Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix


developer = Electronic Arts United Kingdom
publisher = Electronic Arts
designer =
engine =
released = flagicon|USA 25 June 2007
flagicon|Australia 28 June 2007
flagicon|Europe 29 June 2007
genre = Action-adventure
modes = Single-player
ratings = ESRB: E10+
PEGI: 7+
OFLC: PG
platforms = Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, Nintendo DS, Wii, Game Boy Advance, Mac OS X
media = Blu-ray Disc, DVD
requirements =Microsoft Windows:
* Optical drive: 8x or faster DVD-ROM
* CPU speed: 1.6 GHz or faster
* OS: Windows XP or Windows Vista
* Disk space: 5 GB or more free space
* Display: A video card with 32 MB of memory, or 128 MB for Windows Vista, and one of these chipsets required:
** ATI Radeon 7500 or greater, or Radeon 9500 Pro or greater for Windows Vista
** NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS or greater, or GeForce 6600 or greater for Vista.
**Note that laptop models of these cards are not supported.
* Memory (RAM): 256 MB, or 512 MB for Windows Vista
* Input = Video/sound: DirectX 9.0c compatible keyboard, mouse or gamepad.Mac: ["The Apple Store (U.S.) - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by Electronic Arts" - http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=6C04E099&nplm=TN641LL/A - Retrieved on 8/25/2007]
* OS: Mac OS X 10.4.9 or higher
* CPU: 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo or faster
** Note: Game will not run on a PowerPC (G3 / G4 / G5) based Mac / PowerMac.
* RAM: 512 MB or more required – 1 GB or more recommended
* Disc Drive: 8x or faster DVD-ROM drive
* Hard Drive: 4.5 GB or more required – 6 GB or more recommended
* Video: Nvidia (7300 or better) or ATI (X1600 or better)
** Note: GMA950 integrated graphics adapter is not supported.
input = Keyboard and mouse, Gamepad

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is a computer and video game that is based on the fifth instalment of the popular "Harry Potter" series by J. K. Rowling and the film adaptation, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, Nintendo DS, Wii, ["EA : Harry Potter : Order of the Phoenix" - http://www.ea.com/harrypotterandtheorderofthephoenix/features.jsp?platform=ps2 - Retrieved on 7/4/2007] Game Boy Advance and Mac OS X. ["EA : Harry Potter : Order of the Phoenix" - http://www.ea.com/article.jsp?id=mac - Retrieved on 7/4/07] It was released on 25 June in the U.S., 28 June in Australia and 29 June in the UK and Europe for PlayStation 3, PSP, PlayStation 2, Windows and the 3rd of July for most other platforms. [ Release Datecite news|url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/adventure/harrypotterphoenix/index.html?q=order%20of%20the&tag=result;title;5]

The theme of the game is to explore Hogwarts and follow the story from the book and movie. EA encouraged fan participation in the development of this game, and worked with a fan council. However, unlike prior games like the action-oriented Goblet of Fire, this time the adventure is in the style of a sandbox game. Similar to the "Grand Theft Auto" series and "Bully", in that Hogwarts is fully explorable most of the time, and there are "discovery points" that provide rewards to the player, which can be activated by completing side missions. Furthermore, there are battles between groups of students, as shown in the game trailer.

Plot

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger return to Hogwarts and discover that much of the Wizard community is in denial about Harry's encounter with Lord Voldemort. To make matter worse, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher refuses to teach them any defensive magic and is slowly taking over Hogwarts. Therefore, Harry, Ron, and Hermione create Dumbledore's Army to teach the defence they will need, with Voldemort on the move.

Features

The game presents the player with a large part of the Harry Potter universe, combining the movie blueprints, J. K. Rowling's drawings and books' descriptions to recreate known places, including the Ministry of Magic, Grimmauld Place and Little Whinging.

The game's sandbox style provides the player with a more open environment, as the player is able to move around most parts of Hogwarts freely.

As well as the main missions, and as part of the new sandbox style of playing, players can explore Hogwarts and interact with objects, using magical spells to earn Discovery points.

You can duel Slytherins in the Entrance Courtyard, Paved Courtyard, and specific floor corridors. You can also duel throughout the story. Most of them you play as Harry. Nevertheless, near the end, you will play as Sirius Black and Dumbledore in different duels.

Earning Discovery points increases the power of the owned spells, and earns player bonuses, such as behind-the-scenes videos and trophies, which can be viewed in the Room of Rewards. Items in the room such as trophies can also be unlocked by taking part in the various mini games, such as Exploding Snap, Wizard chess and Gobstones.

Their respective actors and actresses voice twenty-two of the characters.

