#computer gaming world

Computer Gaming World magazine

Computer Gaming World December 2005

So, the utter softness and gentleness of the Gryffindor thing gets to me. Yeah, kids from house Gryffindor are 100% willing to go to the dangerous, most scary places and wreck house… except they don’t have to. Here is a humorous little challenge of chasing a ghost through a pumpkin patch. And Gryffindors would absolutely see the fun of the whole thing. Yes, horrors await them later, but here is a little game to play. Yes you are brave, you have shown us all your courage before. But here, you do not have to be strong and gruff. Here you just get to play a little game.

It’s cute. It gets to me.

Slytherin’s are willing to go the extra mile to prove that they have grit, that they’re smart, that they see the narrow chance at the best outcome for themselves and they’re taking it. They’re not afraid of a challenge, but they’ll work their way around it if they can. But they don’t have to here. They get to feed some toast to a squid on a mural. It’s silly, it’s cute, and it’s a familiar sight because they see the squid in the window of their common room. Sure, they could maneuver their way around some tricky situation better than most, but they don’t have to here. They get the chance to be good to a house elf, and they get to feed toast to a mural of a squid.

I love it so much.

Then we have the brilliant Ravenclaw, who will tackle any test of wit, will think their way through any challenge, will shine their bright intellect on any problem and find the best solution. But here they don’t have to. It’s like, yes there are hard things ahead. Much harder than anything else you’ve faced. But here is a simple little puzzle of bird statues for you to breeze through. Have a little lighthearted fun in figuring it out. It’s simple, you can rest your brain for a bit.

It’s sweet and delightful. It makes me so happy.

And then the Hufflepuff, with the reputation of easygoing affability, who would often prefer to live and let live. Who is loyal and kind and caring. They’re good at gentle things, at working very hard, at keeping the peace. I imagine you want a Hufflepuff to settle your arguments. But Hufflepuffs also hold on very tight to justice, and they don’t let go. They prefer to trundle along happily, but are fierce when they must be; fierce and brave and true. And so this Hufflepuff must be in the face of injustice done to a denizens of Azkaban. Their mettle is tested here and not found wanting in the slightest. Just because they like peace and ease does not mean that they cannot prove themselves dangerous and grim in the face of terrible horrors. And their path begins with some horrifying experiences. Peaceful doesn’t necessarily mean harmless.

This pleases me so much.

Each one of these is like a play on the house stereotypes, but in such a way that highlights an aspect that isn’t usually paid a lot of attention to. Fun, silly, simple, and gritty.