How to play

Starting the game

First, highlight the "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" icon in the game menu on your phone. Once the game is highlighted, press 'Select' (OK) to start the game.

Main Menu

• New Game - Start a new game.
• Continue - Continue a game in progress, saved from a previous session.
• Options - Press 'Select' (OK) to toggle on or off "Sounds" and "Vibration," clear the automatic save file or change the language settings. On certain devices, accelerometer control can be activated, allowing players to play Gobstones or cast spells like Wingardium Leviosa, Alohomora or Reparo by tilting the phone.
• Help - Display detailed instructions about how to play the game.
• About - Display legal info, customer service and copyright information.
• More Games - Connect to more great games from EA Mobile.
• Exit - Return to the main game menu on your phone.

How to Play

Select the "New Game" option from the Main Menu. A brief introduction sets the stage, explaining what has happened to Harry before the game begins. Read this text, or select "Skip" to jump directly to the first level.

Exploring / General Actions

• Use the D-Pad (Direction Pad) or the keys 2/4/6/8 to move your character.
• Press 'Select' (OK) or "5" to interact with the selected character
• Press 'Select' (OK) or "5" to cast a spell at the selected object.
• Press 'Select' (OK), "5" or the right soft key to view the next line of dialogue.
• Press 'Select' (OK), "5" or the right soft key to view the next line of instructional text.
• Press the left soft key to pause the game and reach the in-game menu.

Exploration

• If you don't know what to do next, simply stand still for a few seconds. A footstep animation will point you to the right direction.
• An exclamation point indicates this person can provide help about where to go or what to do.
• When selecting items essential to your quest, the selection cursor turns green. Otherwise, it's gray.
• To review your objectives, open the in-game menu using the left soft key and select the "Objectives" option. Objectives completed are marked in green, and the current objective is marked in red.

Spells

• Wingardium Leviosa is used to levitate objects. Press 'Select' (OK) or "5" to levitate the object and use the D-Pad or 2/4/6/8 (or tilt the phone if accelerometer controls are supported by the device and activated in-game) to move it around. Don't move it too fast or you may lose control. Press 'Select' (OK) or "5" again to set it down.
• Reparo is used to fix broken objects (for example, objects you broke by losing control of Wingardium Leviosa). Press 'Select' (OK) or "5" to mend a broken object. Use the D-Pad or 2/4/6/8 (or tilt the phone if accelerometer controls are supported and activated) to keep the spell cast inside the circle until it fills up.
• Alohomora is used to open locks. Press 'Select' (OK) or "5" to cast it. Use the D-Pad or 2/4/6/8 (or tilt the phone if accelerometer controls are supported and activated) to keep the spell cast inside the keyhole until it fills up.
• Incendio - Press 'Select' (OK) or "5" to burn flammable objects or melt frozen ones.
• Multo Volaticus emits magic butterflies that flutter. Press 'Select' (OK) or "5" to cast it.

Mini-Games

Gobstones is a game where each player takes turns throwing marbles called Gobstones at the board.

The control method is the same in all the four variants available: press the D-Pad left/right or 4/6 (or tilt the phone if accelerometer controls are supported and activated) to choose where to throw the Gobstone. Hold 'Select' (OK) or "5" to throw the Gobstone.

The four variants are:

• Traditional Gobstones
  Each player has a colored Gobstone called the Shooter. The game starts with a number of Gobstones already placed on the board. If your Shooter leaves the playing circle, your turn will end and all the points you did during the turn go to your opponent. The player, who knocks the most Gobstones off the board, wins.
• Clear the Board Gobstones
  Each player has several Gobstones of his color already placed on the board. Both players take turns throwing Gobstones at the board. The aim is to knock all of your opponent's Gobstones off the board.
• Avoid the Hole Gobstones
  Take turns throwing Gobstones at the board. The winner is the player with the most Gobstones near the hole at the end of the 10th turn.
• Jack Gobstones Take turns throwing Gobstones at the board. The player, who has their Gobstones closest to the Jack stone at the end of four turns, wins.

Exploding Snap is a card game iterated in two versions: a competitive version called Classic and a solitaire version called Patience.

• Classic Rules
  If you see two matching cards on the table, press 'Select' (OK) or "5" to shout 'Snap!' and win all the cards on the playing stack. The player, who claims the most cards, wins. Be quick!
• Patience Rules
  Match the cards on the table as quickly as you can. You will have five chances to match one card to another before they explode. Use the D-Pad or 2/4/6/8 to move the selection; press 'Select' (OK) or "5" to turn a card face up.

Duelling

• In duelling sequences your goal is to hit your opponent with spells; this will deplete their Duel Bar. When the Duel Bar is empty, you win the duel.
• The members of the Duelling Club have a 'crossed swords' icon hovering over their heads.
• Use the D-Pad or 2/4/6/8 to move and avoid being hit by a spell. Press 'Select' (OK) or "5" to cast a spell. Hold 'Select' (OK) or "5" to cast stronger spells.
• Press "7" to cast Protego and create a shield that will temporarily protect you from hostile spells.
• The longer you hold (OK) or "5", the stronger the spell you cast, from Flipendo (Knock-back Jinx) to Stupefy (Stunning Spell) and finally Expelliarmus (Disarming Charm - successfully disarming an opponent ends the duel).

Combat

• Unlike duels, which are usually one-on-one challenges, combat may pit you against several opponents at the same time.
• The same control method works in both duels and combat.

Saving/Loading
Games are auto saved upon exiting the application. You may also save the game in the in-game menu. A saved game may be resumed from the main menu.

Tips and Hints

• Examine everything - if the selection turns green, you'll probably want to interact with the selected object or character.
• If you're lost and don't know where to go, stand still and watch the footsteps animation, then follow them.
• During duels/combat, don't stay still - avoiding the enemies' spells will take you a long way towards victory.
• If you enjoyed playing Gobstones or Exploding Snap, you can play it as often as you want by talking to the same students again.
• Gobstones and Exploding Snap challenges get more difficult as the game advances - so if the first levels seem too easy for you; look for stronger challenges in later levels.

FAQ

Q. What are the game's special features?
A:

• Roam the halls of Hogwarts™ as you progress through the movie's storyline.
• Interact with your favorite characters including Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Draco Malfoy.
• Cast powerful spells in duels against fellow students, familiar foes and evil Death Eaters.
• Explore Hogwarts' magical halls and unlock the mysteries within.
• Discover and trade strange and amazing magical objects.
• Immerse yourself in the richly detailed environments of Hogwarts™.
• Enjoy fun Mini-Games: Gobstones and Exploding Snap.
• Test your magical skills as you advance through stunning environments including Hogwarts™, The Burrow and the Horcrux cave.

Please note: Some features may not be available on all handsets.

Q. Are my favorite characters from the Harry Potter movies included in this game?
A: You play as Harry Potter, and you'll also interact with Hermione, Ron, Luna Lovegood, Draco Malfoy, Hagrid, Professor Snape, Professor Slughorn, Bellatrix Lestrange, Dumbledore, and more.