Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
What's this with games becoming darker and darker? Prince of Persia started out
with a "T" rating and the second game was so dark it was rated "M". Harry Potter
and the Chamber of Secrets, the first game, was a wonderful adventure where with
Harry your found out about Hogwarts and magic. Harry Potter and the Goblet of
Fire which follows the movie and I presume book is a very dark game and much of it
feels like work. What next -- an "M" rated Potter?
But I know those HP camp followers. If there is a game -- they will play it. There are 11
different level and you can play them either as Harry, Hermione or Ron. This is a
cooperative game and by playing with friends your strength and impact on the monsters
is greatly increased. No friends to share the game with? The computer will be your friend
but in this case real people are faster on the uptake. Nice thing -- players can bop in or out
of the game at any time -- just take back your controller. In the game, much of your time
is spent searching for things like cards, mini-shields, and shields and casting spells to
help with moving stuff around and fighting monsters. You do get to play Quiditch and
learn more about the dark arts.
The story and pace follows the movie. Harry is Chosen by Goblet, unfairly so, to enter
the Triwizard Tournament, which already warns you that there something sinister afoot.
The Triwizard Tournament is serious stuff, Harry has to get a golden egg guarded by a
ferocious Hungarian horned dragon; rescue Ron from the depths of the Black Lake while
encountering the fierce Grindylows; and to finish, race through a maze and be the first to
reach the Triwizard cup. And does he get to meet Voldemort? Finally!
I must admit that I enjoyed the earlier Potter games more. I liked wandering about
Hogwarts, getting lost, finding places. In this game there is no wandering like that. Also
the threesome look like teenagers in any action adventure game. Yes, I know it's
following the book but I liked young Harry running about with his gown fluttering behind
him. BTW for those who are not up on the Harry Potter mythos, it helps to have a
strategy guide to refresh you HP IQ.
Reviewed by: Editor - 12/05
Ages: Everyone 10+