GameSpot editors' review
-
CNET editors' rating:
stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 01/03/2003
- Released on: 11/14/2002
- Originally published on GameSpot: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Game Boy Advance) Review
If you're familiar with the Harry Potter novels, you know that they're geared toward younger readers. Nevertheless, that doesn't prevent teenagers and adults alike from enjoying the whimsical stories contained in the quartet of books. The same is true of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for the Game Boy Advance. It's an adventure filled with action and puzzles. The story is based on the plot of the second book, in which a mysterious member of the Slytherin class unleashes a monster that aims to destroy all the students at Hogwarts School who are not of magical parentage. Unfortunately for Harry, he is included in this group.
Harry uses a spell to levitate a stone.
The progression of the game pretty much follows that of the book. You begin at Harry's home, visit Diagon Alley in order to procure school supplies, and then travel to Hogwarts School, where most of the action occurs. You'll also visit a number of locations that should be familiar if you've read the novels, such as Mulpepper's Apothecary and Hagrid's hut. Most of the events that occur in the book also occur in the game, including minor milestones such as learning spells or Quidditch matches. They're all much more drawn out, however, in that you'll often have to navigate a dungeon full of switches or gather a dozen different items before completing the assigned task.
On the one hand, it's good that you have to explore dungeons filled with puzzles and monsters in order to advance the story. These opportunities let you explore Harry's world, interact with the characters, and play with a half-dozen unique spells. At the same time, there are tons of secrets to uncover and hundreds of special items to collect, such as wizard cards and jelly beans. One of these secrets is a bonus area that you can access only by connecting the Game Boy Advance game to the GameCube game using the connectivity cable.
On the other hand, the number of dungeons is excessive, and the tasks you'll perform in them don't differ all that much. You'll levitate stones, dodge possessed statues, and usually battle a boss ghost at the end. The strategy for all these situations is the same, which tends to dampen your enthusiasm when the reward waiting at the exit is merely another spell, a map, or a few more jelly beans. There are definitely plenty of monsters to battle, and the puzzles certainly are clever enough, but the pace at which you acquire new spells and go through the story is a little too sluggish.
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Where to buy
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Game Boy Advance):
$9.06 - $13.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$9.06 | Yes |
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$13.99 | No |
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