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How Metascores Are Calculated
68
Active Life: Outdoor Challenge
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts and discovers that much of the wizarding community has been denied the truth about the teenager’s recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort. Fearing that Hogwarts' venerable Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is lying about Voldemort's return in order to undermine his power and take his job, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, appoints a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to keep watch over Dumbledore and the Hogwarts students. But Professor Dolores Umbridge's Ministry-approved course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the dark forces threatening them and the entire wizarding community, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry takes matters into his own hands. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves "Dumbledore’s Army," Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead. With the ability to play multiple characters, including Harry Potter, Dumbledore and Sirius Black, the videogame of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix offers fans the opportunity to wield a wand, explore all around Hogwarts, and experience one of the most exciting and dangerous years in the life of the Boy Who Lived. [Electronic Arts / Warner Bros.]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 88
PGNx Media
Thanks to the top-notch production values, this is an easy recommendation for fans of the books or movies.
 83
GamingTrend
The magic system is fun, but grows dull after a while since there are only so many motions and limited number of spells.
82
Official Nintendo Magazine UK
It's as close to the Potter world as you're likely to get in a videogame an dis fun to play too. [Aug 2007, p.74]
80
GameZone
Joking aside, this is the Harry Potter game. If you have multiple systems, the Wii is the version to get. Young and old will enjoy.
80
1UP
Does the motion control work? Absolutely. Granted, casting spells with the Wii Remote isn't a perfect affair, but the interactive nature easily pushes the Wii version above the others, despite its higher-resolution console brothers.
80
Game Almighty
The extreme care taken with reproducing the world, characters, and story of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix results in certainly the best Harry Potter game yet and a perfect counterpart to the film.
80
GameSpy
Fans will get a huge kick over how well it recreates Harry's world. I know a lot of multiple system owners are wondering if they should get this version of the game or go for the "prettier" versions. It's a tough call, really. The Wii controls are quite a bit of fun, but the 360 and PS3 versions looks quite a bit better (although the Wii version certainly doesn't look bad).
80
G4 TV
The Wii version is graphically inferior to the 360 and PS3; Ron and Hermione have a nasty way of blocking your path in tight quarters; and there are the aforementioned, seemingly endless fetch-quests. Even with all that, this is easily the best Harry Potter game to date, and it’s simply one of the most entertaining movie tie-ins on the market.
80
Game Chronicles
Maybe it is not the best game in the Wii library, but it is definitely the best Harry Potter game yet released.
79
Gamer 2.0
Order of the Phoenix is without a doubt the best entry in the Harry Potter game series to date.
78
IGN
It is by far the most immersive journey to Hogwarts to date thanks to the realization of a truly enormous, often-beautiful world that is wholly connected without any load times and also thanks to new Wii remote controls that effectively enable you to use Nintendo's controllers as Harry's wand.
78
Worth Playing
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has a gigantic amount of things to offer gamers, whether you're a dedicated follower of the series, or simply one wanting to experience a different way to use the Wii's motion controls.
75
Gaming Age
It really shows that EA not only took notes from the films and books, but listened to the fans to give them what they want.
75
GamerNode
Order of the Phoenix is the first movie game of the year that would be considered solid for a game, period. For a movie tie-in, it's spectacular.
73
Gamers' Temple
'll summarize this way: If you're a Harry Potter geek then this is a must have. If you're just a gaming geek then you may want to pass.
72
DailyGame
Harry's fifth go-round is tailor-made for the Wii-Mote's ability to mimic a magic wand, but despite extensive efforts to bring Hogwart's to life, boring play and uninterruptible cut-scenes cast an ominous cloud.
70
Total Video Games
Unlike the control system (on Wii at least), the camera is far from responsive and ultimately becomes one of the letdowns of the game, nullifying all of the solid work EA UK has managed to do with the gesture-controlled spells.
70
AceGamez
When Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix comes to a close, it's really hard to hold a grudge or feel disappointment, as there is no denying the energy, dedication and money EA have put into creating the greatest Harry Potter game yet.
70
Zentendo
Overall an enjoyable title for most, and definite must-have for Potter fans. Some more casual gamers may find the game boring after only a short time.
70
NintendoWorldReport
As you may have heard, this is the best Harry Potter videogame yet. But that's like saying "Bloodrayne" is the best Uwe Boll movie yet -- it might be true, but it doesn't mean much.
70
Nintendo Power
While the Potter faithful will likely love Order of the Phoenix nonetheless, players who don't know Reducto from Reducio may want to wait for a more-satisfying Potter game. [Aug 2007, p.89]
65
GamePro
For diehard Potter fans and those who walk away from the movie with stars in their eyes, the game will hold some value, especially in the unlockable videos and interviews with the cast and staff members of the movie and games. However, the rest of you Muggles should definitely stick to the novels and the power of your imagination to get you in a magical state of mind.
65
Game Informer
Harry Potter’s latest adventure may be light on action, but it does replicate the Hogwartian life better than any game before it. Out of all of the books, games, and movies, it allows you to get closer to the school than ever before – all at the expense of actually enjoying your stay. It’s boring and tedious, just like a real school is. However, it’s also a place where your Harry Potter knowledge can bloom.
65
Armchair Empire
As far as move tie-ins go it’s better than some of them without actually having much innovative about it besides the Wii controls.
63
The New York Times
Phoenix has an unfinished feel, as though the game’s designers stuck in a placeholder for game play, planning to flesh it out later, only to run out of time.
60
PALGN
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was on the right track but needed more time to be great. Only fans will find any enjoyment.
60
NGamer UK
Lots of places to go but not much to do when you get there. [Sept 2007, p.42]
60
Gamestyle
While it will easily thrill Potter fans, it also provides an above average distraction for those curious about the series, or looking for a release that integrates the Wii remote with some reasonable success.
58
The Wiire
The game should be played by everyone, simply so players can take in the impressive environment and the feeling of casting spells, but the game is worth little more than a rental to all except Dumbledore's dearest devotees, whose experience may certainly be worth a collectible.
58
GameShark
The way the Wii version handles spell casting is a bit more complicated and a bit more entertaining.
50
VideoGamer
While the core mechanics of Order of the Phoenix are verging on excellent, the game that's been built around them is basically a series of chores in disguise.
50
GameSpot
The video game version of Order of the Phoenix captures none of the magic in the Harry Potter books or films.
45
WHAM! Gaming
And that¹s what this rapidly descends into, a series of unappealing tasks.
42
Game Revolution
Order of the Pheonix is all about homework and chores, and feels harder to take in than a whole book - those are poor marks for a video game.
Kayla F. gave it a6: Sez B. gave it a7: Jared C. gave it a10: Robert R. gave it a6: Tony F. gave it a10: harry_potter dumbleldor gave it a3: Parry Hotter gave it a10: |
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