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Product Description
Amazon.com
Book of Spells is the first title for Wonderbook, a unique single-player virtual reading/entertainment experience exclusive to PlayStation 3. The latest addition to the PlayStation augmented reality series, the Wonderbook system combines game software, and the Wonderbook peripheral (sold together as a bundle in the Book of Spells release), along with PlayStation Eye camera and PlayStation Move motion controller (both sold separately), to bring words to life for readers as never imagined. The story and interactive activities built into Book of Spells are steeped in the Harry Potter universe, and are designed to capture the imaginations of new and longtime fans alike.
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The Practice Every Young Witch or Wizard Needs
Written by Miranda Goshawk over two hundred years ago, Book of Spells can be found in the restricted section of the Hogwarts library - and now it has come to you. It is an advanced textbook for students, which will assist them on their journey to becoming an accomplished witch or wizard. Book of Spells provides students with a safe environment in which to read, discover, learn and practice spells they already know and love, such as Incendio, Wingardium Leviosa and Expelliarmus, as well as discover mischievous notes and spells scribbled into the margins by previous Hogwarts students, and humorous anecdotal facts relating to the spells. J.K. Rowling has written a conundrum that leads you through the experience, providing insight into the values a witch or wizard has to learn, and inviting you to journey through the book to unlock new content, rewarding successful students along the way.
Virtual page turning is seamlessly provided in Wonderbook: Book of Spells by the visual gesture recognition abilities of the PlayStation Eye camera -- which points towards the player -- and the Wonderbook peripheral, which is interacted with by the player. The PlayStation Move motion controller serves as the players' wand, and the voice recognition capabilities of the PlayStation Eye allow for player vocalization of spells. (Play requires a wonderbook peripheral, Book of Spells software, a PlayStation Eye camera, and a PlayStation Move motion controller.)
Key Game Features
- One of the most advanced uses of augmented reality anywhere, that brings stories to life in your living room, and allows you to explore and interact with stories like never before
- The most accessible interface - just turn the pages
- Partner with PlayStation Eye camera and other peripherals, such as the PlayStation Move motion controller, to create unique and immersive experiences
- A safe and engaging environment built around the player, where they can discover, learn and interact in exciting new ways
Additional Screenshots*
 A J.K. Rowling written story. View larger |  Visually immersive action. View larger |  A unique reading experience. View larger |  Exciting spell casting. View larger |
* Images simulated. Actual game images appear on your television. Book of Spells is sold separately from the PS3 system, PlayStation Eye camera and PlayStation Move motion controller.
Product Description
Wonderbook will bring to life a thousand stories in one physical book with a brand new series of adventures and experiences to explore. A powerful storytelling vehicle and tool for the imagination, Wonderbook will bring exclusive content in immersive new ways by putting you at the heart of the action, using augmented reality technology to transform the world around you. Bringing mystery and discovery to your living room, Wonderbook titles will draw you into new worlds, and give you the chance to live in the stories you love.
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Customer Reviews
The good things about it:
-You can log in using your Pottermore account, and access your own wand and house.
-There are about 20 spells to learn, some of which are new.
-The tests are incredibly fun, and feature a number of magical creatures.
-It was written by JK Rowling!!
-You can choose whether or not you want the narrator to read the book aloud to you.
-It is very interactive, and unlike anything that has ever been done before.
The bad things about it:
-There is no replay value. Once you work your way through, there is nothing else to do.
-You need a lot of lighting in your room, otherwise the game will glitch.
-The text that you are required to read sometimes seems a bit tedious, and it takes a long time, especially when all you want to do is just cast the spells.
-There is no free play mode to just cast spells.
-There is no multiplayer.
This game is seriously so much fun, and the technology is state of the art. Hopefully there will be a sequel with improvements, seeing how this is the first, and as of now, only, title for the Wonderbook.
Wonderbook: Book of Spells takes you through an augmented reality world of being in Hogwarts as a new student where you will learn all the spells required to become a great wizard.
The game is split up into five chapters with each one having two sections where you will learn anywhere from one to three spells. The book will explain how the spells were created in charming stories that will be told as a pop up book on screen. After all the spells are learned in a chapter you will be given the task of using all of the spells in the chapter to complete a task. Once the final task is completed you will also be given a rhyming conundrum to listen to which is regarding the skills required to become a great wizard.
The game is fairly easy to use with the PlayStation Move and Eye. The game recommends having you sit on the floor in front of your TV cross legged with the Wonderbook placed in front of you. You will then use the PlayStation Move Controller as your wand to cast spells with.
I don't have the ideal setup since my TV is above waist height and my chair is only a few feet away from my TV. I was able to place the Wonderbook on my lap and still use it rather well though. It does make casting spells with the Move controller somewhat difficult though since my arm was so close to the Wonderbook.
Another feature that Book of Spells offers is that if you have a Pottermore account then you are able to connect it with the game and your house along with your wand will transfer over. I do not have a Pottermore account so I was not able to see how well this feature operates with the game though.
Overall I have greatly enjoyed Wonderbook: Book of Spells so far and I would recommend it to fans of the Harry Potter universe or someone who is just wanting a new and interesting game to try out with the PlayStation Move. The game might be aimed at a younger audience but can still be enjoyed as an adult as well.
(1) It's only one player so they can't play with each other or with friends.
(2) You have to follow the game script throughout. There is no free play, exploring or creativity allowed.
(3) The game was super easy for them to win and since there's no free play then it is basically over. No need for them to play again. And they haven't.
(4) Only movements are required to cast the spells so the pronunciation is pointless. Once the kids figured that out they rarely care about speaking the spells. Yet another limitation of the game.
In short, I wouldn't waste my money on this game. The initial promise of an original use of the move controller proved shallow and uninspiring.
so it is kinda normal
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