Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
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  1. Gaming Age
    83
    Much like the film and the book, is possibly the best in the series.
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    80
    A cracking game. [Sept 2009, p.108]
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  3. GameDaily
    80
    While EA did a poor job fleshing out the story, some of the sound-alikes aren't nearly as good as the film's cast (Snape doesn't even sound close) and a few facial animations look bizarre, but for the most part, Half-Blood Prince is one of the best Harry Potter games we've played.
  5. Vandal
    78
    Electronic Arts has proved how to make good use of a character license, offering hours of fun and a magic world to explore.
  6. IGN
    77
    It's not groundbreaking and it's not the most engaging experience in the world, but there is something fun about dropping worms into a cauldron and desperately looking for 150 hidden crests.
  7. Gamer 2.0
    76
    Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a title that gets a lot of stuff right because of its glorious presentation of Hogwarts and interesting bits of gameplay with the potions and duels.

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 37
  3. Negative: 13 out of 37
  1. NoahsNexus
    Apr 6, 2023
    8
    Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is an enjoyable game that captures the essence of the books and movies but doesn't quite reach its fullHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is an enjoyable game that captures the essence of the books and movies but doesn't quite reach its full potential. The game follows the story of the sixth book in the series and allows you to explore Hogwarts, attend classes, and interact with characters from the Harry Potter universe.

    The graphics are good, with detailed environments and character models that resemble the actors from the movies. The music is also well-done, with themes that evoke the magic and wonder of the Harry Potter world. The controls are responsive, although the camera can be a bit finicky at times.

    The gameplay is a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and mini-games, with occasional combat sections. The game's highlight is the potion-making mechanic, which requires you to collect ingredients and brew different potions using a variety of gestures and movements with the PlayStation Move controller. The potion-making is fun and engaging, although it can get repetitive after a while.

    The main downside of the game is its pacing. The story progresses slowly, with lots of dialogue and cutscenes that can feel tedious at times. The combat sections are also not very challenging, and the puzzles can be a bit too easy for experienced gamers.

    Overall, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a decent game that will appeal to fans of the series. However, it falls short of being a truly magical experience due to its slow pace and lack of challenge. If you're a casual gamer or a Harry Potter fan, this game is worth checking out, but if you're looking for a more engaging and challenging experience, you might want to look elsewhere.    … Full Review »
  2. piuscorvus
    Jun 9, 2022
    6
    Half-Blood fixed plenty of issues from the previous game and the gameplay feels a lot smoother. However, the honest Harry Potter fans will notHalf-Blood fixed plenty of issues from the previous game and the gameplay feels a lot smoother. However, the honest Harry Potter fans will not like this game just as they were not happy with the previous one for the obvious reason: a horrible delivery of an originally amazing story.… Full Review »
  3. doomfist229
    Aug 17, 2018
    0
    This is just a collection of three below average mini games with little or no attempt to maintain a storyline. You spend the entire gameThis is just a collection of three below average mini games with little or no attempt to maintain a storyline. You spend the entire game playing quidditch, making potions or dueling with people. The reproduction of hogwarts is half decent and good for a bit of an explore but thats about all this game has going for it.… Full Review »
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