Back in the early-mid 2000s, movie tie-in games were all the rage. From Pixar and Disney tie-ins to games based on big action blockbusters likeLord of the Rings, there was a video game tie-in for just about every major release, andtheHarry Potterseriesheld a big market share. Beginning the yearHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonereleased, there would be aHarry Pottertie-in with every single movie that came out going forward, with multiple versions releasing across different platforms. One of the most beloved tie-ins wasHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, a sixth-generation classic that set the bar high for future Wizarding World games, including the upcomingHogwarts Legacy.
WhileHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsreleased across a variety of consoles, it’s the flagship PS2, Xbox, and GameCube version that’s really stood the test of time. Released on Jul 06, 2025,Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsturns 20 years old today, and it’s still one of the best Wizarding World experiences out there.
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How Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Set the Bar for Hogwarts Legacy
Releasing in 2002,Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretscame out a few years intothe sixth generation’s lifespanand made great use of the consoles' advanced technology. While the PS1 version of the game acted as a sequel to the infamousSorcerer’s Stonegame, the PS2, GameCube, and Xbox versions delivered a much more expansive experience, letting players freely roam around Hogwarts.
The general gameplay loop ofChamber of Secretssees players take control of Harry as he participates in daily classes. Players are given a to-do list at the start of each day, filled with different activities and classes. Players will then need to head to those objectives on time. In classes, players learn a variety of new spells, ranging fromprotection spells like Protego to offensive spells like Stupefy. In between these classes, set missions take place that move the game’s story along and tie it in with the events of the movie.
In giving players a schedule of classes to keep on top of,Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsfeels like the first truly immersive Wizarding World experience. The player isn’t just following a set of linear missions as Harry as events from the movie play out. Instead, it feels as though the player is actually at Hogwarts, immersing themselves in the daily life of a Hogwarts student. ThoughfutureHarry Pottergameswould attempt to capture this same feeling, they don’t quite succeed, often getting bogged down with too many story missions.Hogwarts Legacylooks to be trying to achieve the same feeling of immersion, but with the announcement that lessons are going to act more like side missions, it may not nail the concept of attending classes as well asChamber of Secrets, even 20 years later.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' remarkably high level of immersion is reinforced by the game’s free-roam elements. Though its map size isn’t all that big,Chamber of Secretsdoes let players freely explore Hogwarts Castle and its grounds. It may seem a bit lifeless and empty looking back now, but 20 years ago, this felt like a dream come true. This was especially the case when players unlocked the ability to summon their broomstick at any point and fly all around the castle and grounds. On the PlayStation 2 version, players could even land their broomstick anywhere, allowing them to access areas never seen in the movies up to that point.Chamber of Secretswas a truly immersive experience, and aHarry Potterfan’s dream come true. HopefullyHogwarts Legacycan achieve the same level of wonder and immersionnext year.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsis available on PC, PS1, PS2, GameCube, Xbox.
