Ignoring Dobby the house-elf's grave warning that disaster will strike if he returns to Hogwarts, Harry embarks on his second year to find Dobby's predictions coming true. Harry soon finds himself entangled in a dark plot against his Mudblood classmates, as students keep turning up petrified. Could Draco Malfoy be to blame, or is something even more malevolent at work? With the help of returning friends Hermione, Ron, Hagrid, and Hedwig, Harry will attend new classes to learn second-year spells that will aid him in a quest to uncover the true identity of the Heir of Slytherin.

Enter fantastical free-roaming 3D environments from Harry's world, becoming Harry Potter and delving not only into his world but also into his personality, via an internal voice. Conversing with unique characters like Moaning Myrtle, shopping in Diagon Alley, and exploring the convoluted corridors of Hogwarts, you'll make crucial and independent decisions within Harry's world. Additionally, Harry can, of course, cast spells against foes--but these spells must be perfectly executed, or they could be miscast with humorous or critical consequences! Mini-games within levels can be revisited, so players can help Mrs. Weasley with de-gnoming her garden, challenge other students in Professor Lockhart's Duelling Club, or complete other mini-games again and again

Review

With wand in hand and friends in tow, the world's most famous bespectacled wizard returns to the PC in a very welcome 3-D action adventure. And for families in search of a game to enjoy around the computer, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets fits the bill comfortably.

Embellishing the plot of the film and book, the game's main focus is 3-D exploration, as the player controls Harry, interacts with characters and generally pokes around a fabulously realised Hogwarts School. Yet to the game's credit, there's a lot more variety than you'd expect, thanks to its willingness to go off-narrative for a while to introduce a sub-game or added task.

There are several factors worthy of merit. The learning curve is superbly thought out, moving you through the game while you get used to things. Spell casting is fun too--Harry Potter might not be the first game to activate on-screen magic via mouse movements, but it certainly works a treat here. And then there's the graphics and particularly the sound, both of which really do add to the fun.

Downers? Cutting edge entertainment perhaps it isn't, and while the game neatly compiles several styles, it doesn't really define one of its own. Yet for its target family audience, these are minor quibbles, and will do little to detract from the overall fun.

Ultimately, it's a game that's captured the flavour of the Harry Potter world, and instilled it with a sizeable amount of entertainment. It's an enjoyable, thoughtful adaptation, and good fun too. --Simon Brew