Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (PC CD)

The game follows the story of the book closely, which I think adds to the enjoyment of the game as a whole. Because of the added freedom, as you play this game, it really feels as though you are at the school. the time you have to explore results in being able to discover a lot more secret rooms and Wizard Cards than the original. It is due to this freedom that made me realise just how much bigger this game is than the first; I have got to the end of my first loaded game and I haven't been able to find any of the gold Wizard Cards yet, proving there is a lot I still have to discover.

A few other points of advice; this game includes a Wizard trading system for the Bertie Botts Beans, a great feature which you should make good use of. Look out for students trading Wiggentree Bark and Flobbeworm Mucous (you need these for Wiggenweld Potion - you'll lots of this for the end). Also, take part in the duelling competition and quidditch competition. On my first go, I neglected these and because of that my House Point score wasn't very high.

I have really enjoyed this game, it is very addictive, for people of all ages. Even if the first one disappointed you slightly, buy this and try it - I doubt you'll be disappointed with this one.

The emphasis is on exploration and problem solving, rather than the tedious prefect-avoiding, spell-confusing nonsense of the console game.

The controls and general set up are similar to the Philosopher's Stone game but generally better (although I'm one of the few who preferred the "learn the spell" version in Philosopher's Stone). Quidditch is better - it's actually fun! Wizard duelling is also a nice addition although too easy (the console version is equally too easy to become Number 1)

There's a stronger narrative from the film version than the last game, so those who've seen the film (or read the book) will recognise what's coming.

All in all a very highly recommended PC game. well done EA!

There are some rather significant changes from the first Harry Potter game. First and foremost is the ability to now skip through cut scenes; I did a lot of the challenges several times in order to accrue as many House Points as possible, and it was wonderful to be able to skip right past the opening scenes each time. The way you learn spells has also undergone a radical change; I prefer the old way, but this new method probably makes things easier for younger players. Speaking of something being easier, the Quidditch matches (and there are six of them, each of which you can replay as many times as you like) are radically different. The first game's Quidditch play was fun, but at times I thought I would never be able to grab the Snitch. In this game, Harry automatically follows the Snitch, making for much shorter matches. The fun part here, though, is the fact that you must battle your opposing Seeker; this means that you get to kick and punch the other player around, a most satisfying experience when you are going up against Slytherin and their new Seeker Draco Malfoy. The championship match even takes you underneath the trenches, trying to dodge wooden beams while giving Draco the business. Another great addition to this game is wizard dueling. Not only is it great fun to duel your classmates, it provides an easy way for you to increase your supply of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. These beans serve as the method of exchange on campus, and with them you can buy all sorts of wonderful things, from a Nimbus 2001 to Flobberworm Mucous to wizard cards. Wizard cards are important, and they, like the beans, can be found all over Hogwarts. There are fifty bronze wizard cards to collect, and each tenth card you find provides you with an additional stamina level. If you find all forty silver wizard cards, you get access to a special room. Even if you complete all your tasks, you will want to find or buy enough silver wizard cards to gain entrance to this room because here a final challenge awaits you, promising eleven gold wizard cards of the most important wizards in the world (guess who number eleven is?).

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets also makes it easy to maintain your health (although falling into pits, which I frequently did, pretty much turns you into the boy who didn't live); you can locate and/or buy Flobberworm Mucous and Wiggentree Bark, the essential ingredients needed to concoct Wiggenweld Potion. This potion restores stamina, and my best advice to the future player is to acquire as much of this healing potion as you can before taking on the basilisk. You can win beans by dueling, so any time you find yourself in need of more funds, just zip down to the Great Hall and show your opponents what you are made of. I was woefully unprepared for my first two confrontations with the basilisk, but I actually didn't mind because it gave me an excuse to start a new game and do everything again. It takes longer than you might think to actually complete Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and I have no thoughts of putting this game away now. It is as much fun to play the second or third time through as it is the first.