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This report forms Part III of the three-part EA Fansite Day report. Part I was released on May 4th, and Part II was released on May 11th.
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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a game like no other. I first witnessed the game being developed in March, and had been itching to play it ever since. On April 26th I returned to Electronic Arts and spent an afternoon with my hands firmly on the controller.

I won’t lie: I am very picky when it comes to video games. I feel constantly frustrated when the game blatantly reveals its computerised background, such as with repeated lines, repeated movements or in game menus. Games, I feel, should feel more like worlds; no two gaming sessions should be alike, and constant linear storylines should be replaced with exciting missions built into a free-will world.

On these grounds, the new video game, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, does not disappoint. The game, whilst offering an almost infinite amount of exciting missions, takes place in what could only be described as a very very (emphasis on the very!) big world. The most striking feature is Hogwarts. This is the Hogwarts we see in our dreams: the detail that has gone into the castle is simply stunning; look out for firm favourites such as the Great Hall and the moving staircases, along with brand new sets such as the towering clock from the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, and a Hogwarts boathouse. The size and scale of the castle is sure to please even the most hardcore of fans.

No Harry Potter game is complete without missions aplenty and once again, this game does not disappoint. Missions range from the helpful (retrieving Colin’s camera from the top of the castle), to the dangerous (battling an angry crowd of Slytherins), to the downright fun (setting off Weasley inventions around Hogwarts). The linear aspect of the previous games is not lost, but is fused into the explorable world, allowing easy transition between following the storyline, and taking time off to do your own thing. Be warned: the missions get harder as the game progresses! And if you do get stuck, there are many mini-games to satisfy while you ponder the main missions. Choose from three very different varieties of gobstones, or wizarding chess in the comfort of the Gryffindor common room. There is even a chess ladder, with each victory allowing you to take on tougher opponents.

Those looking for interaction will also not be disappointed: the game thrives on it. Many of the challenges require personal exchanges with in-game characters, without which progression is impossible. The interaction aspect is also significantly heightened with the spell system built into the game. Throughout the game you ‘learn’ spells which require memorisation, and a deft controller hand to cast. Those gamers who own a Wii are in for a treat: remember the official name for the Wii controller is a wand!

Another point worth mentioning is the in-game menu system. EA have specifically tried to make the game match the movie storyline and have therefore done away with many standard video game devices, such as health bars or lives. This creates a greater sense of being in 'Harry's adventure,' and recreates the Harry Potter story more effectively.

The new video game will not disappoint. It is both an extension of the previous games and an entire game in itself. Whether you are a fan of linear gaming and missions, or free will exploration and discovery, you will get your kicks from this game. It is, more than anything, a game for those who appreciate and understand the complexity of Harry’s world. The wizards at EA have left no stone unturned in producing a game that shows the magical world for what it really is: vast, non-linear and complex.

Definitely a game for the true Harry Potter fan. Oh, and one last cryptic piece of advice: look out for the gargoyles!

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