J K Rowling:
“Wonderbook: Book of Spells is the closest a Muggle can come to a real spellbook. I’ve loved working with Sony’s creative team to bring my spells, and some of the history behind them, to life. This is an extraordinary device that offers a reading experience like no other.”
So as promised, here is my review, and overview of the hotly anticipated game Wonderbook: Book of Spells.
We played Book of Spells, at the out of this world event last week, and we have now played the game at home. I’m still amazed, and somewhat astounded how the technology works, its gobsmackingly good.
It hard to actually photograph and film the game whilst it’s happening, but I tried to do this with a couple of clips of Miss A and N yesterday evening.
Miss N (10) was playing the game and Miss A (3) was joining in, trying to catch the frog in her hands. I think because, what you see on the screen is not only your living room (or in our case kitchen) but also in some magical place it makes it feel all the more exciting and ‘real’.
The Magical Spellbook Is The First Wonderbook Title, Combining The Latest AR Technology With PlayStation®Move
Wonderbook: and this first book, The Book of Spells, is the result of a partnership with Pottermore (JK Rowling’s free to use website) and Sony. There are said to be plans for more books, which has me wondering what other cunning plans Sony and J K Rowling have.
You will need :
- Playstation 3
- The Wonderbook
- PS Move Controller
- Playstation Eye Controller
I can only describe it as a game, that feels like extended reality. Once you have set up your game, you then sit with the book open in front of you. The TV screen will show you in your home (thanks to the AR technology) but with added magical wizardry surroundings.
It has exclusive new and original writing from J.K. Rowling, Wonderbook: Book of Spells comes to life as you read, allowing you to cast spells with your PlayStation Move Motion Controller, which becomes your own magic wand. You then go on a fantastic journey to read and learn the secrets of wizardry and the art of spell-casting, just like a student would at Hogwarts.
You are given a choice of which house you would like to be in, even the type of wand you would like. You are then awarded house points for completing tasks. It is completely interactive, the book which is very strange to look at in reality, in the game, looks like a very old, sometimes dusty book.
It is definitely a game that can be enjoyed with the whole family, we all really enjoyed it. Though Miss A at 3 is too young really to work the wand. As the series extends, I think the book will then be used for other titles. So you will only need to buy new games (approximately £25), so it would actually be good value for money, I just know this will be played with again and again.
Teresa says
Oh this looks amazing, I will definitely be buying for my son at Christmas. In fact it looks a great thing to play altogether on Christmas day. Great review Ana.
Susan Mann says
wow this looks incredible x