Video Games Monster

5 Responses to “LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4”

1. 
   Robert J. Crawford
   Aug 4th, 2010 at 4:25 am

   Review by Robert J. Crawford for LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
   Rating:
   We have had this in our house for a week, and I must say that there are many features in this that improve over the earlier LEGO games by this company. My son (11) and daughter (15), whom I have watched with his friends rather than played myself (on a new flatscreen TV, which admittedly adds to their excitement), are utterly mesmerized by the world and narrative that they are able to enter with this game.

   When I bought it (in Europe at about 1/3 more in price), I was worried that it would only be a simple variation on the earlier LEGO video games. To summarize, the earlier games (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Batman, all of which we have in more than one format) allow children to become part of the story. They know the films, but are able to interact in the environment and create their own versions. These are not games with an adversary to beat or at least compete against, but a collaborative journey where you try to get through a number of obstacles, more similar to a maze than, say, monopoly. This is a wonderful variation for kids, who too often seek enemies in video games or someone to conquer. In the LEGO tradition, there is also a building motif, where you collect enough parts to get to a kind of construction critical mass, so you win a level and objects are assembled and a film episode is played with LEGO characters. It has action, but is not bloodily violent, so good for little kids. Finally, it is easy to start over and keep going on a journey through the films. Just this makes these unique game concepts, but you can only get so many. There is absolutely wonderful detail and characters in a simplified LEGO version that is charming, though they don’t talk.

   While this is definitely in continuity with the earlier games and so reassuringly familiar as all great brands should be, I was happily impressed with this version, which I think is a quantum improvement. The environment is more complex and multi-facetted, with all of the HPotter universe to explore. The levels and tasks they have to perform are more complex than the earlier games, so it is longer lasting, and there appears to me to be more character in the powers and personalities of each figure that my kids can choose to play. There is absolutely nothing that seems derivative about this. For example, instead of hitting, whipping, or cutting with a light saber, they can cast spells that are far more varied in their effects. As a school, there are also lessons to learn at each stage, which adds a new dimension that relates to the narrative. In addition, my kids love the split screen feature – it allows them to go to more places and there are things they can do in each place that help their “mission”.

   Warmly recommended. This is a wonderful addition to an evolving medium.

2. 
   Jordan Utz
   Aug 4th, 2010 at 5:01 am

   Review by Jordan Utz for LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
   Rating:
   After having previous LEGO games dished out to us, here comes along “Harry Potter Years 1-4″, an exciting achievement that stands out among a basket full of other bland eggs. I was instantly amazed by the beautiful graphics, clever dialogue, and the challenging gameplay. What makes this stand out from other Harry Potter games released in the past is that you have the ability to play as other characters: Ron, Hermione’s cat, Hagrid, etc. Each character has their own special ability, as well as their own strengths and weaknesses, which adds some flare to the gameplay. What is also new about this addition is that a multiplayer mode has been included for more than just one player.

   The premise is fairly simple that most of us are already aware of. It covers years 1-4 from J.K Rowling’s popular book series based on a teenage wizard. The game moves smoothly over each storyline of the book and stays true to the source material: defeating Aragon from the Chamber of Secrets, all the way to casting the Patronus charm at Dementors in the Prisoner of Azkaban. Gameplay and controls are fairly simple as well and especially fun when you are casting spells with your Wii remote. Many of the challenges involve quick puzzle solving and exploring unknown territory, and can become quite difficult. The crisp graphics combined with the dynamic and elevating score used from the movies also provides us with a clear insight into Harry’s wizarding LEGO world.

   “Harry Potter: Years 1-4″ is by the far the finest Harry Potter video game to hit the shelves, possibly the best LEGO game. It gives us a new gameplay experience that we have not yet experienced in a Harry Potter video game and yet still harnesses that ability to captivate us. But, what I love the most about it is that it has allowed me to revisit that childhood I remember as a kid when such things existed. It will certainly keep Harry Potter fans on their feet as well while providing a vivid blast from the past for all of us who enjoyed the previous first four installments.

   Jordan Utz, 5 Stars

3. 
   Pierre Ricolando
   Aug 4th, 2010 at 5:52 am

   Review by Pierre Ricolando for LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
   Rating:
   I have all the other Lego, save for Lego Rock Band and Indiana Jones 2, and this game is a great addition to the franchise. I was worried because, of the bad reviews of Lego IJ2 and thought they are trying to change the format too much, but the changes here are positives. I do like the split screen because it allows for dual exploration much easier than previous Lego games. My five year old daughter thinks its “easy” and enjoys “leading’ on the adventure with me.

