I'm a huge believer in the potential of Kinect for XBOX - although I don't feel it has completely found its footing yet. It excels as a UI control / voice activated device, and a few select games (the highly uneven KINECT STAR WARS, for example) hint tantalizingly at Kinect's ultimate potential. I do feel Kinect is far more than the mere "novelty" some folks profess it to be...I truly think there is tremendous potential here, and believe that said potential is nothing short of wondrous. I just don't think it's "there yet." As a result, many Kinect games don't fee as fully realized as they otherwise might...resulting in product which often feel more like a demo or tease than fully developed releases. Word is the upcoming next generation XBOX will feature a significantly amped up Kinect functionality...I'm very much looking forward to seeing how this unfolds first hand.
While HARRY POTTER FOR KINECT is certainly no wash out by any measure, it may be difficult for more serious gamers not to mull the matters above when making their way through it. Asking its players to pursue relatively simple objectives within abbreviated level structures, HARRY POTTER FOR KINECT frequently feels more like a youth-based HARRY POTTER simulation than an in-depth gaming experience. And if one is considering HPK for younglings who are, say, around 5-10 (despite its 10+ rating)? HPK might/should work very well for them indeed.
HPFK asks its players to (virtually) plant screaming and wiggling Mandrake roots...
...deploys participants to chase Snitches in heated Quidditch matches (during the competition, the player's broom rider must kick and punch opponents via Kinect - this interactivity works particularly well)...
...and asks that potions be delicately mixed - less they explode in our face. It's fun stuff to be sure, and will almost certainly catch the attention of HARRY POTTER loving youth. But unlike, say, some of LEGO's console product...cross-generation interest is likely to be slim.
While actual gameplay mechanics should be more or less manageable by kids accustomed to XBOX and/or Kinect, they'll likely need some help with some earlier set-up/menuing, which is laid out logically but not entirely intuitively.
Recommended emphasizing the caveats mentioned above, HARRY POTTER KINECT is now available for the XBOX 360 HERE.
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Glen Oliver