There are various missions to complete which follow the storyline of the film, such as the recruiting Dumbledore's Army members, or creating havoc when Umbridge is made Headmistress.

Occlumency is also introduced as a feature of the game.

Twelve various Portraits located around the castle can also be used as secret shortcuts to other parts of the castle. However, the completion of a task specific to each Portrait is most likely required. After a task is completed, you will be free to use the secret passage as many times as you want.

In the PSP version, we see one of the extra features is being able to play as a Dark Wizard. On the back of the box it says you can be 'Crabbe Goyle, Draco, Malfoy, Bellatrix, and Voldemort. However, nobody has yet to find out how to unlock Voldemort.

Missing features

EA said they could not include everything, in particular:
* The taking of OWL examinations directly; although player will earn OWL grades by lessons - top marks will unlock new rewards.
* Quidditch and Flying, apart from the section of the game with Fred and George.
* Changing characters to Ron and Hermione, but Fred and George Weasley, Albus Dumbledore, and Sirius Black are playable as the game progresses.
*A few areas are inaccessible, especially with there not being an option to debug; The Whomping Willow is on the Marauder's Map but cannot be located, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw Common Rooms are nonexistent, Slytherin Common Room stops abruptly at the bottom of a staircase, Divination class, Gryffindor Girls' Dormitory, the Quidditch Pitch, and Stadium are inaccessible and Hagrid's Hut cannot be entered; Dumbledore's office is shown in several cut-scenes, but not present; there are also several locked doors on the Grand Staircase leading to unknown parts of the castle.
* You cannot get in the Chamber of Secrets, but you can get to the entrance.
* Snape's "most regrettable" memory was not featured in this; Snape instead gets angry with Harry for defeating him in Occlumency.

pells used in the game

While in most platforms the spells are performed by only using the directional and game pad buttons, the PlayStation 3 and Wii also make use of the special features of the SIXAXIS and the Wii Remote, respectively. The DS and GBA have players either using the Stylus or buttons, depending on the system. The PSP version also includes exclusive spells.

Non-combat spells

* "Reparo", a repairing spell.
* "Wingardium Leviosa", used to lift objects.
* "Depulso", used to push away objects.
* "Accio", used to summon objects.
* "Reducto", used to destroy objects. (Not available in the Nintendo DS version.)
* "Incendio", used to burn objects. [Elliot, Harvey (5 June 2007). [http://www.gamespot.com/wii/adventure/harrypotterphoenix/news.html?sid=6172009&om_act=convert&om_clk=mostpop&tag=mostpop;title;1] . Gamespot. Retrieved on (21 June 2007).]

Combat/duelling spells

* "Expelliarmus", used to disarm an opponent. (It deals great damage but if your opponent is kneeling, use this spell to finish off your opponent.) (Not available in the Nintendo DS version.)
* "Stupefy", a slow, powerful stunning spell.
* "Protego", used to deflect spells coming.
* "Rictusempra", another stunning spell that is faster than "Stupefy" but weaker (in the books, "Rictusempra" is a tickling spell).
* "Petrificus Totalus", paralyses the opponent. This spell proves to be a strong spell because if opponent is alone and is hit by this spell, the duel is automatically over. The same thing could happen to you. (Though it only deals great damage against Voldemort) (Not available in the Nintendo DS version.)
* "Levicorpus", used to hang the opponent upside-down. In the game, the spell can be used verbally. However, in the books, this spell did not appear until Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and is only nonverbal. (This is yet another spell that only damages Voldemort) (Not available in the Nintendo DS version.)"Expecto Patronum" is used in the beginning against the Dementors, and again in a Dumbledore's Army (D.A.) meeting, but it is never used again.

PSP Version

There are stronger versions of the spells Stupefy and Protego. They are named Stupefy Duo and Protego Duo. Stupefy Duo is a stronger version of Stupefy. The original Protego absorbed the spell being shot at you. Protego Duo sends the spell back to the opponent.

Casting spells

The casting of spells is taught by various other characters to Harry, who practices them first, then is able to use them. In the PC version of the game, different movements of the mouse while pressing either the left or right mouse button allows Harry to cast spells. In the Nintendo DS version, the stylus is used to cast the spell. In the Wii version the Wii remote is used as a wand.

pell strength

During the game, you will earn "Discovery Points" and "Discovery Levels" by discovering various secrets in the game - when you collect a certain number of Discovery Points, your spells will become more powerful (ranging from level 1 to 13). As you rise in Discovery Levels, the following traits are going to affect your spells:
* Strength - "Reparo" repairs objects faster, "Accio/Depulso" summons/pushes objects at a greater range, combat spells do more damage etc.
* Range - Combat spells will fade out and fall to the ground at lower levels, increasing the level increases their range - eventually leading to infinite range.
* Behaviour - "Stupefy, Rictusempra" and "Petrificus Totalus" gain more spells cast in one casting; some start moving from a straight line to a random track to improve chances of hitting the opponent.

