The latest Harry Potter film, The Prisoner Of Azkaban, has hit the cinema and J.K. Rowling's characters have again caught the public eye and imagination. It goes without saying that there's also a game available on all console formats and while the film definitely has Rowling's stamp of approval, it's up to the games playing public to decide if this title carries the same magical seal of quality. Previous outings have been disappointing for adults but the kids have lapped them up.

Set in a world where us ordinary folk, the Muggles, are largely unaware of magical going-ons, it's another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Right from the outset there is an air of tension after the news of Sirius Black's escape from the dread wizard prison, Azkaban. Black had been imprisoned for the murder of Harry Potter's parents, along with a bunch of muggles as well, and the staff at Hogwarts are all concerned he'll come after the young wizard-in-learning. However, Harry and his chums Hermione and Ron will soon realise that all is not as it appears. But then again, it never is when it comes to Harry Potter and that's part of the reason why we love it so much.

The story is represented faithfully in the gameplay, although there is quite a lot thrown in for good measure. Depicted from a third person perspective and set within the walls of Hogwarts School, this game differs from the last in that you get to flip between Harry, Ron and Hermione at regular intervals. Each character has different specialities; Harry can jump long distances, Ron can spot secret passages and Hermione can get under tight openings and into small passages. It's easy to flip between the three - a quick push of a button and you're in their shoes. This is essential throughout the game to solve puzzles. Trapped in a room? Maybe Ron can find a secret way out. A big chasm in front of you? Maybe Harry can leap it. Need to chase after a small magical creature? Hermione should be able to get into that small opening it's trying to escape down.

This feature is used carefully and adds depth to the gameplay, as do the puzzles you're out to solve. In fact, adults are probably going to find some puzzles as brain-bending as the children do. One good example is a switch high up on a ledge that is partially covered. Three tiles on the floor reveal more of the switch as each character stands upon them. However, move a character off the tile and the switch is covered again. There is a box to one side and if you move that onto a tile the switch remains uncovered and one character can try and get to the switch. After doing all this I soon realised I needed the box to be able to jump onto the ledge to get the switch, but moving the box off the tile covered the switch up again! Aaargh! I was tearing my hair out over that one for ages. I won't tell you how I solved it in the end, as I don't want to spoil the game, but needless to say it took a bit of lateral thing, as do all the puzzles in this game. Although they aren't particularly groundbreaking and in some cases not at all original, they keep the old grey matter working.

However, it's not all solving puzzles. There's a great deal of exploration to do and magical creatures to take on as well. As if this weren't enough, Harry and chums have to make it to their classes on time and do their homework before going to bed. You're given a task list and you must try and accomplish as many as possible before getting any shuteye. The Potions class, taught by the sadistic Professor Snape, is the one you're most likely to get homework from, the first lot being the onerous task of collecting ingredients for vile concoctions. There's also an awful lot going on besides classes, including magical shoot-outs with students from Slytherin, such as the loathsome Draco Malfoy, and rescue missions helping fellow Gryffindor House pupils get out of nasty tricks and traps set by Draco and his cronies.

Each task does have a reward when completed, which is usually learning a new spell, although you can also collect cards that show famous (and infamous!) wizard celebrities and pages from your bestiary that give hints and tips on defeating magical creatures. There's yet more, as you can fly Hedwig, Harry's owl, when you collect owl treats and even get the opportunity to take Buckbeak, a hippogriff with the body of a horse and the wings and head of a falcon, for a swing around the ramparts of the castle. There's plenty going on to keep you amused!

The spells themselves are many and varied, again each character has a speciality, although all start off with Flipendo, which knocks creatures backwards. Harry can use Carpe Retractum to move heavy objects and Expecto Patronum to see off the eerie Dementors, while Ron can use Lumos Duo to light the way and spot easily hidden creatures. Hermione can use (amongst many) Reparo to mend things. How and when you use these spells really does depend at what stage you are in the game, how much you've learnt and who you're up against. For example, Hermione found a great spell, Glacius, which sends an icy magical field over anything in front of her, that became essential when she wanted to cross some molten rock and take on a magical furnace monster.

