LB's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Review

To be fair, it's more than possible my expectations for "Harry Potter" games are too high. Like most people, I adore the "Harry Potter" books. They have an ability to stir my imagination like nothing in the world has since I reached my pubescent years, so long ago. The world of Harry Potter is a world I so want to visit, which is why I thought video games based on the series would be a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, the series of games by EA have consistently been a disappointment. This not to say the "Harry Potter" games aren't fun, because they can be. Any world inspired by JK Rowling is going to be entertaining to explore. The problem is that Harry Potter fans, who are the people playing "Harry Potter" games, are going to play them and know they could have been so much more. However, with that being said, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is the best of EA's three "Harry Potter" games.

The story is the story we all know, if the story were to be broken up into just a few days. I feel secure in saying that if you didn't read the book nor see the film on which the video game is based, you'll find the story to be full of holes and unanswered questions. I can't imagine enjoying the game without knowing the story behind it.

Just like the book, Harry faces the impending arrival of Sirius Black, an escaped convict from the dreaded prison of Azkaban. Harry knows not what Sirius wants with him, but knows enough to be scared to pieces. It doesn't help that the Azkaban guards, the life-sucking and black-hooded Dementors, are hanging around Harry as they, too, know of Sirius' desires to search him out. Again, the video game version has many holes, but, even I have to admit, EA did a great job with the ending. In fact, the ending was really the only part of the game that felt like it came from the book.

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is set up like EA's two previous "Harry Potter" games. Harry and the gang are given a series of tasks to complete throughout the day, ranging from making their way through dungeons where new spells are the rewards, to collecting ingredients for certain potions. What is different in this latest incarnation is the ability to play as Ron, Hermione and Harry, instead of playing solely as the boy wonder. Each character has their own set of abilities and their own specific spells, making it, not only an option to play as the other teen wizards, but a necessity. This definitely adds to the game, and makes the in-game puzzles all the more challenging.

Where the primary gameplay and goals are superior in this latest "Harry Potter" game, the sidequests and extras rather blew. You are still collecting cards hidden in "secret areas" as you go, but there are fewer of them (40) and they are hard to miss. Before, finding them all was a challenge...that's no longer the case. Also, there are three "Mini-games" is this game, which are each quite laughable and pathetic. In one you race as Hedwig, Harry's owl, through a series of rings. The problem with this is, first, it's entirely too long, and second, no matter how good you get, the other owls will always pull in front of you in certain sections of the race. The point of that is beyond me.

Finally, I have read a few reviews which applaud the addition of allowing the characters to fly Buckbeak, Hagrid's Hippogryph. Truthfully, it's fine, but the Hippogryph flying seems to have replaced any and all Quidditch playing found in the other games. I don't consider that to be a fair trade. But, that's just me.

Play the game if you're a fan of the books and/or films, but play it with low expectations. Like the other games, it's on the short side, so, if you're getting this for a child, you should pass through it in one or two rental period.

-- Allison

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