Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The theme of the game is to explore Hogwarts and follow the story from the book and movie. EA encouraged fan participation in the development of this game, and worked with a fan council. However, unlike prior games like the action-oriented Goblet of Fire, this time the adventure is in the style of a sandbox game. Similar to the Grand Theft Auto series and Bully, in that Hogwarts is fully explorable most of the time, and there are "discovery points" that provide rewards to the player, which can be activated by completing side missions. Furthermore, there are battles between groups of students, as shown in the game trailer, this is the last Harry Potter game to be released on the Gameboy Advance.
The game's sandbox style provides the player with a more open environment, as the player is able to move around parts of Hogwarts freely.
As well as the main missions, and as part of the new sandbox style of playing, players can explore Hogwarts and interact with objects, using magical spells to earn Discovery points.
One can duel Slytherins in the Entrance Courtyard, Paved Courtyard, and specific floor corridors. One can also duel throughout the story. Most of them are played as Harry. Nevertheless, near the end, one will play as Sirius Black and Dumbledore in different duels.
Earning Discovery points increases the power of the owned spells, and earns player bonuses, such as behind-the-scenes videos and trophies, which can be viewed in the Room of Rewards. Items in the room such as trophies can also be unlocked by taking part in the various mini games, such as Exploding Snap, Wizard chess and Gobstones.
Their respective actors and actresses voice twenty-two of the characters.
There are various missions to complete which follow the storyline of the film, such as the recruiting of Dumbledore's Army members, or creating havoc when Umbridge is made Headmistress.
Occlumency is also introduced as a feature of the game.
Twelve various Portraits located around the castle can also be used as secret shortcuts to other parts of the castle. However, the completion of a task specific to each Portrait is most likely required. After a task is completed, one will be free to use the secret passage as many times as wanted. To get the portrait of a witch in the dungeon's instead of a task you must wear the invisibility cloak and wait for a Slytherin to open it.
In the PSP version, we see one of the extra features is being able to play as a Dark Wizard. On the back of the box it says one can be 'Crabbe, Goyle, Draco Malfoy, Bellatrix, and Voldemort (however, nobody has yet found out how to unlock Voldemort).