While finding your way around, learning spells, solving puzzles and taking on bad denizens of the castle will keep you amused, you'll be pleased to hear that the graphics are quite impressive too. The spells when cast send a great shimmering swathe of coloured light through the air and look quite spectacular when they hit their chosen target. As each spell differs greatly you're going to see quite a cavalcade of showering magical light, as well as their associated effects. The denizens you use these on are many and varied, including imps, ghouls and of course the spooky dementors. While the blue dancing and flying imps look suitably mischievous and the ghouls are woebegone, they're cartoonish enough for a child's game. The dementors, on the other hand, are far more eerie than in the film. They've really captured well the kind of flowing movement Rowling describes in her books, including a very spectral grim reaper approach. You'll find a whole host of other creatures too, such as fiery end of level baddies, lovely feathered owls and the beautifully rendered Buckbeak.

Flying Buckbeak around the castle in the later stages of the game really is quite spectacular and probably the best use of the landscapes. The sweeping ramparts, nooks and crannies of Hogwarts School are all there in great detail, look very majestic and it's just the place you'd imagine to be, full of student practitioners of magic. The interior of the castle looks great too, particularly the grand staircase with the moving stairs and pictures from top to bottom. Unfortunately the paintings only move at various parts of the game, such as advancing plot or participating in some of the puzzles. This was a slight let down, as some painting animation would have been in keeping with both the book and film but it's a minor niggle really. Besides the areas the Potter devotee may be familiar with, there are also completely new areas to explore, which although not having the reference material of the book or film to rely on are very well textured, detailed and designed.

The sound does well to add to the atmosphere and effect of a magical place to learn. The whoosh and fizzle of spells being cast and their effects on the recipients, are suitably impressive and in some instances quite subtle. I particularly liked the light tinkling sound of creatures frozen by the Glacius spell being shattered by Flipendo. Also, as you make your way from class to class there is a general bubble of sound, as if many of the child occupants are talking quietly to one another. One fiery bad guy, a medley of torches, red hot cauldrons and blasts of flame had marvellous crackling and roaring sound effects associated with him, as if he was a fireplace gone mad. It certainly added to the excitement of that level.

I'm not sure the music is as successful but it plays in the background for the most part, only rising to crescendos during the appearance of mythical beasts or during particularly tight spots. It certainly doesn't detract from the game, unlike the continual wittering of the characters you play. The voice acting is quite good but it's incredibly repetitive while you're playing. The topics of discussion usually relate to their powers, such as Ron's trapdoor finding or Hermione's ability to get under small gaps. If I hear Ron say "There might be something over here," or Harry say "Perhaps I can help?" just one more time I may be forced to do something unnecessary and not at all magical. It's a shame, as this detraction from the sound could have been solved with just a bit more variety.

Prisoner of Azkaban does represent value for money though. If you're stuck on a puzzle or have even completed the game you can try some of the mini-games you gradually unlock. These include the Duelling Club, Owl Racing and the Hippogriff Flight Challenge. I particularly like the Owl Racing, which has you flapping Hedwig's wings furiously as you tried to keep up with the other owls, as well as guiding him through coloured rings a la the flying in the Spyro series. However, the main game alone will keep you occupied for a while, particularly if you want to collect all of Hermione's statues and complete both the Folio Bruti and Folio Universitas.

Fans of Harry and chums are definitely going to enjoy Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, which adds real depth to familiar characters and locations. Gamers not used to the Hogwarts world may still be impressed by the novel approach to the gameplay, the magical graphics and the well-balanced learning curve. Although the sound lets the side down just a little, both adults and children alike should become immersed in this world - although the adults may have to turn to the kids occasionally for help in solving the spellbinding puzzles! J.K. Rowling should be proud.

Reviewed by Dave Wynn for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).