Product Description

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts and discovers that much of the wizarding community is in denial about the teenager?s recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort, preferring to turn a blind eye to the news that Voldemort has returned. Fearing that Hogwarts? venerable Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is lying about Voldemort?s return in order to undermine his power and take his job, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, appoints a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher to keep watch over Dumbledore and the Hogwarts students. But Professor Dolores Umbridge?s Ministry-approved course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the dark forces threatening them and the entire wizarding community, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry takes matters into his own hands. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves "Dumbledore?s Army," Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead. With the ability to play multiple characters, including Harry Potter, Dumbledore and Sirius Black, the videogame of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix offers fans the opportunity to wield a wand, explore all around Hogwarts, and experience one of the most exciting and dangerous years in the life of the Boy Who Lived.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #199 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Electronic Arts
• Released on: 2007-06-28
• Platform: Nintendo Wii

Amazon.co.uk Review

‘The boy who lived’ is another movie hero whose video game adventures never seem to have matched up to the quality of his films (or books). Rather than simply repeat the predictable third person action of previous games though, this is something a bit different. It’s almost a sort of Grand Theft Auto: Hogwarts (or a variation on The Simpson’s: Hit & Run for those that are too young to know about Rockstar’s naughty blockbusters).

What this means in practical terms is that you’ve got almost the whole of Hogwarts school to explore from the off, with different missions of varying degrees of importance available from different locations. You now control only Harry, with Hermione or Ron reduced to supporting roles, although there are some short sections where you can play as Fred and George Weasley instead. The re-focus on Harry is a result of the sheer number of magical spells available to him now, from standard offensive and defensive magic to summons and levitation spells that help you uncover and unlock the hidden secret of Hogwarts.

Casting spells isn’t as simple as just pressing a button though, as you’re made to actually trace out a magical symbol using the controller (something that works particularly well on the Wii), which adds greatly to the sense of immersion. There’s also a range of similarly controlled mini-games, including wizard chess and gobstones, which you can play either in or out of the game. It’s all a vast improvement on the previous titles, with similarly superior graphics and a general air of effort not usually associated with film tie-ins.
Harrison Dent

Customer Reviews

Getting better
Having played all the previous games (and hating the third person approach similar to EA's Return of the King in the Goblt of Fire) I'd have to say they've probably spent the most money on this one, and you can tell. The sets ARE from the movie, the voices ('cept one or two) ARE from the movie and even some of the music is FINALLY from the movie (only took them this long, didn't it?). If you've been frustrated or let down by how Hogwarts just didn't look like or even resemble the world of the books or films, this one cracks that nut. In fact, it's so big they've had to give you a map to help you out of getting lost.

And no more still-image montages, it's all properly animated (thank goodness). However, there is a knack to casting spells, and depending on your battery power perhaps it can get frustrating. All the bonuses reveal things about how the game was made, including cast interviews, but no secret bean room this time, Harry.

Not the best game I've played, but probably the best in the Franchise to date.

One of the best games around
When i first played the game i was stunned by the graphics. The way the whole game is manufacture is brilliant. It allows you to do tasks, explore hogwarts, do competions, win trophies and see loads of cool clips on the making of the game and movie when you complete a certain amount of things around Hogwarts.
Well worth your money. I advise you not to listen to the people who complain that the Wii remote does not respond to the spells. Once you get the hang of it, like a real wizard or witch would have to, then its a doddle. And besides, when you collect enough points and get to a high level, your spells become very powerful and the wii rmeote becomes much more sensetive to movements making performing spells easy.
i would definitly buy this if you are a Harry Potter fan or want to try a new type of gaming.

Ace!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a good game so far but it is hard to do some stuff. Hogwarts is very big. I have only done 9%. But it is really, really good. I wish that the people could say more. If you do not like waiting a long time and exploring, I do not think you will like this game.

- Rose (age 8)