by bodobodot1
| Jan 20, 2006 |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire shall be released for many different consoles and portables, but the DS version is unique. The developers have thought up new ways to utilize the touch screen to create a game that is both challenging and fun to play. The ability to play as Harry, as well as Ron and Hermione, adds an interesting element to game play, in that you need to choose the character that has the best strengths in the situations you'll be in. Pick Harry for the best attack power, pick Ron for the fastest player, and pick Hermione for the best defence stats.
The GRAPHICS-
Lots of people were disappointed when they discovered that most parts of the DS game will be almost the same as the game-boy advance version. In the main adventure mode, the game in in an isometric view which can sometimes be confusing if you are figuring out where to go. All of the action takes place on the top screen, which shows nothing else than the level. All of the stamina bars and dialogue are found on the bottom screen. On the bottom screen, you can see superbly drawn pictures of all three characters along with an attractive background.
When items appear on the top screen for you to collect, they usually appear quite small so you can have difficulty seeing them. Characters are somewhat blocky, but obstacles are smooth and act just like their real-life counterparts. Overall, the graphics in the adventure mode are slightly disappointing, but the graphics all change when you enter a 3-D boss battle.
You appear on the bottom screen and the creature you are facing appears on the top screen. The backgrounds and the creatures themselves look stunning. For a portable, the graphics are the best I've ever seen, better than that of most PSP games. No creatures are blocky, and you can make out every detail of Harry's face clearly with no blurs.
To cast spells in the 3-D mode, you need to select your mode of attack, then complete a series of wand movements with the stylus on the screen to cast. The movements appear on the bottom screen as faint outlines, which you have to follow. Once you have cast your spells, you need to block the attackers spells by creating shields with the stylus, and destroying incoming spells and attacks.
Menus are clear and are animated smoothly, and can be navigated using the touch screen or the buttons.
The graphics- 9/10.
The SOUND-
My overall opinion of the sound in the Goblet of Fire is that it's loud, very loud, but perhaps that is because I've had the volume right up full. Background music is usually an orchestral piece, and the game holds about three of them. You need to progress more than halfway through the game, however, to hear a different tune. In 3-D mode, the same tune plays and once you get even a little way through the game, you'll be turning the sound off when a 3-D battle occurs.
There is no noise when you make a selection at a menu, and this can make it quite difficult to no if you have pressed quite hard enough if you are using the touch screen. Character voices are clear, and you can hear every word they are saying without background noise getting in the way.
Object noises are very good too. If you charm an object, a shimmering noise can be heard. If you push an object out of the way, the sound of it rolling can be heard out of the according speaker. If you roll an object to the left, you hear it in the left speaker, and if you roll it to the right, you hear it out of the right speaker. Overall, the game uses of the DS 's sound capabilities to their full extent, and I can say, it sounds fantastic.
The sound- 10/10.
The CONTROLS-
I think that the controls in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire are VERY simple and easy to get used to. For one thing, you do not use the X button and the Y button at all. I find this slightly disappointing, and it makes you feel as if all you are playing is a port of the Game boy advance version of the game. There are a number of actions you need to perform in the game that would be made much easier if you had used a button for the task. Jumping is just one example. To jump, you need to be standing exactly in front of the ledge you wish to jump. Then, you have to push forwards on the control pad, and after a period of about fifteen seconds the game realises that you want to jump, and only then do you move.
One good point on the control scheme, is that various things can be done on the touch screen as well as buttons. If you want to pause the game, you can either press star, or press the pause icon on the screen. If you wished to access your card collection, you would normally have to press start, down two times, then press A. Now, you just tap the little book icon at the bottom of the screen. It saves you so much bother.
However, the best use of the touch screen is to be found in 3-D mode, when you wish to cast a spell. For more information, go back to the graphics section of this review.
The controls- 8/10.
The GAME-PLAY-
This game is similar to other Harry Potter Games. You get to complete each class, as well as progress in the actual story. The ability to play as all three heroes is a fun element. During the game, you will need to hex, jinx, and charm your way out of difficult situations, overcoming villains such as death eaters, Red Caps, Grindylows, Hinkypunks, and Lord Voldemort himself.
To complete the game one hundred percent, you'll need to discover collectible cards throughout the game, and gather triwizard shields. If you get all of them in a level, you will unlock new mini games to play. You can play mini games from the main menu, as well as a game where you look after one of Hagrid's pets, called a Niffler. These games will keep you amused for quite a while, but perhaps not as long as the mini games in Super Mario 64 DS. There is plenty to explore, and if you can find all items in a level in one go, I'll be very surprised as they are difficult to come across.
Lots of times you will come to dead ends, and you'll need to retrace you steps carefully, because who knows what will be lurking round a corner, ready to strike.
The average difficulty in the game is easy at first, but it gets harder by the minute, and the final battle is almost impossible. The game length is not too long, but long enough that finishing it will sound like a challenge. The level design is well thought out, and usually, if you go one way, you'll affect what happens next in some way or another.
There is a multi player mode using multi card play, but I've not had the chance to try it out yet.
The Game play- 9/10.
RENT OR BUY - Buy, definitely buy. This game is best played by those aged 10 and up. Despite the 7 and up rating, some bits terrified my friend's brother, even though he is nine.
I'll never regret the day I went to Game-station to buy this, because it is one of the best games I've played. Overall, this game receives a score of 9/10.
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