The PS1 version of Sorcerer's Stone is largely a downgrade on the PC version, but it has certain things going for it, that's for sure. For one, Hogwarts is slightly more open, you discover a lot of the secrets at your own pace and can return to certain areas to collect missing cards or beans. Not every area though. The platforming is pretty tight, the auto-jump gives you this huge boost of speed after you jump off a platform, and you can climb really high ledges, making for some reasonably fun moments. There is a semblance of a combat system, though I honestly prefer the instantaneous, mouse-aiming spellcasting of the PC version. Also, the character models are funny, the voice acting is very British, the situations you play through are ridiculous and some of the mechanics and even entire sections (such as returning to Diagon Alley to collect some ingredients) are unique to this particular version of the story, adding to the charm.
My problem lies in the general atmosphere. The lack of music during exploration is brutal, as the over-exaggerated sound effects really stick out without it. The game's secrets are actually hidden minigames a lot of the time, but they're not particularly exciting or fun, so I wish they just weren't included honestly. I'd rather just go in and pick up a card and feel clever that I found a secret, rather than have a kid or a ghost already be there and give me it as a reward for some trivial task. Collecting beans leads to upgrades for stuff like Quidditch or your basic offensive spell, but they are not noticable in the slightest. The game doesn't have spell challenges, which I enjoyed in other versions because they added scale and mystery to the castle. Here, Hogwarts feels much, much smaller, and a large chunk of this game is just really forgettable due to the level design being really messy. Just like with the discoveries, there is no impact, no special music, no pizzazz.
And absolutely fuck the Gringotts Mine Cart minigame. I really want it gone.
I wanted to like this game more, but I think it doesn't have the staying power some other versions have. Even though I think I liked playing it more than the GBC RPG, that game was far more unique and interesting to go through. This one just feels too small and limited for the system it's on.
My problem lies in the general atmosphere. The lack of music during exploration is brutal, as the over-exaggerated sound effects really stick out without it. The game's secrets are actually hidden minigames a lot of the time, but they're not particularly exciting or fun, so I wish they just weren't included honestly. I'd rather just go in and pick up a card and feel clever that I found a secret, rather than have a kid or a ghost already be there and give me it as a reward for some trivial task. Collecting beans leads to upgrades for stuff like Quidditch or your basic offensive spell, but they are not noticable in the slightest. The game doesn't have spell challenges, which I enjoyed in other versions because they added scale and mystery to the castle. Here, Hogwarts feels much, much smaller, and a large chunk of this game is just really forgettable due to the level design being really messy. Just like with the discoveries, there is no impact, no special music, no pizzazz.
And absolutely fuck the Gringotts Mine Cart minigame. I really want it gone.
I wanted to like this game more, but I think it doesn't have the staying power some other versions have. Even though I think I liked playing it more than the GBC RPG, that game was far more unique and interesting to go through. This one just feels too small and limited for the system it's on.