Bijou's Full Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for Game Boy...
Prelude to a RPG
My son, The Vanilla Sheik* owns the Playstation version of the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone video game, which officially sucked hours away from my life as we "helped" Harry through his quest and have yet to complete the last stages of the game. Immersed in all things Potter, "Santa" (who looks mighty fine in red nail polish, thanks) purchased the Game Boy Color edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which we have now been playing intermittently for several days. There is nothing better than hunkering down with a solid RPG and questing to the point of sheer madness--fine I can think of a few things, but Fine Consumer! Let me lead you down the windy trail of the Harry Potter game.
Random Fact One: The game is entitled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in the opening sequence because that was its original title before it was deemed too dull--hence the "Sorcerer's Stone" amendment. Don't be confused when you turn on the game and see this title there; you did not purchase the wrong game!!
This game appeals to all age groups, which I like, since it has to entertain my juvenile mind. It features the same basic plot line of the novel, and familiar characters such as Ronald Weasely, Hermione Granger, Professor Snape (and yes, his hair is Alan Rickman length), Rubeus Hagrid and Professor Dumbledore. Time passes accordingly, marked by hourglasses and a changing calendar. Through linear game play, Harry meets new challenges that are thankfully different from the Playstation version of the game. For example, Harry has the ability to learn Potion recipes and mix his own potions--helpful when we learn of a battle to come--and the ingredients are free and plentiful. All of the events require experience in class (a plug for education, even if it is to levitate stools and study television in "Muggle Studies") so that Harry can manage more difficult spells and battles.
There is a cutaway scene (think Paper Mario for Nintendo 64) each time Harry encounters an enemy, which range from small to large rats, bats, trolls, spiders (ewww), fire-breathing turtles and chickens. (List not all encompassing--insert quarter for more.) When Harry has vanquished his foe, the enemy runs off with a defeated squeal, thus preventing any "death" scenes to offend players. Perhaps they recover (as Harry does) in Madame Pomfrey's Infirmary?
Harry has at his disposal a cache of spells to use during a battle sequence. Additionally, he may collect Famous Wizard and Witches Trading Cards during his journey that when combined, will assist him in battle. Some of these combinations (found in his Folio Triplicus) prove to be a waste of time or aid an opponent, and you won't be certain of their powers until employed in battle (or at another point during the quest). Yet life is full of unpleasant surprises, and for a fledgling wizard, life works just the same way.
These cards can be found littering nooks and hallways; although they remain unseen, use the "A" button to find them. Additionally, the ever-resourceful Weasely brothers run a Card Collectors Club where they buy and sell a variety of helpful items, including Chocolate Frogs. In each package of Frogs comes a Wizard & Witches card that may prove helpful. Keep in mind that many of the more common cards are expendable and may only be used once, so you may have to buy many (MANY!) Chocolate Frogs with your hard-earned Silver Sickles. You can also link up with your friends in this room and trade cards to complete a full set; however, this isn't required to complete the game.
Ten Points for Gryffindor and No Quidditch for You, Lad!
While many of the plot developments echo the novel (finding The Mirror of Erised is one of these--and why did it take me so long in this game to find this fantasical reflecting glass?). Harry playing Quidditch is unfortunately missing. At one point, Harry learns to fly and perform a fun chase scene, but without Quidditch, the glory of Harry's Nimbus 2000 remains out of reach. Harry is still a top-notch wizard, even without getting the Snitch.
Harry can earn points for Gryffindor house by performing certain tasks under a time limit, or for general feats of bravery. He may lose points if doing something sneaky (ahh, the things a Mistress could do with an Invisibility Cloak); stay away from Professor Severus Snape if you are traversing the hallways at night. Also, Caretaker Filch and his sidekick cat are lurking the darkened hallways. If you are caught, it's ten points taken from Gryffindor (and a smack on the ole' Potter wrist)!!
Random Fact Two: Sorcerers are magicians who practice the Dark Arts.
I was impressed with the color and image quality--graphically the only complaint I have was when it is night--the darker screen makes playing difficult without a Worm Light or another plug-in light source. Not that this stopped me from straining my eyes to battle Draco Malfoy and other insidious enemies. The soundtrack/score (can there be a "score" for GBC? Why not?) is a bit repetitive but not ear-splitting irritating. The music is quite good and lends to the atmosphere of this 2D adventure.
The Final Battle is appropriately difficult and fortunately, Harry never "dies"--the game has "Infinite Continues" as the Vanilla Sheik calls them, so he recovers in the Infirmary or is bolstered by a well-positioned friend avec Potions. I am unsure as to whether I would replay this game--without Quidditch to spice things up, or a variety of Bonus Levels, to trek through the 7 floors of Hogwarts and the spacious grounds again would be tedious.
Have an Every Flavor Bean on Me
I recommend Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for anyone who has read one (or all!) of the novels, or for someone who enjoys role-playing games and questing wizard-style. It's also great for teachers who are loitering on Winter Break rather than doing anything remotely scholarly--I sort of wished I were teaching in Hogwarts, where I could transform into a cat when I wished to torment my pupils. Alas, this game has enough fantasy in it for everyone.
Now if only I could find a link cable long enough to stretch to the Canadian Tundra...
Random Fact Three: "Grass"-flavored Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans tastes exactly (and I mean exactly) like a blade of grass. What is up with that?
*Note: The Vanilla Sheik is a registered pseudonym referring to my son and how he steals all of my Body Shop Bath Gel to wash his bod.
Great to Play While: Battling the Stomach Flu or Avoiding Conversation at Dinner
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