Pottermore is finally online and open!

Finally Pottermore.com is open to the masses! My friends and I have been waiting for this day for months. I signed up yesterday and have already completed the first book – Philosopher’s Stone – it’s so addictive. I’m already anticipating the opening of the second book – Chamber of Secrets.

The layout and forms of interaction are largely what I had expected, although there are some moments that I hoped would be included that aren’t and others that are played out differently. I would have loved to be able to use spells to fight the troll or tap a sequence of bricks to enter Diagon Alley, but alas they did not include that in the gameplay. I also think it would be excellent if we could play some form of quidditch as a mini-game or have more interaction in the classes; perhaps some herbology? It would also be cool if we could use the items we collect (other than potions ingredients), for example the remembrall would be good for telling us if we’ve yet to find everything in a particular moment and the wizards chess set could make for a decent interplayer mini-game.

However, despite my few complaints it is a nice little addition to the Harry Potter universe and the insights from J. K. Rowling about unwritten plots and characters will likely start to show up in fanfiction canon soon enough.  The artwork is beautiful and definitely helps the whole thing seem that bit more magical, I’m particularly fond of their interpretation of the room of flying keys, which I much preferred to the film’s. Everything is clear and very easy to navigate which keeps it playable for everyone regardless of computer skill or familiarity with computer gaming.

Being sorted into houses definitely adds a fun competitive edge. The Ravenclaw forums are full of tips to win duels and earn house-points and I get genuinely annoyed every time I see that we’ve lost points. I’ve been duelling like there’s no tomorrow in an effort to help our points score; although blowing up my cauldron and losing 5 points probably isn’t helpful.

Pottermore is definitely something every Harry Potter fan should get involved in whether you’re a hardcore Potterhead or just enjoyed the books. As I mentioned above, I’m in Ravenclaw but regardless of what house you get sorted into add me as a friend. My username is GhostFirebolt12831