25-Jun-2004 Whether you're enchanted by JK Rowling's omnipresent creation or entertain visions of shoving the teenage wizard's wand where the sun don't shine, there's no avoiding the fact that EA is squeezing Harry Potter games out faster than poop on a prune diet.
In keeping with the third book and upcoming film, this latest movie tie-in sports a bleaker edge than before. Gone are the twee graphics and kiddy-pleasing gameplay in favour of something that looks darker and plays deeper.
While the action's still split in two, with players learning new tricks during lesson time then heading off for some more plot-based arcade hi-jinx at night, Azkaban takes its cue from the Zelda series to add beef to its bones.
You control Hermione, Ron and Harry through the frequent dungeon crawls - each has unique abilities, forcing you to think laterally and switch between them to progress. Unlike previous Potters, it's the variety of challenges that stops it feeling formulaic. In the first ten minutes, you'll drag Harry from the clutches of a Dementor, fight off a marauding spell book, pilot an owl through the university rafters and sneak past Snape in a simplistic but engaging stealth-a-thon.
Throw in the PS2-specific EyeToy bonus games, including lung-straining ghost-busting and bizarre window washing, and you've a surprisingly enjoyable package. Lack of originality and Potter stigma will turn some off but fans will lap it up.
Derivative but fun and the EyeToy support is a great bonus. Won't win over Harry-haters but fans will be willy, er, wand-waving into the wee small hours.
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