Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

PGNx Media

The game changes a few of the things Harry fans have come to expect from the games, and though aimed at a younger audience, Harry fans will find a lot to like in the game.

Computer and Video Games

This latest Potter effort is rather damned good. It looks superb, it encourages teamwork without screwing up too much when you're only in single-player mode, and when a change of pace kicks in, it usually involves Potter being murdered by a 60-foot-long fire-breathing lizard. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Game Chronicles

As the movies and books mature with their audiences this game seems to have been left behind a grade in an attempt to attract a new generation of gamers that might be too young for the material the game is based upon.

Armchair Empire

Wizard-wannabes under the age of 15 will be infatuated.

GameZone

I would really like to play this game with its ability to have three live players. I believe that will hurdle the fun a great deal.

Play Magazine

A fine, if not predictable, bit of movie gaming. [Jan 2006, p.49]

eToychest

Series fans will find a lot to love in this title, which offers an attractive, immersive, and most importantly, fun excursion into the world of J.K. Rowling's imaginative works.

DailyGame

The ingredients are there for something good, but they need more time in the cauldron before this game can bubble to the top.

GameSpot

It's a worthwhile platforming experience for hardcore Potter fans, but some may be put off by all the collection quests and backtracking.

IGN

The game's not perfect. There are some camera issues. Some AI issues. And I really would have preferred to have more control over spells. But it still arrives as a solid entry to the series. Kids will probably like it a lot.

GameSpy

The constant action means the Harry Potter series has always lent itself well to the video-game format, and thankfully (albeit surprisingly) EA has mostly improved upon their winning formula, while upping the ante visually and adding welcome multiplayer features, easily making the Goblet of Fire their best adaptation yet.

Official Xbox Magazine

Book and movie fans will still likely enjoy the best Harry Potter game yet. [Holiday 2005, p.84]

Cheat Code Central

The linear nature of the gameplay ensures that you will be forced into the various scenes as the director and developer intended. The puzzles and mini-games are fun but they are like eating candy floss; there's not much nourishment.

DarkStation

EA plays it safe with their latest Harry Potter adventure, featuring the same smooth gameplay and visual flair we have come to expect from the franchise.

Pelit (Finland)

Nothing more than a bunch of minigames that suffer from an awkward camera system. [Dec 2005]

TeamXbox

The magical spells don’t feel as deep and compelling as portrayed in the books/films, and the overall game experience becomes stale and repeated by the end. Stand out moments from the story are included, so fans will have a hoot picking those events out.

Just RPG

Speaking of game length, don't be surprised if you can beat this one in a few hours.

Worth Playing

A satisfying approach to the visual aspects of world-building hints at the possibility of a more complex adventure, but Goblet never delivers. Wasting the amped-up drama of the Triwizard Tournament on simplistic tasks that are actually less enjoyable than the levels you have to complete to arrive at them, Goblet is a likely disappointment to Potterites young and old.

Game Informer

Goblet of Fire is the best console Harry Potter action game yet, but it's still a far cry from good. [Dec 2005, p.161]

GamePro

Goblet of Fire adds some interesting enhancements, like bonus-granting Collector's Cards that can be bought and equipped, but it's just too tightly wound to stale gameplay convention to succeed.

Jolt Online Gaming UK

Somewhat annoyingly, the game often requires you to tackle each level a multiple number of times in order to collect items such as shields before the next area is unlocked.

Sydney Morning Herald

The highlight is a brief but thrilling broomstick chase against a fire-breathing dragon. An underwater interlude is less successful, although it provides variety.

G4 TV

A mostly average button masher that has the good luck of being associated with the hottest kids' property to come along in years.

Xbox World Australia

I find it such a shame that EA take the great and imaginative world of Harry Potter and choose to merely give us these tired half-efforts of a game, when there are so many more interesting ways they could use their license.

AceGamez

Seasoned gamers will find very little of interest here, regardless of how massive a Harry Potter fan you are (personally I love the books and the films).

Total Video Games

An unbelievably lazy title that just feels cheap. It has poor gameplay that the target audience will just fall asleep at, which only adds to the infuriating realisation that it will still sell thanks to the lightning scarred teen’s name.