Metareview: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
It isn't every day you get chased by a dragon. Another of the season's games aimed at kids, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire falls neatly into two despised categories: a sequel, and a movie tie-in. More than that, it's a tie-in of a movie which is itself a sequel. By transforming the Potter universe from book to game via film, has some of the original magic been lost? Is the game just for kids, or will adults enjoy it too?
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IGN (7.2) lamented the loss of the adventure/puzzle feel of the previous series: "Goblet of Fire goes light on difficulty and heavy on straightforward action."
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Gamespot (7.1) found the visuals and co-operative play fairly impressive, but think it's a game for the fans: "Though the collection aspects of the game are a drag at times, The Goblet of Fire still does enough to keep Potter fans engaged throughout."
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UGO (D ) were less impressed, finding every aspect of the game lacking: "Any sitting of the game lasting longer than 30 minutes can be a mind-numbing experience, no matter how old you are."
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Eurogamer (6/10) were pleasantly surprised by the game, but found nothing particularly outstanding: "Competently handled, atmospheric and reasonably compelling but it doesn't leave you beaming or breathless."
Overall the verdict seems to be to stay away unless you're a Potter fan with a lot of patience—if you liked previous Potter games, you may be disappointed. The game doesn't seem to reflect the more mature feel of the book and the film, but if you want to experience J.K. Rowling's world for yourself, it might be worth a look.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
theNotoriousBEN @ Dec 18th 2005 9:38PM
What exactly is Harry doing in this screen shot? Excuse my immaturity but it really, really looks like something else...
jl @ Dec 18th 2005 9:38PM
It's a *broomstick*, folks.
Joseph @ Dec 18th 2005 9:38PM
It certainly is...
Mark B @ Dec 18th 2005 9:38PM
It looks like Harry is doing the classic two-handed stroke, made famous by none other than Ron Jeremy.
Imp @ Dec 18th 2005 9:38PM
I can't imagine why a Harry Potter fan would enjoy this game when the movie was such a horrible deviation from the book
Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 9:38PM
it's made by EA and rushed out so it can be sold why people give a shit
what do you expect.
* the screen looks very funny *
Arcon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:38PM
When you're about to be eaten by a dragon, i guess you loose your inhibitions and think of Hermione
Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 9:38PM
"When you're about to be eaten by a dragon, i guess you loose your inhibitions and think of Hermione"
I know I do
Vasco @ Dec 18th 2005 9:38PM
Is it just me, or does that "dragon" look like that big owl in the legend of zelda games?
/still thinks the screen looks funny.