Harry Potter has, to date, fared surprisingly well when it comes to computer games. If you can allow your memory to scrub the simplistic and shallow 'Quidditch World Cup' release of last Christmas, you'd be hard pushed to say that the titles, tied closely to the films, have disappointed their target audience.

And as this is an EA licensed game, you won't be overwhelmed by the news that the developers have decided to stick to their winning formula. Thus, an initial warning. If you're planning to see the Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban movie, do so before you play this, else much will be revealed.

In effect, you're put in the midst of the latest movie, although in a refreshing change from the previous games, here you take control of not just Harry, but also his frequently irritating companions Ron and Hermione. This actually works quite well, as the narrative takes you through the story, stopping regularly to give you something to do. Often you'll be faced with tasks that require one of the trio to take the lead, or two or three to work as a team. Once each task is complete, it's on with a bit more storytelling.

The developers have struck a neat balance, to be fair, as it's remarkably easy to introduce that famed gaming convention, Death-By-Cut-Scenes. Not so here. Particularly for the younger Potter fans, the marriage of story and gaming is well managed. The younger player will also appreciate the level at which the difficulty level is pitched. It's stupendously easy to get to grips with, and the various puzzles that you'll be presented with rarely require much to sort out.

And even if you do struggle, the game finds ways to give you the odd clue to nudge you along. Add in the fact that the spell casting and bits of combat can be a hoot, and young Master Potter is not faring badly at all.

And that's because it's really all quite enjoyable while it lasts. The game world is lively and fun to be a part of, and the game does give you time to explore it and have a good mooch around. It's structured enough to make sure that a particular challenge is never too far away, though.

Still, in spite of serving up cards to collect and a few mini-games, the reality is that Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban isn't going to last any gamer of even moderate experience very long. And that's a pity, for what's there - while hardly groundbreaking - is pleasing enough. And, coming back to that target audience, they're likely to have a great time with it. Whether they'll play it again once they've been through it once is far less certain.

Verdict
This is good stuff while it lasts, and arguably Harry's best gaming outing yet. It's overly conventional and too short for our liking, but Potter fans will almost certainly get a lot out of it.

Company: Electronic Arts

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