Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | Nintendo DS

About the Game

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth main title in the Harry Potter series of adaptations, released as a tie-in with the movies and based on the fantasy series by J. It is set in the sixth year of Harry Potter's education at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where most of the game takes place. While exploring the past of Lord Voldemort, Harry's antagonist, mainly through the private tutoring of Dumbledore where collective memories are experienced, Harry will learn of what needs to be done to deal with Voldemort once and for all. Many other characters such as Bellatrix Lestrange, Draco Malfoy and Snape are also present, along with the regular cast.

Story & Setting

At Hogwarts, Harry, the sole character controlled by players, has to perform many quests for other students, such as stopping bullies, collecting ingredients, or even finding back Luna's accessories that have disappeared. Hogwarts can be explored freely and quests are triggered through cutscenes or by talking to other characters. The most important one is the Wand Fight, where Harry battles against other students in direct confrontations or in a global tournament.

Gameplay & Core Systems

The PSP and NDS versions are not a direct, linear adaptation of the movie, but instead take players through a larger universe of the series, with many unrelated characters and tasks, eventually furthering the story through cutscenes. These are stored in a Remembrall log, where names or characters can be highlighted to find their location on the map. Harry has to collect a number of valuables, that act as different currencies, by learning spells at the Charm's class. Spells such as Accio, Depulso, Reducto and Incendio can then be applied to objects in the environment to collect wizard cards, butterbeer, gobstones, chess pieces and stink pellets. He can shoot a magic missile at two different heights and deflect incoming attacks.

Standout Features

• These can be traded with other students a wide range of items, stored in an inventory.
• There game also features mini-games integrated into the main game.
• In addition, potions can be assigned to the directional keys to provide extra offence or defence.
• Harry can also collect a number of trophies and Quidditch player cards.
• Certain sequences offer different gameplay, such as a chase with a first-person shooter interface.