System: X360, PS3, Wii, PC, PS2, DS, PSP, GBA
Dev: EA UK
Pub: EA
Release: June 26, 2007
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
Review by Matthew Walker

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

For the controls of the game, I have to ask a question - have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a wizard or witch? If the answer to that question is yes, then you need to look no further than Harry on the Wii. I'll have to admit that I was leery when I first heard that the game was going to use the Wii-mote and Nunchuk motion sensing capabilities. Thankfully, EA delivered on this aspect as well. With just a flick of your wrist in a certain direction, you find yourself performing some of the memorable spells Harry and his friends have cast over the years, including Wingardium Leviosa, Accio, and Raparo, to name only a few. These will be used in the dueling aspect of the game as well as throughout the adventures you encounter. If you do not feel yourself immersed completely into the wizarding world, maybe you should start saying the spells as you perform them in the game.

If my rant about the beauty of Hogwarts was any indication, then I am sure you already know how I feel about the graphics of the game. In case you don't, they are close to being the best I have seen on the Wii. The character models are astounding and, with the size of Hogwarts, I almost expected there to be a few lag issues, but to my pleasant surprise no such follies popped up. There are a couple of small problems and these come from the framerate being a little sticky or the semi-loading you will experience. For instance, if running through Hogwarts, you might find yourself slowed into just walking while the screen seamlessly loads the next area. Even though these are small issues, they may hinder gameplay for some. The score is phenomenal and nothing short of awe-inspiring. While mesmerizing the senses with its score, the game's voice acting is almost overlooked, and considering the exceptional job done, no one would want to do that. Several members of the film's cast lend their voices to the game. The authentication of the game is amplified by their performance throughout the title.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has several things going for it. Rolling all of these little things into one beautiful package is something that EA has done an exceptional job at. Even with it few faults, this latest adventure of Harry and friends surpasses the other games in the series - hands down. If you are a fan of Harry and his many tales of triumph, then this game is definitely worth your time. I would even go as far to say that if you have always wanted to see what the hubbub was, then this is the one that will suck you into the mythos of the Dark Lord and the Boy Who Lived.

By Matthew Walker
CCC Project Coordinator

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