EA also deserves credit for the voice acting. While it was unable to sign Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson (Harry and Hermione, respectively) to voice their characters, it hired over twenty actors and actresses from the film, including Rupert Grint (Ron), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort) and Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy); all of which do an excellent job. Their performances, combined with EA's direction produce heart warming and intense sequences, particularly the humorous ones. Ron and Hermione, for example, snap at each other just as they do in the movies, further cementing the game's authenticity.
As for the rest of the game, while it involves a lot of at times boring fetch quests, the whole idea of exploring Hogwarts should keep players enthralled. The spell casting system proves equally intriguing, as gamers tilt the right analog stick in various directions to manipulate the environment and battle rival wizards. Fortunately, the 12 spells are easy to cast. To perform Accio (pulling an object), for example, players press down twice. To cast Reparo (puts broken items back together), they rotate the stick clockwise. Other spells involve pushing objects (Depulso), smashing them (Reducto), stunning opponents (Stupefy) and disarming them (Expelliarmus).
Through experimentation, gamers use some of these spells to solve puzzles. Putting paintings back together with the levitation spell (Wingardium Leviosa), launching suits of armor into various poses with Depulso levels up Harry's magical abilities as well as unlocks bonus content, accessed in the Room of Rewards (which showcases trophies and clips featuring interviews with the film's cast).
EA attempted to make the PlayStation 3 version unique with an exclusive SIXAXIS feature. In theory, players cast spells by physically maneuvering the controller. Casting Accio, the pull spell, involves bringing the controller backwards, while Reducto asks gamers to move it left and right. A good idea, just not a practical one, thanks to the controller's unreliability. Players will push, pull and rotate the controller, only to find that it doesn't work and Harry loses a fight (EA sends him to the hospital wing rather than kill him). Thankfully, gamers can switch between the standard/motion controls while pausing the game.
Order of the Phoenix is without question EA's greatest Harry Potter and one of the best movie-based games. The combination of adventuring and the exquisite presentation delivers an authentic and impressive experience that everyone should play. Of course, those seeking to avoid spoilers should buy the game after seeing the film, due out July 11 in the U.S.
Final Score: 8 (out of 10)
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