Preview
Author J.K. Rowling's best-selling boy wizard has had quite a run on Xbox®, as titles like Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ prove. But his latest outing, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire™, an action-adventure heavy on melee combat elements, looks as if it could be the most magical yet. Alone or with the help of two friends via co-op mode, whom you can recruit to play Ron and Hermione, chances are the tale, releasing alongside Warner Bros.' new feature film, will prove simply spellbinding.
Start brushing up on those charms and summonings
—come November, spells like Glacius, Incendio,
and Aqua Eructo will serve you well.
The legends return.
Upon booting the disc, you'll be struck by a singular impression: how much the excitement resembles that found in fellow fantasy outingThe Lord of the Rings™: The Return of the King™. Although challenges include fleeing rampaging dragons, taking defense against the dark arts lessons, and solving simple puzzles (e.g. block-stacking brainteasers), a sense of urgency and excitement runs throughout all. Whether escaping from the Quidditch World Cup final—Ireland beats Bulgaria, naturally, before Voldemort's Death Eaters invade—or dropping rocks on fang-faced Dugbogs' heads using Wingardium Leviosa charms, there's never a dull moment. Not that there would be: It isn't everyday you're chosen to be the fourth champion in the legendary Triwizard Tournament, naturally.
Thank a clever design choice for immediately increasing the thrill factor; all three characters are present on-screen during most sequences. What's more, computer-controlled allies are perfectly capable of defending themselves using jinx spells and cooperating with you to accomplish certain goals. Work together and you'll remove boulders blocking your path, yank troublesome logs out of the way, and even cause thundering rockslides. Some scenarios feature even deeper challenges, too. For example, the need to extinguish a fire pit, and afterwards a salamander's flames, so you and your friends can then stun and defeat the creature before it reignites or spawns reinforcements.
Blast it all!
It's not like overcoming obstacles is a completely automated process either. Press X or Y to start an incantation intended to lift a massive stone, for instance, and you'll have to juggle the left joystick to maintain control over your casting. Meanwhile, built-in force feedback features will be sending shivers up your arm.
Predictably, the title handles like a typical brawler (although you'll be using magic instead of fists when fighting opponents). Constant chatter between heroes and exciting visual touches such as rain, steam, and sizzling spell effects that zing across the Forbidden Forest's overgrown trails and Hogwarts' battlements add spice, too. Big-budget production values further lace the entire production: Cinematic cut-scenes shine; voice-overs prove both plentiful and of top-quality; audiovisuals evoke honest emotion; and level design work is a cut above that found in most competitors.
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's … RUN!
Depth, a common issue with many like-minded offerings, shouldn't prove a problem here either. In a nice touch, for the most part, you're able to pick from any member of the headlining trio before jumping into each mission. All handle much the same, which is to say well, yet each has their own powers. And, of course, the entire lot has plenty of tasks ahead to keep them occupied, be it accomplishing mission goals, collecting Triwizard shields, or just jinxing a certain number of toads.
Any member of the group is also capable of collecting beans. These multicolored goodies, which appear when you defeat enemies or blast certain background objects, have a life of their own. Catch enough of the collectibles before they dance off into the distance, though, and you can spend them on collector's cards. Cards, which bestow ability-boosting effects ranging from enhanced stamina to stronger spell power to the ability to help friends regenerate health just by standing next to them, may be equipped before each mission. Harry, Ron, and Hermione can only carry three apiece, however, so be careful which you choose.
Beneath the Black Lake.
Between catapulting gooey bubotubers into mushroom blockades with a wave of your wand and battling Erklings and Vampyr Mosps, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire promises to be a singularly enchanting romp. Featuring familiar faces such as Dumbledore, Mad-Eye Moody, and even He Who Must Not Be Named (Voldemort—whom you'll face at the end), rest assured series fans are in for a real treat. Start brushing up on those charms and summonings—come November, spells like Glacius, Incendio, and Aqua Eructo will serve you well.
Article by Chris Zimmerman
