Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (PlayStation 2) in the U.S.) is the second Harry Potter video game for the .

Description
The Harry Potter franchise made a fairly passable jump to game consoles last year when EA released games based on the movie adaptation of the first novel in the series. The franchise's rich tale of a young boy's adventure as a wizard-in-training has all the gameplay and story elements needed for a video game pretty much built in. While the book that the film was based on has had a far-reaching appeal that's crossed age barriers, the games were definitely skewed toward younger players. Fortunately, the follow-up, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for the PlayStation 2, manages to come far closer to capturing the franchise's appeal. Offering a polished mix of strong graphics and solid gameplay, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a marked improvement over its predecessor.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets follows a pretty standard linear structure that suits the story well. The action is broken up into daylong increments. You'll be given objectives to complete at the start of each day, ranging from clearing gnomes out of a garden to attending class and learning a spell. You'll find that your to-do list will grow as you complete tasks, resulting in some long, adventure-filled days. While the game does take some dramatic license, fans of the movie and book will be pleased to be able to participate in many of the key action sequences integral to the story. Your time in the game will be nicely balanced between exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. In addition to the main set of objectives you'll have to complete to progress through the game, you'll also find a meaty selection of minigames you can play, such as Quidditch, assorted gnome-centric diversions, broomstick races, and side quests to track down collectible Wizard Cards.

The game's audio offers a more consistent experience, with a solid level of quality throughout the game. The voice acting is strong, and the musical score is effective at maintaining the tone of the game.

Characters

 * Harry Potter
 * Ron Weasley
 * Hermione Granger
 * Gilderoy Lockhart
 * Fawkes
 * Vincent Crabbe
 * Gregory Goyle
 * Draco Malfoy
 * Rubeus Hagrid
 * Aragog
 * Tom Riddle
 * Moaning Myrtle

Behind the scenes

 * Colin and Justin are omitted in the PS2/Xbox/Gamecube/PC versions of the game. Dobby is also absent from the game in the PS2/Xbox/Gamecube versions. The only appearance that Dobby makes in the PC version is in a cutscene at the very start in which he warns Harry not to go to Hogwarts.


 * In the PS2/Xbox/Gamecube version, the Dueling Club happens in the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom instead of the Great Hall.


 * Sir Nicholas and Hermione are the only people who get petrified by the Basilisk in the PS2/Xbox/Gamecube versions.


 * In the PC/MAC and the PS2 version, the Basilisk lands on the diary, and in the Xbox/Gamecube version, the Basilisk's fang flies up in the air and lands on the diary, when in the book and movie (And PS1/GBC version), Harry stabs it himself. Harry stabs the diary with the sword in the GBC version of the game.


 * In the Gamecube/ PS2/ Xbox versions of the game, Hufflepuffs wear purple robes rather than their usual yellow.


 * In the PC, MAC, Xbox, GC, and PS2 games, Ron states that the Ford Anglia is parked in Charing Cross Road. This is a real London street and the location in the Harry Potter universe of theLeaky Cauldron.


 * In PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube versions, Hermione is present during the House Point ceremony even though she was attacked by the Basilisk, especially since she, unlike in the movie/book, recovers much earlier.