Techtite's PC Game Reviews!

"While this children's game is not as challenging as games with a Mature Rating, it is by far one of the finest games I've played for this age bracket. Fans should love it."

---from the review

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Sidebar :

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The "2" sequel curse... Forget the fact that this is based on a book sequel for a moment, and consider how poorly most initial sequels are in gaming! Off the top of my head, here are some initial sequels that were total downers, which enhance the surprise of this sequel's success. Such mission disks in game "sequel" packaging include: Doom 2, X-Com 2: Terror from the Deep, Alone in the Dark 2 (eesh!), Darkseed 2 (no; I tried to forget that!), and the sequel so bad it left fans stuck outside a spaceship for all time: Manhunter: San Francisco. Ah, the memories...! 

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When Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone came out in theaters last year, many people were surprised that its game tie-in was so good. This was due in no small part to it being not a duplicate of the movie --which would be a copy of a copy, as it were-- though yet another interpretation of the novel's extended story. It also was, of course, a lot of fun. Now the second film is out, and while many might sneer that this quickly-released game sequel is just a mission disk in "new game" packaging, there's a lot of enhancements to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets which are worth a look. In many ways, it is like a totally new game.

The story is as it was in the books (and movies), though with little of the plodding. After all, this is a game, so the story quickly jumps to the action-savvy moments of the story, whenever possible. After a quick prologue, the "interactive" segments begin with the whomping willow tree; from there, it's quickly off to Hogwarts, where even more challenges await. The rest of the game is outlined like this: you go to a class and learn a spell, then enter a controlled "training arena" to hone that spell, then go on a separate mission (based on the actual story) that tests your skills even more. Sure, there may not be every facet of the book covered here, no more than the film; the good news is, you are not merely sitting on a couch in this game, as a reader of the story. In this game, you are Harry Potter!

Those familiar with the first game --and its minor flaws-- will particularly love the enhancements here. First of all, Hogwart's (for the most part) is free to tour at will; a welcome change from the first game, which forced you to walk a very linear line as the story progressed. In this game, you're can either follow a classmate to a class right away, or take the time to stroll the halls, talk to friends, open a few secret doors, and then go to class. Sure, some doors only open in time (when you learn the appropriate spell), while other doors only stay open for that part of the game (much like the story, the Slytherin dorm is only visited when you have a disguise, and only for a limited time). However, the majority of the house can be walked through over and over again, at will. Even the outer gardens are open to you. Best of all; upon defeating the final bad guy, your save game turns into an "open house" of sorts, so you can find all of Hogwart's over 30 secret areas (with more in the spell training areas) even long after you've seen the "grand finale." Cool!

The fact is, though, you're probably playing this game to be part of the story. No problems there; every major facet of the storyline is here, from giant spider Arogog to the ingredients Hermione needs to create her Slytherin disguise spell. The "game levels" you explore within the story basically involve minor challanges that kis should handle with relative ease. Spells are cast automatically, depending on the item you wish to cast a spell on, so young kids need not get frustrated when confusing "Flipendo" with "Alohomora." Kids may particularly enjoy, as I did, how the game does not have Harry merely run away from Arogog the giant spider; in this game you get to kick his butt, right down a bottomless pit forever. I forget how the original storyline went in this regard, though "spider falls down bottomless pit" works for me!

To make matters even sweeter for fans, some areas are introduced, only to be left as optional quests, to play at any time throughout the game (even upon completing the main story!). For one, there are Quidditch Matches, involving 6 separate competitions you can play and replay at any time. Second, there are Wizard Duels, which again can be done at any time. Best of all, though, you can search for Every Flavor Beans, which can be traded with other students for wizard cards. Find 10 Bronze Wizard Cards and get a larger health meter; fine 10 Silver Wizard Cards and unlock one of four locks blocking the entrance to the Gold Wizard Card Challenge, which is a whole optional level, only to be played by the true diehards who found as many secrets as possible. This is an awful lot of optional side-quests for a game that was already pretty cool as it was.

I think what I like most about this game sequel is, it took all of my minor pet peeves from the first game and removed them. This resulting children's game may not have the difficulty level and challenge of, say, No One Lives Forever 2, though for kids, and other Harry Potter fans, there is nothing I can think of that this game lacks. From Alohomora to Quidditch, this game has it all. Fans should be very pleased.

---Techtite