Licensed is usually the synonym for a poor attempt at a game. Luckily for Harry Potter; his games are mainly on the higher side the spectrum and the latest installment, Order of the phoenix, is no exception. To celebrate the up and coming release of the fifth Potter movie the people at EA have released a game. For the fifth time players will find themselves traversing the halls of everyone’s favorite wizarding school: Hogwarts.

For those of you who have read the fifth Potter novel the story is a given; and will find themselves rallying an army of students to combat the evil lord Voldemort. Players will participate in various mini-games and challenges to gain followers for Dumbledore’s Army. Navigation around the castle is easy thanks to the handy marauder’s map which leaves footprints along a path for the player to follow. The castle is quite large but soon the various corridors and staircases blend into one brick-ish mess and players will find themselves walking the same corridor over an over again.

Of course what’s the point of being at a wizarding school if you can’t cast spells? As it stands spells are a huge part of the game and are used by pushing the right stick in various directions. The budding wizards can use a variety of spells in both duels (battles) and real life situations. Broken vase? One reparo spell can fix that up. Box too heavy? Try using a wengardium leviosa charm. The casting system is quite responsive and, while not the most visually appealing, the spells get the job done. Players are encouraged at every opportunity to master their spells as most mini-games and quests require quick and precise use of the various spells.

Sadly the combat, as in the other Potter games, feels a bit lacking. The main problem is the lame targeting system and players will find their spells missing every second shot. The spells also seem to have a limited range and even when they seem to hit your opponent they will just stand there like nothing hit them. This spell deficiency only affects you and, sadly, your opponent’s spells will hit you nine times out of ten. Luckily, or should I say sadly, combat plays a small part in the overall game.

Another place where Potter falls short of a full length wand is in the camera. To put it simply; the camera is shocking. Players will find themselves walking into walls, miss aiming spells and walking in and out of the same door because the camera changes angles. Thanks to the new casting system camera control is limited at best and the overall product suffers because of it. The player also can’t help but wonder what the teachers at Hogwarts are teaching these young wizards. The fellow students have no manners or common sense and players will be held up for minutes waiting for Weasly wannabes to get out of the doorway.

Overall Order of the Phoenix is not a bad game as far as licensed titles go. It is just a game that needs a bit of tweaking to get out the bugs. Lovers of the Potter books and movies will instantly like this game a lot more than the average gamer; as for the rest of us, well, it is worth a look but perhaps just a rental before committing any serious money to Dumbledore’s Army.