Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Wii) Review
Harry Potter is a multi billion-dollar franchise that began as a little, unknown book and then blossomed into one of the biggest cult phenomena since Pokemon over a decade ago. The original series of seven books (the seventh to be released on the 21st of July) has spawned five movies, several more games and an array of merchandise that would make any parent quiver at the knees. In regard to the movies, a game has been released alongside each consecutive new release, from Sorcerers Stone to Goblet of Fire and finally, The Order of The Phoenix.
The Order of the Phoenix marks the fifth game based on the movies. It should be noted that these games are based off the movie and while including some content from the books, usually source their material from the two hours of visual pleasure. Publishers EA needed to go back to the drawing board after the dismal disaster that was Goblet of Fire and rethink the structure of their Potter games. What we fortunately end up with is a splendid realisation of Hogwarts and a game that while badly paced at times, is the most fun youll get out of nearly any Wii game available on the market.
If you have never garnered a read of the books or seen any of the movie trailers then the story is as such. Harry Potter, a wizard of fifteen years that defied and survived the Dark Lord Voldemort when he was a baby is attending his fifth year of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. This year will not be an ordinary year for young Harry and his friends. Voldemort is back, but the Ministry of Magic is not willing to confirm these vicious rumours. As tension builds between Dumbledore and the MOM they enlist the help of Dolores Umbridge, a very cruel woman whose mission in life is to make Harrys life harder than it already is. After she denies to teach them any defensive magic against the dark arts, Harry forms Dumbledores army who are central to the games and movies plot. In the movie everything comes together after a simple meeting, in the game though you are given the hefty task of finding all the DA members in a near GTA style way of doing so.
This is the first Harry Potter game to borrow the schools blueprints from the creators of the movie and really flesh out the video game universe. Now instead of a designers idea of the world we have an exact replica of Hogwarts in what Warner Bros has deemed there perfect look for the movies. Key landmarks like Hagrids Hut, the Owlery and Moaning Myrtles bathroom are all present. Everything is open to you from the get go and instead of finding the DA members youre more than welcome to just run around exploring the vastness that is Hogwarts. In every room theres something new to discover, from an early Snitch to dozens of hidden chess pieces. Finding all of these secrets unlocks movies and trophies, grossly adding to the replay value once you are finished with the modest six to ten hour story.
Hogwarts is naturally a big place and it would be impossible to find your way around unless you actually attend the school in Britain. For those many of us that do not have this honour a simple press of the minus button will bring up a map in the style of the Marauders Map. Cant find a room? Search for it on the list and press A. Now follow the footsteps that will lead your directly to the required room, taking any short cuts you have discovered along the way. You will find yourself abusing the map throughout the game as you progress, as Hogwarts really is that big.
Aside from being the first to allow such freedom the Wii version of Harry Potter is also the first to engage the gamers on a more profound level with the Wiimote and nunchucks motion controls. Basic movement with the control stick is present but unfortunately there is no free camera control. The thing that sets Wii Potter apart from the competition is that instead of pointing the second analogue stick in a direction to cast spells, you draw your wand with B and use subtle motions to preform magic. An example, shown to you very early on at Grimmauld Place is Wingardium Leviosa. You target an object; tilt the nunchuck and wiimote toward you in a flicking motions and the object, with any luck, shall rise and be at your disposal. If a spell doesnt work on an object it simply cannot be used so try another one. Another use of the motion controls is the ability to repair objects to there former state. This is done through Reparo, a twirl on the wiimote allowing a career as a Janitor. Combat spells use the same move sets but incur different results, for example Levicorpus is a flick of the two controllers.
This has been said and complained about a thousand times now but it has to be said again for the sake of this review. Wii games that have released since its launch, minus a few worthy titles, have looked like scraps from the Gamecubes launch period. Games have suffered lazy ports, rushed development times and just a complete lack of care. Harry Potter is undoubtedly one of the most visually impressive Wii games to have released during the first half of this year. Hogwarts is immaculate, minus a few clipping issues here and there. The special effects that come with conjuring magic and the background effects like a broom sweeping the pavement are just as impressive. Problems do arise when flipping from real time to cut scenes, but youd have to be a technical buff for this to bother you at all.
Just as impressive is the audio. Rich, ambient background scores including classics from John Williams and and a very well scored exclusive piece, are played throughout most of the adventure. At times the background music ceases to play and youll be left squandering alone to the noises of bird chips and nonsensical rambling leaving the background to shine. They have even managed to snag a few of our movie favourites to voice act the characters, including Ginny, Ron, Malfoy, Fred and George. Unfortunately Harry and Hermoine could not make it as Harry was too busy making a career elsewhere and Hermoine hard at her studies so she can go to university. I would have used the actors real names but not everyone is a Harry Potter nut like myself.
That brings me around to one of my final points. This game is very Harry Potter fan centric. If you are not a fan of the movies or at least the books, then I cannot imagine you enjoying this game at a level that fans will. As a stand alone title the storyline is rushed, blotchy and not much better than Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End. The environment is only appealing if you’re familiar with it and casting magic is only enjoyable if youve always wanted to be a fully-fledged wizard or witch.
Harrys days are numbered. The last book is a mere two weeks away and the fifth movie releases this Thursday in Australia. One day his story will come to a finale but through the wonder that is video games he can live forever and ever, so long as the material is fresh and exciting. Whether or not an online Harry Potter could one day be on the horizon The Order of the Phoenix is, for now, as close as youre going to get to the real deal. Heres one Potter fan that doesnt want Harry to die.
