In my books, this is a huge game. Its also a real test whether a Wii title for something like this can be better (or sell better) than the 360/PS3 version.

Just a quick warning, there are actually a couple of (minor?) spoilers towards the end of the review: 

    http://au.wii.ign.com/articles/798/798713p1.html

All in all, the IGN review sounds very positive. The graphics are excellent, the game is highly polished with a huge production value, huge connected world with no loading. Loses points for some clumsy animation & camera work, boring "fetch" quests and inconsistent frame rate.

They also comment that the Wii"wand" works great, and a lot better than they expected. 

...

"When Nintendo first unveiled its new controller, people immediately thought of how it might be utilized in a Potter title so we're happy that EA has developed the mechanics. You can cast Wingardium Leviosa by locking onto surrounding objects with the B-trigger and then pulling backward on both the Wii remote and nunchuk. From there, you're able to sway the controllers left, right, forward and backward to move levitating items in the appropriate direction. Prior to playing the adventure, we had some concerns about how well the motion system would interpret movements from Nintendo's controllers, but it honestly works very well. You'll be able to twirl the Wii remote to cast Reparo and broken statues will rebuild themselves before you; you can send objects flying forward with Depulso simply by locking onto them and motioning downward with the Wii remote, or you can pull them toward you with Accio by snapping upward with the controller. A quick waggle back and forth will cast Incendio, which will burn objects and Reducto, cast by twirling in the opposite direction, will smash anything in your path. These new motions feel much better than any button press and really serve to immerse you in the spell-casting experience."

...

"These undertakings are especially enjoyable because of the new motion controls, which is why, for once, the Wii iteration of the game really does win out over the 360 and PS3 builds, which feature superior graphics. It is worth noting, too, that this latest Potter is one of Wii's prettiest efforts, spitting out spectacular environments complemented by extra detail, and the whole package runs in 480p and 16:9 widescreen modes."

...

"Not all is well in the polish and pacing departments, however. Potter controls heavily, almost clumsily, through the environments and the camera system, which shoots the action automatically, does not always provide the ideal angle for any given situation. You will sometimes want to point the Wii remote at an object to select it, but will find that doing so is challenging, if not altogether broken; we alternatively tap the B-trigger to cycle between selectable in-world people and objects that Potter can interact with. Also, you never really know which people and items are truly interactive. You might be able to duel with one character, but not the next; or you can use Wingardium Leviosa to target and lift up one set of drapes, revealing a hidden item, but not the next. You're able to run through the world by holding a button, but the game will sometimes force Harry to walk anyway while it streams in the next location. Ultimately, some would call these notables minor quibbles, but they do add up and they do detract from the experience. The bigger problem is that despite the gargantuan make-up of the world and all the storylines the game juggles, you will too often find yourself on some random fetch quest. To the developer's credit, these quests are usually more interesting than the norm, but they aren't very original."

... 

"For me, this is one of those games whose faults are ultimately lesser than its strengths. I actually do sometimes become frustrated with the camera or the fact that my Marauder's Map footprints clumsily lead Harry, Ron and Hermione to some locations, but I find myself having a lot of fun with the complete package anyway. As a fan of the franchise, the school that EA has created is intoxicating, and you will want to explore its every nook and cranny, a feat that would surely take Dumbledore himself a considerable amount of time. I've rated The Order of the Phoenix 7.8 on Wii because it is a good game with some issues, but I suspect die-hard fans will be able to look past the inadequacies and embrace the accomplishments. If you like Harry Potter at all, give it a try."

.............

Pretty sure I'll be picking this up now - but maybe not at full price (i.e. $99AU). 

i thought these kinda game would have free camera angles control by now.
a lot of potential games failed because of bad cam angles...

reverie said: The spoilers are not that bad if you consider that the book has already sold 40+ million copies since its release in 2003. I'm kind of wary experiencing the same story first in the book, then (with slight variations) in the movie, and then in the game all over again. I wonder if EA (or others) are going to release original games based on the Harry Potter universe at some point in the future.

 I've always been amused by the fact that the games are clearly based on the movies, not on the books.

This book sold millions upon millions of copies? Good for it, but we're not making a game out of it until they turn it into a movie first!  

At least they see it as a good game with issues, whereas other movie-tie ins are not good at all.

my sleeper pick on the wii for 2007. should get a couple of boosts from 1) the movie 2) book 7. the positive review helps... although poor reviews didn't hurt spiderman somehow selling 450k on ps2 alone. we'll see how well this does. at least 250k on the wii alone, but i'm hoping spiderman sales on the ps2. currently in the 200s on amazon for all video games, but this is the type of game a higher proportion of people pick up in stores like walmart. fingers crossed.

In my eyes, 2007 has been the "Year of the return of the crap movie-->game license" - with Spidey, Shrek, Pirates, Fantastic 4 (and more coming).

Agree on the comment that HP seems to be a game with some issues, rather than a crappy movie tie-in.

(I haven't seen the read - starting now - so trying to avoid any nasty spoilers for a week or so..).

2007? Pretty much every year that videogames have existed is the year of crappy movie tie-ins. ET anyone?

I'm hoping this sells well on the Wii, because it sounds like the Wii version is very good...looks good and controls are fun with the Wiimote. I wouldn't get this game if it used a normal gamepad, but on the Wii, I might give this game a try...it looks cool.

back in January when I looked at the movie release schedule for 2007 I said to myself 2007: Year Of The Sequel.

here is the sequels yet to come in 2007

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2. Die Hard 4.0
3. Rush Hour 3
4. Resident Evil: Extinction
5. Alien vs Predator 2