So is it any fun to play? Well, I was certainly entertained, as there’s always something to do - a previously undiscovered room to explore, new things to do with the spells you learn along the way (which you find out for yourself just by wandering about on your own, or just speaking to the other students). All in all a lively and interesting experience, that’s quite immersive, especially for kids.

Sounds are good as well, the fits in with the genre and its not too Mario-Bros style (i.e. ear-bleedingly irritating). Other bonus points include the different sounds and names of the spells you use - which Harry shouts every time you change to a different spell.

All in all, it’s easy to play and good fun - pure entertainment. The puzzles you face aren’t exactly mensa-grade stuff, but you’ll probably have to take a few minutes before working out the proper way to do things – making it not too difficult for kiddies, but not mind-numbingly patronising for all of us adult fans too. (Except for the Quidditch games – which were bloody hard, unless it’s just me being particularly inept).

The only problem that presented itself to me was that I may have finished it a little too quickly (but that’s probably a good thing, bed-sores from obsessive game-play aren’t an attractive feature for a girl), and was left wondering what would have happened if I went into that room I saw earlier and thought I’d go into later.... but I suppose that’s the beauty of being able to play things again - at least it isn't money wasted.

One slight disappointment though: the end was a bit of an anti-climax. I defeated Lord Voldemort, the story started again with the familiar description of Harry wandering into the great hall and being faced with the Slytherin team colours, as they had won the house cup. Dumbledore announces that recent events have to be taken into account (as I beam proudly that I actually finished the game) and that 60 points are awarded to Gryffindor House (Hurrah). However, my feelings of pride (along with the imaginary Griffindor table's) that should come from a nicely rounded congratulatory end of game climax were dashed with the words "until they realised that 60 points was not enough. So Slytherin had won after all. The End". Tad disappointing really. And I was the only that was crap at Quidditch.

Overall though, Harry’s magic touch seems to have done it again, conjuring up a game which makes getting cramp in your thumbs almost a worthy pass-time.

90%

By Keri Webster