Dumbledore and Voldemort (playable in a mission) have a special level, which is not achievable by Harry. "Stupefy" and "Rictusempra" cast two more individual spells than Harry, "Petrificus Totalus" moves in a pattern like "Rictusempra, Levicorpus" waddles around, while "Expelliarmus" achieves a very large amount of damage.

In the Nintendo DS version, the spell strength only has three options: Uno, Duo, Tria.

oundtrack

The game's soundtrack was composed by James Hannigan and conducted by Allan Wilson. Hannigan wrote themes for the various characters and incorporated "Hedwig's Theme" by John Williams into the score. IGN has given the game's music a rating of 9.5 out of 10. A significant amount of tracks present in the Order of the Phoenix videogame were also featured in The Chamber of Secrets video game. The soundtrack is available via iTunes, Amazon.com and other digital outlets.

Character voiceover

This is the first Harry Potter game to feature cast members from the film providing the voices of their characters, 22 to be exact. The cast list is below.

*"Adam Sopp" as "Harry Potter" (voice) Physical appearance by "Daniel Radcliffe"
*"Harper Marshall" as "Hermione Granger" (voice) Physical appearance by "Emma Watson" Harper Marshall is in the credits, but Emma Watson is the physical appearance
*"Rupert Grint" as "Ron Weasley"
*"Matthew Lewis" as "Neville Longbottom"
*"Bonnie Wright" as "Ginny Weasley"
*"Evanna Lynch" as "Luna Lovegood"
*"Katie Leung" as "Cho Chang"
*"Ralph Fiennes" as "Lord Voldemort"
*"Natalia Tena" as "Nymphadora Tonks"
*"James Phelps" as "Fred Weasley"
*"Oliver Phelps" as "George Weasley"
*"Tom Felton" as "Draco Malfoy"
*"Alfred Enoch" as "Dean Thomas"
*"Afshan Azad" as "Padma Patil"
*"Shefali Chowdhury" as "Parvati Patil"
*"Warwick Davis" as "Filius Flitwick"
*"Louis Doyle" as "Ernie Macmillan" (Not in the fifth film)
*"Josh Herdman" as "Gregory Goyle"
*"Harry Melling" as "Dudley Dursley"
*"Tiana Benjamin" as "Angelina Johnson" (Not in the fifth film)
*"Hugh Mitchell" as "Colin Creevey" (Not in the fifth film)
*"Nick Shirm" as "Zacharias Smith"
*"Charlotte Skeoch" as "Hannah Abbott" (Not in the fifth film)
*"Jamie Waylett" as "Vincent Crabbe"
*"Luke Youngblood" as "Lee Jordan" (Not in the fifth film)
*"Timothy Bateson" as "Kreacher"

Note: Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who play Harry Potter and Hermione Granger respectively, were only able to provide the physical forms for Harry and Hermione, as each were busy performing in other projects at the time.

Reception

The game itself has been received with mixed opinions - although this is common with tie-ins. Most critics seem to prefer the Wii version due to the wand-like Wii Remote controls.
* ONM (Wii): 82%
* GameTrailers.com (PS3): 8.0
* 1UP.com (Wii): 8.0
* X-Play (PS3, Wii, Xbox 360): 4 out of 5
* IGN (Wii): 7.8
* IGN (Xbox 360): [http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/objects/850/850860.html 7.6]
* IGN (PS3): 7.6
* IGN (PC): 7.3
* IGN (PS2): 7.0
* IGN (DS): 6.0
* Gamestyle (Wii) [http://www.gamestyle.net/reviews/harrypotterandtheorderofthephoenix 6.0]
* PSM3 (PS2): 56%
* PSM3 (PS3): 55%
* GameSpot (All versions): 5.0
* Gamestyle (Xbox 360) [http://www.gamestyle.net/reviews/1312 4.0]
* [http://www.thewiire.com/review/85/1/Harry_Potter_and_the_Order_of_the_Phoenix The Wiire] (Wii): C+. The Wiire also awarded the game with the Family Friendly and Ease of Use awards.
* Game Revolution: C-
* Nintendo Power: 8/10
* Game Informer: 6.5/10
* NGamer (Wii): 60%
* NGamer (DS): 55%

References

External links

* [http://www.ea.com/harrypotterandtheorderofthephoenix/ Official Electronic Arts website]