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Platform: Xbox
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Score: 7.5 / 10 |
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Pros: - Three-person co-op mode elevates average action game to a new level of shared fun - Better than the “usual” (a.k.a. awful) movie-licensed game - Fans (young) of the books and films will enjoy playing through the story that follows in the steps of its source material - A more “realistic” character design |
Cons: - Not much challenge for gamers over 15 years old - Camera can be problematic, especially in co-op games, when players dragging behind the others can get “stuck” - Won’t take too long to complete (about seven hours) - Most enemies (fire-spouting, gecko-like beasts and massive insect-type creatures) aren’t too scary nor are they too hard to beat
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Related Links: Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (XB) Review: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (XB) |
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"...wizard-wannabes under the age of 15 will be infatuated." |
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J.K. Rowland’s Harry Potter books have been a cultural phenomenon since the beginning of their appearance on bookshelves. Millions of copies of the series, now in its sixth volume, have been sold, and each has found a lofty perch on the bestseller lists. The movies based on the magical realm of the young wizard Harry Potter have been just as popular, easily generating in the hundreds of millions at the box office each. Not quite as popular have been the Harry Potter videogames from Electronic Arts, and after playing the latest Potter game, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it’s easy to see why. The game is much better than the usual (a.k.a. awful) movie-licensed game, and has a surprisingly good co-op mode. But the enchanted charm of the Potter books and movies just isn’t present in an average action game that ends way too quickly and is much too easy for anybody but the youngest of gamers.
In
the fifth Harry Potter game from EA, you’ll follow the same plot as
the book and movie. Harry finds himself selected to compete in the
Triwizard Tournament. All four young wizards in the tourney have to
square off against a fire-breathing dragon, dive into the icy You
can play as Harry, Ron and Hermione or all three in the very good co-op
mode if you have two friends or family willing to partake in some Harry
Potter gaming. The majority of the game will have the three wizards
making their way through various levels of danger and under threat from
bizarre creatures. There are too many waves of big fire-spouting
gecko-type creatures or huge insects that aren’t frightening or
challenging to defeat. They’re just a nuisance. Harry Potter and the
Goblet of Fire conjured up a basic action game spell for its gameplay:
start at the beginning, collect various items and power-ups along the
journey, and make your way to the end of the level. |
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There
are a lot of varied levels with swamps, ancient castles and even a final
culminating battle in an eerie cemetery. But the gameplay remains fairly
repetitively constant throughout. However, having the three characters
on the screen working in unison (whether with three-player co-op or a
single-player adventure, where the two other characters are controlled
by the game’s A.I.) really brings a fresh, new aspect to the gameplay.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the first Potter title to use
co-op play, and it’s a very welcome addition, although at times,
because three players are on-screen at once, characters dragging behind
can get “stuck” until the players further along double back. |
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Almost every puzzle or obstacle that needs to be overcome requires all three characters to interact (there are many parts of the game that become just Harry-oriented). Rusty old gates need Harry, Ron and Hermione to each use their combined magical powers to pull down the gate. Huge boulders must be lifted by all three. Fire must be doused by all three. The need of having all three characters cooperating to complete the game really elevates Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire beyond the mundane, even though without three human-controlled players in the game, the A.I-controlled characters frustratingly don’t always interact smartly in each situation, putting themselves and you in harm’s way.
Using
your magic with a casting system, you’ll literally feel (with a
rumbling controller) your magic spells at work. The only way to get to
the next stage and vanquish all enemies is by using a character’s
magic wand and all the power it possesses. Using magic provides a nice
visual touch, because Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire implements
exceptional neon-enhanced particle effects for the magic that pumps from
each wizard’s wand.
The jelly beans that serve as your health power-ups also receive a
healthy dose of bright coloring. Each of the levels incorporates better
graphics than might be expected, including the new “realistic”
character models. You won’t be overly impressed with the game’s
visuals as a whole, but they certainly are more than satisfactory,
particularly for a game focused towards young gamers. But
that kid-friendly focus may have gone a bit too far, because Harry
Potter and the Goblet of Fire is devoid of a taxing challenge level.
This game may be too easy for all but the youngest of gamers. On top of
that, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a too-quick gaming
adventure that can be completed within seven hours or so. While
not many who aren’t a fan of all things Harry Potter will find a
reason to play Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,
wizard-wannabes under the age of 15 will be infatuated. A sharp, visual
style and a great co-op mode that overcomes the average action gameplay
provide a wonderfully wizardly good time despite a too-short and
too-easy escapade. -
Lee Cieniawa (January 13, 2006)
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