Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets (Electronic Arts, PC, G)

By PETER ELEY

(Herald rating: * * * * )

It's the game of the movie, so don't expect an absolutely wizard time. Like most such releases, this one relies more on movie hype than cutting-edge graphics and gameplay.

But it is a playable game,
reasonable value for money
and will appeal to young
Potterphiles who want to
recreate something of the movie experience.

It's a linear adventure puzzle game that relies on cut scenes to move the plot along.

That won't appeal to everyone, but does help to capture the flavour of the movie.

Harry's task in the game, as in the movie, is to unlock
Hogwarts School's Chamber of Secrets, established by one of its founding members, Salazar Slytherin.

To do so, Harry has to learn lots of spells, indulge in wizard duelling, dwarf tossing and quidditch before finally
confronting the chamber's horror and freeing Hogwarts from its shadow.

It is a simple game which won't task experienced puzzle-solvers, and is obviously aimed at the younger player.

This isn't a bad thing, and
the game is a solid enough
re-creation of an excellent film.

petereley@nzherald.co.nz