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The greatest test of a licensed game is to ask yourself if the game would still be compelling without the license and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban passes with flying colors.
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It entertains, it excites and it's easy to follow so no need for cheats, and sometimes that is all that matters.
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Derivative but fun and the EyeToy support is a great bonus. Won't win over Harry-haters but fans will be willy, er, wand-waving into the wee small hours.
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A genuinely good third-year romp for Harry. Accomplished and absorbing, it's not quite magical but it's certainly no muggle either. [GamesMaster]
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Official U.S. Playstation MagazineOffers a deeper, more mature experience than the previous titles. [July 2004, p.94]
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AceGamezAdds real depth to familiar characters and locations.
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It is by far the best Harry Potter game made to date.
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Some scenes do not look quite right — the scale of the characters against the width of the Hogwarts Express clearly do not tally. But these minor disappointments are quickly outweighed by stunning visuals in the later levels.
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Being able to explore Hogwarts as not one, but all three of your favorite characters is, as Ron would put it, brilliant. But older gamers will find little challenge in the game's simplistic block puzzles.
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Weekly Famitsu8 / 8 / 7 / 7 - 30 silver [Vol 811; 2 July 2004]
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As a companion to the movie, it certainly serves its purpose. But as a game that sparks new magic in the genre? That might need to wait for the next film.
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A by-the-numbers movie-licensed game that makes pretty good use of its source material without really doing anything too surprising. It's perfect for kids.
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PSM MagazineThe tri-character gameplay really adds some depth, but Harry Potter newbies will still be left in the dark when trying to follow the narrative. [Aug 2004, p.25]
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The combat difficulty level is forgiving, and the game guides you through the puzzles with helpful clues and hints from the other characters. Less experienced gamers -- who, let's face it, are really the ones the game is aimed at -- will find its light touch very rewarding.
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There's still nothing here that amazes, just a fun game that is worthy of a Potter fan's attention.
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GMR MagazineIt's a fine tie-in game, but it's over rather quickly, offering little in the way of challenge. [Aug 2004, p.93]
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Although Prisoner of Azkaban is still aimed at the tween set, it’s more interesting—visually and interactively—than previous Potter games. And yet, Harry’s still got a ways to grow.
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If you’ve never seen the draw of Harry Potter, then perhaps this game isn’t for you, although with nothing too complex to get your head around and the ability to out-magic Malfoy and his troop, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban spells more fun than a lot of movie-to-game conversions.
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Fans of the books and films will enjoy the chance to explore the Hogwarts grounds and do things like ride Buckbeak the hippogriff and collect all of the Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, but there's not a lot in this game to appeal to your average Muggle.
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The game is very linear and hopefully one day the EA team will expand this title with a bit more freedom.
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If you’re a die-hard HP fan… well, keep reading the books. If you’re looking for a decent Potter-tinged romp, this is the best one you’re gonna get – at least until the next movie comes out.
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Electronic Gaming MonthlyA simple, solid adventure with smart puzzles and high production values, but it leads its junior wizards through every baby step. [Aug 2004, p.101]
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While it's true that things have improved, that doesn't mean it's suddenly a great game. While the downplaying of the storyline does help streamline the game, it also makes your goals seem a little disconnected and random.
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A decent licensed title, but it doesn't take any risks, so don't expect an epic adventure.
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I wish I could say that Prisoner of Azkaban was a bold new start for the series. It's not, but this is a significantly better game than either of the previous two entries. [July 2004, p.111]
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The framerate is unpredictable. There are control and lock-on issues. There are artificial intelligence oversights. And there are some collision detection problems. Why? There's no excuse.
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It ticks a number of very basic and previously-defined boxes with unbending efficiency, throwing in a few commendable moments of surprising fun, drenched in the usual superficial fineries (the visuals, recognisable characters, plotlines, set-pieces, et al) with which many an EA game has plied its trade in the past.
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Those without pixies and muggles dancing in their heads beforehand are going to find the game a lot less enchanting, but fans of the Potter series will want to consider a brief stay in a reasonable facsimile of the hallowed halls of Hogwart’s.
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Lets fans romp through a digital version of the film and offers some decent gameplay along the way, but it doesn’t do much else. Provided that’s all you expect from a licensed game, you won’t be entirely disappointed.
Awards & Rankings
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51
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#51 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004
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User score distribution:
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Positive: 47 out of 66
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Mixed: 17 out of 66
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Negative: 2 out of 66
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Apr 6, 2023
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Jan 1, 2023
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Aug 2, 2022