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Kevin Kwong

YOU HAVE READ the book and watched the movie. Now, you can play the computer game. Released last month, the PC version of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone  (the British title of J.K. Rowling's bestseller) has shot to the top of the United States computer game charts, beating other phenomenal successes such as The Sims: Hot Date, Backyard Basketball and Survivor: The Interactive Game.

Needless to say, the game was on every child's wish list this Christmas.

Other than its excellent graphics, perhaps the most attractive feature of the game is that it remains faithful to the book, which has been made into a blockbuster movie.

Though aimed at the eight to 14 age group, I decided to see if the game truly lives up to the hype.

And before I can say 'Wingardium Leviosa!'  I am totally spellbound.

The player takes on Harry's role and enters the magical world of Hogwart's School of Witchcraft. There, he must make friends, take lessons in charms, potions and defence against the dark arts, learn to play Quidditch and score points for his house, Gryffindors.

But the ultimate challenge is to face (and defeat) the ultra-evil you-know-who - Voldemort.

My first task in playing the game is to master the controls - how to jump and climb - which is easy, given that the mischievous Weasley twins Fred and George are on hand to show me the ropes.

Then I have to make sure I get to my classes on time, which also poses no problem.

However, things get more difficult as I take my first lesson in defence against the dark arts with the stammering Professor Quirrell. My first attempt in casting a spell, although not hard at all, is abysmal. Having 'traced' the spell in the form of a symbol on the screen with my mouse some 20 times, I still could not master it.

After struggling for another 15 minutes or so, I discover that my wand has not been activated in the options menu! Once corrected, I sail happily through the exercise and earn Gryffindors 15 points.

The next major hurdle is to find the secret rooms that hold Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, which I can trade with the Weasley twins for wizard cards. It is at this stage that I keep falling off some moving blocks, which means I have to start the challenge all over again.

The good news is, Harry (or I) cannot die.

There are 25 witch and wizard cards to collect and there are plenty of sub-games to keep players busy and entertained.

I have just started my adventure and reviews of the game warn that there are many challenges ahead, including an encounter with the Troll in the girls' washroom!

Tips? Make sure you save your game at every opportunity, otherwise you go right back to the start of a particular challenge and all your efforts are wasted.

The game, jointly released by Warner Bros. and Electronic Arts, costs between $250 and $300.

Once you get a copy though, there is one other hurdle: How are you going to find the time to do your homework?



The Harry Potter computer game has plenty going on to keep players busy and entertained