| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this game is based on the movie version of the first Harry Potter book. Action involves finding items, exploring scenes, and occasionally battling fantasy beings, and the worst damage seen is when Harry faints or his opponent runs away. The story is presented in a fantasy-based and light-hearted manner rather than as advocating a serious or realistic life pursuit of witchcraft and wizardry. The story provides good role modeling of courage and ingenuity while addressing the realities of bullies and some other issues children face.
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE is a fun video game that is based on the book and movie, but can also stand alone in its own right. You explore Hogwarts, finding secret rooms and prizes while interacting with characters from the story. There is also a series of missions, such as learning spells, collecting items like fire seeds for Hagrid the giant, and outrunning the Ogre and saving Hermione. The game also allows you to play Quidditch, a ball game played on broomsticks.
The game is quite enjoyable, especially for younger children as it doesn't require high levels of coordination to play. It may be easy for older players, but they often can be held by the joy of exploring Hogwarts. The game offers a wide variety of missions, so it is likely there will be something for everyone.
This is a fantasy game about a boy at a wizard's school, but it doesn't appear to advocate negative views of religion, and in general the story provides good role modeling of courage and ingenuity while addressing the realities of bullies and some other issues children face.
Families can talk about the Harry Potter series. Does this game stay true to the book? Is it how you had imagined this world would look? Do you like the books, movies or video games best? How do you think the game handles the issue of being bullied? If your family was sorted into houses, who would be where?
| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Platforms: | PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Role Playing |
| Developer: | Electronic Arts |
| Release date: | September 25, 2003 |
| Price: | $39.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E |
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