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If you’re a die-hard HP fan… well, keep reading the books. If you’re looking for a decent Potter-tinged romp, this is the best one you’re gonna get – at least until the next movie comes out.
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Electronic Gaming MonthlyA simple, solid adventure with smart puzzles and high production values, but it leads its junior wizards through every baby step. [Aug 2004, p.101]
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PSM MagazineThe tri-character gameplay really adds some depth, but Harry Potter newbies will still be left in the dark when trying to follow the narrative. [Aug 2004, p.25]
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A by-the-numbers movie-licensed game that makes pretty good use of its source material without really doing anything too surprising. It's perfect for kids.
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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.
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There's still nothing here that amazes, just a fun game that is worthy of a Potter fan's attention.
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The game is very linear and hopefully one day the EA team will expand this title with a bit more freedom.
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Lets fans romp through a digital version of the film and offers some decent gameplay along the way, but it doesn’t do much else. Provided that’s all you expect from a licensed game, you won’t be entirely disappointed.
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GMR MagazineIt's a fine tie-in game, but it's over rather quickly, offering little in the way of challenge. [Aug 2004, p.93]
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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.
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The framerate is unpredictable. There are control and lock-on issues. There are artificial intelligence oversights. And there are some collision detection problems. Why? There's no excuse.
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While it's true that things have improved, that doesn't mean it's suddenly a great game. While the downplaying of the storyline does help streamline the game, it also makes your goals seem a little disconnected and random.
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Those without pixies and muggles dancing in their heads beforehand are going to find the game a lot less enchanting, but fans of the Potter series will want to consider a brief stay in a reasonable facsimile of the hallowed halls of Hogwart’s.
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Although Prisoner of Azkaban is still aimed at the tween set, it’s more interesting—visually and interactively—than previous Potter games. And yet, Harry’s still got a ways to grow.
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BoomtownIf you’ve never seen the draw of Harry Potter, then perhaps this game isn’t for you, although with nothing too complex to get your head around and the ability to out-magic Malfoy and his troop, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban spells more fun than a lot of movie-to-game conversions.
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A decent licensed title, but it doesn't take any risks, so don't expect an epic adventure.
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I wish I could say that Prisoner of Azkaban was a bold new start for the series. It's not, but this is a significantly better game than either of the previous two entries. [July 2004, p.111]
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As a companion to the movie, it certainly serves its purpose. But as a game that sparks new magic in the genre? That might need to wait for the next film.
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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.
Awards & Rankings
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52
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#52 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004
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User score distribution:
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Positive: 47 out of 66
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Mixed: 17 out of 66
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Negative: 2 out of 66
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Apr 6, 2023
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Jan 1, 2023
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Aug 2, 2022