Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

 PC
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
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  1. Gamer's Hell
    85
    It is easy enough for a kid to master and offers enough depth for adults to enjoy.
  2. Worth Playing
    82
    From monster books on the loose, to rascally pixies, to angry ghosts, there’s no shortage of content. On this point alone, I could recommend the game.
  3. AceGamez
    80
    Adds real depth to familiar characters and locations. Gamers not used to the Hogwarts world may still be impressed by the novel approach to the gameplay, the magical graphics and the well-balanced learning curve.
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  5. Computer Games Magazine
    80
    The design throughout is superb, a model of how to drag the player through the game without making it feel like, well, like it's dragging players through the game. [Sept 2004, p.74]
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  6. Times Online
    80
    Assorted reference devices, including the handy Marauder’s Map as well as shields and character cards to collect, add a little more depth to the action. The game remains faithful to the spirit of the book, but it is perhaps a little too linear and predictable.
  7. PC Gamer
    72
    While Prisoner of Azkaban lacks the all-ages appeal of the books and movies, its colorful graphics and not-too-challenging gameplay should certainly do a good job of keeping young kids entertained. [July 2004, p.58]
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  8. Quandary
    70
    I thought sometimes, though, that being the same made it a bit tedious. Getting to play three people (and a bunny) helped make it interesting, and made it more like the books, where Harry often needs his friends' help.
  9. Yahoo!
    70
    The combat difficulty level is forgiving, and the game guides you through the puzzles with helpful clues and hints from the other characters. Less experienced gamers -- who, let's face it, are really the ones the game is aimed at -- will find its light touch very rewarding.
  10. GameSpot
    70
    Exceptionally easy and surprisingly brief, but while it lasts, it's a fun romp for its target audience through Prisoner of Azkaban's twisty storyline.
  11. WHAM! Gaming
    68
    Fans of the books and films will enjoy the chance to explore the Hogwarts grounds and do things like ride Buckbeak the hippogriff and collect all of the Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, but there's not a lot in this game to appeal to your average Muggle.
  12. Gaming Age
    67
    For folks who haven’t endured the phenomenon of HP, you’ll need to start from the beginning before picking this one up.
  13. GameZone
    65
    Harry’s third PC outing falls short with simplistic easy gameplay and won’t hold fans’ attention for too long.
  14. PC Format
    63
    A bit like Paul Daniels, its magic is only really going to work on the kids. [Aug 2004, p.86]
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  15. Computer Gaming World
    60
    For casual gamers and casual Harry Potter fans - diehards may be let down. [Nov 2004, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. Play.tm
    60
    It ticks a number of very basic and previously-defined boxes with unbending efficiency, throwing in a few commendable moments of surprising fun, drenched in the usual superficial fineries (the visuals, recognisable characters, plotlines, set-pieces, et al) with which many an EA game has plied its trade in the past.
  17. eToychest
    60
    Though the game is quite repetitive at times and the story is nearly nonexistent, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is still a refreshingly fun game for both children and adults.
  18. IGN
    60
    The fact that the game actually requires you to backtrack through certain areas to collect all the cards and beans you can find merely indicates that the developers hoped to prolong the experience of playing without necessarily have to worry about adding new content.
  19. GameShark
    50
    Despite all of these somewhat questionable design issues, the title does deliver a rather enjoyable hop n’ bop experience that can easily burn a few hours without demanding too much investment of cerebral activity.
  20. ActionTrip
    49
    With very little effort Harry Potter the Prisoner of Azkaban can be finished in a single evening which indeed stands out as a serious drawback. Once you complete it, chances are slim that you'll want to try the whole thing again.

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004
85
#85 Most Shared PC Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 127 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 127
  2. Mixed: 48 out of 127
  3. Negative: 9 out of 127
  1. DoctorSpaceman
    Jul 5, 2012
    6
    A decent game, but a disappointment compared to its predecessors. (and unfortunately, that downward trend would continue with the series inA decent game, but a disappointment compared to its predecessors. (and unfortunately, that downward trend would continue with the series in the future.) Incredibly short- a few hours should do the trick- and not challenging in the least. Worthwhile if you're a fan, but don't expect too much.… Full Review »
  2. DCH0407
    Sep 10, 2020
    10
    This game is most likely the last great Harry Potter game that was made. I'm most likely very biased in my judgment, given that this game hasThis game is most likely the last great Harry Potter game that was made. I'm most likely very biased in my judgment, given that this game has given me a lot of great memories in my childhood years, but I have to give this game a 10/10. The amount of detail that was put in the exploration of Hogwarts is astounding. Ever since I finished this game as a child, I have not experienced the same amount of joy just from exploring. I'm forever grateful for the existence of this game.… Full Review »
  3. Steeldude
    Jul 9, 2015
    7
    This game is better than Sorcerer's Stone, but worse than Chamber of Secrets.
    The new game play element in this game is the ability to change    This game is better than Sorcerer's Stone, but worse than Chamber of Secrets.
    The new game play element in this game is the ability to change a playable character with each of them knowing different spells. This makes the game more interesting in some parts and the characters can even cast super strong spells by casting them simultaneously.
    There's a decent amount of cards to be collected and even more things other than Bertie Bott's Beans which is welcome. The spell challenges in this game are fun as well and the castle and the surroundings are quite well done, even though not as fun to explore as in CoS.
    Unfortunately, the whole game feels much easier when compared to the previous one and is also much shorter which is a shame.    … Full Review »
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