Eleven years down the line Harry Potter is miserable, go figure, but that all changes when he gets his invite to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry but since his Aunt and Uncle tries to fight him on it they have to send Big Foot to get the kid.

Hagrid
You're a Wizard, Harry!

Harry Potter
Will I get to pull a bunny out of a hat?

Hagrid
No.

Harry Potter
Saw a lady in half?

Hagrid
No.

Harry Potter
Make my Aunt and Uncle disappear?

Hagrid
No.

Harry Potter
Do I get a wand?

Hagrid
Yes.

Harry Potter
Woohoo!

So he goes off to Hogwarts, get sorted into Gryffindor house and we begin the game!

You won't be able to do everything at the beginning but in order to cast a spell press the X button. To charge up spells hold down on the X button and then release when it's charged up. You can open up doors and talk to people with the Square button, something you'll never forget because the game always remind you of it whenever you approach a door...

The Triangle plus directional buttons allow Harry to look around and the R2/L2 buttons move the camera around. While casting spells with X you can also use R1 to lock onto a target, and unlike Mega Man Legends, you can move around while targeting a single enemy. When Harry Potter is on a broom you use the directional buttons to steer while holding down X to accelerate.

None of the actors from the movie reprise their role in this game but some of the voices they do get does a pretty good job at impersonating them. Namely Harry, Ron, Neville and Snape. I couldn't hear the difference much when I was a kid. The game does a good job of making the characters look like the actors from the film and even incorporates things from the books that were left out of the movies like Peeves. Although, Hermione Granger's hair is so bright it looks blond. You know what? I think that is blond! Yeah, because you all remember how J. K. Rowling described her in the book with locks of blond hair, or how for the movies Emma Watson had to dye her hair blond. No? Of course not. Because her hair is brown!

The various mini-games found in the game can go from fun to annoying depending on your preference. Flying is basically Harry Potter going through rings (I'm having Superman 64 flashbacks), a race the clock challenge to get to class, pressing the buttons on the controller the Professor points to during class, a shooting range (what?) oh and for a boss battle we have Draco Malfoy throwing firecrackers at you. I'm not even kidding. Yes they're given the label of “Wizard Crackers” but bottom line is, Malfoy is trying to kill you with firecrackers! Why be sly, cunning and manipulative, when you can blow up your rival in broad daylight!?

In closing, if you're a huge fan of Harry Potter then chances are you'll enjoy this game. ToriJ, signing off.

Overall rating: 7/10

[Aminee Starlight]

Spent more time on the introduction and jokes than reviewing the actual game. Not your best work. Felt rushed too.

[Tenjou, Utena]

Harry Potter!

I thought the review was good ^.^

[Kragen]

Death by magic firecracker.

[DC Comics]

His scar is lighting shaped because Voldemort is an artist!

On a more serious note though, I can't remember if they ever explained why it took that shape or if it was just wrote off as MAGIC! It's been ages since I read any of the books.