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I grew up reading and playing them in another language, and the translator had really gone all in trying to come up with fitting variants for the originals in English. “Flippendo” was called “Vippendo”, and I don’t think I ever noticed that the spell wasn’t mentioned in the books. I think JKR wrote the bios on the Wizard Cards you collect in the game, but I remember finding one card in the first came, of a witch who died in 1997 – JKR probably hadn’t decided when the books take place at that time…
The later levels in “The Philosopher’s Stone” are the most atmospheric out of the games IMHO; after the Fire Seed Caves and the Quidditch match you begin in the Entrance Hall, and the game really allows you to go exploring as you make your way to Defence Against the Dark Arts class.
The next level is the Lumos Challenge, perhaps my favourite level out of all. Hardly any music in this level – just ambient sounds of outside wind and the empty rooms and hallways. It is the darkest level so far, visually, so the Lumos spell really shines here. There are lots of dark blues and purples throughout the level, and it uses darkness and shadows brilliantly – the painted glass windows contrasts nicely in the dimmed rooms.
The Potions class in the dungeons is even darker still – both visually and thematically.
It is a shame they never went for a similar atmosphere in the second game, “Chamber of Secrets”, and I think the reason is the story is a lot darker, and it would have been too much for a children’s game. The music is beautiful though, and helps set the mood nicely. The game is really vivid, with strong, vibrant colours throughout, and the game is much more open than the first – you can run around and explore and interact with people way more than in the first game. And there are more things to pick up in the secret rooms you find, other than the Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans.
The third game is a lot of fun too, but way too short. It skips a lot of stuff, and I don’t think the makeover everything got, beginning with the third movie is as appealing. Everything is too grimdark and desaturatedPost too long. Click here to view the full text.
