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Welcome To Hogwarts: Year Three

DATE: -0/5-/2004
COMPANY: EA
PRODUCT: Prisoner Of Azkaban

With June right around the corner, there's only little under a month left before Harry's third year at Hogwarts hits the screen. This means that its not long until the third game in the Harry Potter series hits consoles as well.

Like the book and movie of the same name, Prisoner of Azkaban sets a much darker tone. After Harry returns to Hogwarts for his third year, a warlock named Sirius Black escapes from Azkaban prison and begins to hunt down Harry. It is widely believed that Sirius is the one who betrayed Harry's parents to Voldemort, and now he's set his sights on Harry, the one who got away.

The darker feeling is accurately reflected in the game's look. The light-hearted, almost Nintendo feeling of the past two games has been replaced with a much more mature look. This doesn't mean that you'll see Hermoine suddenly lose her Hogwarts robes in favor of a leather two-piece, but the game has grown up with the characters. The game's setting will also evolve as the seasons change. During events that take place during the winter months, the grounds of Hogwarts (and the surrounding area) will be covered in snow. This will change in the spring.

With the visual change come a few new gameplay enhancements as well. For the first time in the series, players can control Hermoine and Ron, as well as Harry. One section of the demo had Harry encountering a Dementor while on the train to Hogwarts. The icy, fear-inducing grip of the Dementor, one of the many that guard Azkaban prison, knocks Harry unconscious. You take control of Ron as he tries to drag Harry to safety. This leads to an intense trip through the Hogwarts Express as you dodge Dementors who are trying to steal Harry?s soul.

The option of controlling other characters isn't just a mere novelty. Throughout most of the game, you'll be able to switch between characters in the trio with a touch of a button. Obviously, who you have access to will vary depending on story elements. Switching between characters introduces more puzzle features into the game. Harry is the fastest of the three, while Hermoine can squeeze into tight spaces. Characters also have special spells that only they can use, such as Ron's ability to see hidden objects and Harry's bridge-making ability.

Teamwork is an important aspect of the game. In one section, the group faced off against a giant flame-covered golem. Each flame color protected him from certain attacks. In order to defeat the monster, Hermoine had to first use her freezing spell to stun him, then have Harry and Ron use their various attack spells to inflict damage. Aspects like this will be found all over the game.

Prisoner of Azkaban will also give players the opportunity to control various creatures as well. Some scenarios will require you to take flight with Harry's white owl Hedwig and one of Hermoine's special abilities will even let you control small dragons. Once you learn how to control him, you will even be able to fly around on Buckbeak the hippogriff.

As previously reported, both PS2 and GameCube owners will have access to special game modes. Utilizing the Sony EyeToy, players can take part in four mini-games like Seeker practice (which is a blast) and a game of Exploding Snap. GameCube owners can link up to the GBA version of the Azkaban and will be able to raise their own pet owl.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is slated to ship around the same time as the movie?s release for all three consoles, the PC and GBA.

GameVortex :: PSIllustrated :: TeamPS2