Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Review - Keri Stevens mounts her broomstick to review Potter's Game Boy debut...

EA must have been rubbing their collective paws with glee at bagging the lucrative Harry Potter games license, and they’ve taken advantage of it with the release of the first game (six more are planned, apparently) across a number of platforms. Game Boy Advance included. This game in particular sees you in the role of Monsieur Potter himself, as you explore Hogwarts castle, the grounds and the forbidden forest in a playable remake of the film.

What’s striking however, is that far from the cynical cash-in we were expecting, EA seem to have a created quite an original game; finally a new title for the GBA that isn't a lame SNES remake. Good start! It’s really rather fun too, those who have read the books may particularly enjoy it as it contains elements and magical creatures not found in the first film or book; such as the irritating biting gnomes (not the blue ones though, that was a bit unimaginative). EA seem to have stuck pretty closely to J. K Rowling’s original descriptions throughout, which should please Harry’s numerous fans, though some felt the interpretation of the castle itself didn't adhere to the picture they had conjured up in their own imagination. I like it though, very public school.

The GBA graphics are excellent, among the best I've seen on the fledgling hand-held so far - the landscape is imaginative, richly coloured and textured, and there’s some nice details to it, such as Harry's (and the other Hogwarts students) cloaks fluttering as they walk, and the shadow effects are particularly pleasing – no garish off-pink 2d facial colourings here. The animation is up to scratch too; with even the picture book-style dialogues looking great.