Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
North American cover art
Developer(s)	KnowWonder (PC) Argonaut (PS) Griptonite (GBC) Eurocom (GBA, GC, Xbox, PS2) Aspyr (MAC)
Publisher(s)	EA Games Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Series	Harry Potter
Engine	Unreal Engine 1.0 (PC and MAC) Argonaut proprietary engine (PS) Argonaut new proprietary engine (PS2, XBOX, GC)
Platform(s)	Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, PC, Xbox, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, MAC
Release date(s)	Game Boy Advance EU 5 November 2002 NA 14 November 2002 JP 23 November 2002 Game Boy Color EU 15 November 2002 PC & Xbox NA 14 November 2002 EU 15 November 2002 PlayStation, PlayStation 2 & Nintendo GameCube NA 14 November 2002 EU 15 November 2002 JP 23 November 2002 MAC NA 10 April 2003
Genre(s)	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	ELSPA: 3+ ESRB: E OFLC: G

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a 2002 action-adventure game published by Electronic Arts and developed by both EA's internal development team and Eurocom for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and Game Boy Advance systems. It was simultaneously co-developed by Amaze Entertainment for Windows, Mac and the Game Boy Color systems. An original version was also created for the PlayStation by Argonaut Games. This was also the last game released for the Game Boy Color in North America and the last Harry Potter game to be released on PlayStation.

Gameplay

The game's core gameplay is simple. Taking control of Harry Potter, the player explores Hogwarts castle and grounds. Throughout the course of the game, the player will encounter events that tie into the storyline of the second Harry Potter book.

Filling the gaps between these events are various classes, where the player will learn how to fly a broomstick and learn new spells for combating bosses, among other things. Each new spell is accompanied by a challenge, which the player must get through in a certain amount of time to complete that class period. During the later parts of the game, the player will face challenges which are not time-limited and are not related to learning spells. These challenges are all based on events from the book, for example travelling into the Forbidden Forest and gathering ingredients for a potion Hermione is making.

Spells

• Flipendo: Knocks back enemies and flips switches.
• Lumos: Emits light from the wand.
• Diffindo: Severs ropes and tapestries.
• Skurge: Clears away ectoplasm that blocks doors or chests.
• Spongify: creates a high jump.
• Incendio: produces fire.
• Alohomora: Unlocks locked doors and chests.
• Avifors: Transforms statues into birds.
• Expelliarmus: disarms the opponent.
• Rictusempra: tickling charm.
• Mimblewimble: Confuses the opponent and prevents them from accurately casting their next spell

In the Game Boy Color version of the game, you have to level up different spells. To level the spell to "Duo" You need to use it 25 times. To level up to "Tria" You need to use it 50 times.

Story

For a complete synopsis, see Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

As a young wizard-in-training, Harry Potter can't wait to leave the non-magical world behind and return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his second year. But during the summer holidays, a most peculiar visitor appears in Harry's bedroom with a dire warning—disaster will strike if Harry returns to Hogwarts!

As the new term starts, the grave prediction he was warned about seems to be coming true. Strange and terrible events occur—and Harry always seems to be nearby. Panic reigns, but nobody knows who—or what—is to blame.

With the help of his best friends, Ron and Hermione, it's up to Harry to solve the mystery and clear his name, before another victim is claimed and Hogwarts is shut down for good!

Versions

Publisher	Year	Platform	Type	Metacritic score
Electronic Arts	2002	MS Windows	Action-Adventure	77%
Aspyr	2002	Mac	Action-Adventure	(73%)
Electronic Arts	2002	Game Boy Color	Role-playing game	(71%)
Electronic Arts	2002	Game Boy Advance	Action-Adventure game	76%
Electronic Arts	2002	GameCube	Action-Adventure	77%
Electronic Arts	2002	PlayStation	Action-Adventure	Insufficient reviews to calculate an average; individual review scores were 80%, 80% and 60%
Electronic Arts	2002	PlayStation 2	Action-Adventure	71%
Electronic Arts	2002	Xbox	Action-Adventure	77%

The PlayStation version of the game is entirely different from the other console versions. The game was developed by Argonaut Games exclusively for the aging console. It is mostly made up of a series of mini-games that the player can play when not attending classes.

There are also slight differences between the three other console versions of the game. The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of the game allow the player to access a broom and enter free-flight mode. While the PlayStation 2 version allows the player to land anywhere they want, in the Xbox and GameCube version the landing zones are limited. In the GameCube version, there is an exclusive feature involving GC-GBA connectivity that allows a secret room to be opened in the GC version when connected with the GBA version of the game.

The PC/Mac version of the game, which was created by a different developer than the console versions, features completely different levels and gameplay from the console cousins. The game features the same graphics and character design as the Philosopher's Stone (PC).

The Game Boy Color version is a typical role-playing game. However, it lets you play as Harry, Ron, Hermione and Gilderoy Lockhart at various points in the game. The Game Boy Advance version has the fewest spells. It is based on the PS2/XB/GC and Mac versions. It is mostly made up of mini-quests (unlike other versions, except GBC).

Reception

• IGN Xbox: 8.7
• IGN GC: 8.9
• IGN PS2: 8.4
• IGN GBA: 7.8
• IGN PC: 8.0

The Xbox version received a platinum family hits edition for selling over 100,000 copies. It received strongly positive reviews.

Awards

The musical score for the game, created by Jeremy Soule, was awarded a BAFTA Award for Best Score, Game Music Category.

External links

• Official website
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets at Eurocom