That said, we didn't need long to recognise the transition the series has made. Potter games of the past may have been sneered upon as money-sapping tie-ins by the more critical gamer, but there's a notable difference in this title. Just like in the films, the universe has grown up. The playfulness and naivety of the characters is long gone, and there's an air of business about our cast.
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| Harry's toothpick was a little OTT... |
As we weren't allowed to see any spoilers from the upcoming film, there were limits to what we could experience in EA Bright Light's early showing of this tie-in. We entered the game at around the mid-way point, taking control of Harry on his quest to eliminate the threat of rival wizards. The level itself was hugely uninspired, as Bright Light could only show off a generic location that wouldn't ruin the full release. Simply put, we were running round a construction yard, trying to hunt down our foes.
Genericism aside, Harry's world is a gorgeous one. Even in this drab location, we found ourselves engulfed in bountiful visual feasts; something that bodes well for the more interesting locations in the film. With the camera tight behind Harry's back, you're thrown closer to the action than ever before, and can feel the leading wizard's winces when he comes under attack. This viewpoint also provides an ample platform to unleash a devastating offence towards those who stand in your way.
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| Enemies are more ruthless than ever, and love to don gimp outfits |
As the action is a key element of the game, it's little wonder there's an air of FPS about it. Harry can learn new attacks as progress is made, and it must be said, they're a delight to watch on screen. A vibrant blast of fire can send rivals to the floor, or you can opt for one of the more untraditional attacks, such as slapping them with confusion. Our favourite spell was 'Upthearseymus,' where Harry uses his corporate truncheon to penetrate fans' wallets for two games from one book (Although, we have the films to blame for that). If it all gets too much, hop under an invisibility cloak and take cover while your health replenishes. Right now, bringing up a menu to change spell types is a little clumpy, and we'd like to see it implemented so that the action doesn't have to stop. Whatever the method, the screen becomes hectic pretty quickly, as the developers reward a quick-trigger finger and sharp accuracy. Don't expect an easy time of it either; your enemies won't let up with the onslaught, and can inflict real damage in numbers.
There's undoubtedly a lot to get right in a Harry Potter game. Maturing alongside the films is obvious; but the subtlety of this transition is impressive in the game. You're quickly surrounded in the darkness of shadows, and there's an edge to the series that hasn't been apparent before. In real world terms, it's like when Emma Watson chopped her hair off, as we're glad to see a transformation from child to adult. Black Light have undoubtedly worked hard on drilling this home to players, as this is the grittiest, toughest, and certainly most intriguing Harry Potter game yet.
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| "This is where I lean." |
Although we didn't manage to experience the game's compatibility with Kinect, all the signs are here that this will sidestep admirably. Controlling Harry is simple at the toughest of times, so we're sure it'll be a hit on Kinect. Hell, in the level we played, Harry was decked out in a bland burgundy jumper and jeans; something Kinect fans may want to replicate with a trip to Primark. We suggest this because our plans to mimic Daniel Radcliffe's naked stint on stage in front of Microsoft's motion sensing cameras have been squashed by the limits of technology (plus, we don't have any curtains in the office).
With a few weeks to go before its release, Harry Potter fans should be excitedly donning their cloaks. Harry looks to be in the best form of his life, and if we're lucky, may overcome the game to film tie-in tag of 'obviously going to be rubbish.' Whether you love Hogwarts or not, we think there's going to be a decent adventure for all in this one, as Blacklight have taken care transforming the beginning of the end in virtual form. We expect to see a number of tweaks over the coming weeks, and this one landing in shops like Vanessa Feltz falling off her Quidditch stick.