   I haven’t gotten too far into the game yet, but what I have seen I have liked. Once I figured out how the spells were able to be changed and a few of the other new additions, I felt very comfortable with the controls. Reading the booklet would be helpful, but I like to figure things out for myself.

   This game is not for everyone, but if you’re into less violent games that allow for puzzling adventure. This is for you. Anyone who liked the other Lego games are sure to enjoy this one as well.

4. 
   Kevin J. Loria
   Aug 4th, 2010 at 6:40 am

   Review by Kevin J. Loria for LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
   Rating:
   First, let me say, I love all the combination of three of my favorite franchises, Harry Potter/ LEGO / NINTDNDO. Since the TRAVELER’s TALES Star Wars LEGO Games came out, I’ve prayed to the GAMING GODS that a reissue of old ELECTRONIC ARTS PC LEGO Harry POTTER LEGO games for Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets would happen. The LEGO “Creator” software was just that, it focused on the block-building experience on a PC without adding any real gaming experience and was surprisingly difficult to actually build anything. Unfortunately, the LUCASGAMES partnering with TRAVELER’s TALES Games is much more successful than the WARNER BROS GAMES partnering with TRAVELLER’s TALES, BATMAN LEGO for example is good, but not great. So although these new HP LEGO games are vastly superior to the 2001-2002 EA counterparts, they aren’t GREAT. The storytelling with pantomime and LEGOese is always clever and fun. Complex game puzzles maybe to hard for both young and old gamers to solve thanks to glitches and inherent problems using the Wii controllers. If you have played the Star War Sag LEGO game then you will be comfortable with Harry Potter Years 1-4, which like the Game Cube editions of the SW Lego I. and II. will combine to tell the whole story (a neat 4 movie/ 4 movie split now that the 7th book will be split into 2 movies). The game HUB in all of the LEGO games is another comforting format for players familiar with the LEGO games… here is where the REPLAY value of the LEGO games is so high, as new characters with new skills are unlocked replaying the same story segments become new experiences in FREE PLAY. From the HUBS (like the BAT CAVE or the Cantina) the Leaky Cauldron is where you can return to HOGWARTS (for new or to replay levers)or access Diagon Alley to unlock characters, spells, extras and bonus levels. The Dark Magic unlockables (represented by a red glow, like Dark Force in SW Lego games), once you get a bad wizard to control will add even more play to the stories, like Barty Crouch Jr. or other DeathEaters for example.

   There are some improvements over the Star Wars / INDY / BATMAN. For example in Diagon Alley you find Madam Malkin’s Robe shop, here you can purchase unlocked characters, but the classic mix-and-match allows you to customize characters to use in FREE PLAY. This in itself isn’t an improvement, but thanks to the POLYJUICE POTION (a potion unlocked in year 2 ) you can transform into any character you have unlocked or customized. The POLYJUICE Cauldrons are scattered around Hogwarts, so it is almost like having early-access to FREEPLAY with your original creations.

   There is a super variety of spells from the books and movies, each strikingly animated. Players have spell wheels to flip though using 1 & 2 on the remote, this becomes increasingly hard to find what you are looking for once you get more skilled. The Wii remote is used to pan the screen which responds in colors connected to the spell, this however isn’t consistent unless you have the spell “on” the wheel at the time. If you buy new spells in Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment (in Diagon Alley) they will all be placed on the same part of the wheel, at around 12-1 `0′ clock, later a school lesson will add another there, this really makes play difficult.

   ONE MAJOR complaint I have about the new game format is that although you have new freedom to wander Hogwarts school grounds without precisely following the Story arc bits at all times, if you do not follow your ghost-guides you risk some major glitches. For example going into the transfiguration classroom to soon cause us to have to replay a level to get skills we missed. Even saving wrong seemed to block some avenues to continue story.

   Overall I recommend the HP year 1-4 Lego to players 9 to ADULTS with a love for Harry and the BLOCKS. I totally intend to get 5-7 as well.

   Mischief Managed.

5. 
   Normally a Lego Game Fan
   Aug 4th, 2010 at 7:12 am

   Review by Normally a Lego Game Fan for LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
   Rating:
   Long time fan of the Lego Games by Traveler’s Tales. I loved Lego Star Wars, Indy was good. Batman was my favorite. I must confess, I never played Lego Indy 2. Though, a disclaimer, I do not like the inspirational subject matter of this one near as much as the others, so it was already at a disadvantage. However, this game is so poor that I felt the need to tell everyone.

   This game is just too buggy and repetitive for me. Perhaps its the subject matter, but the lack of character depth and variety in this one is just disappointing. Just basically the three main guys (Harry, Ron, and whats her name) with an occasional other guy.

   That aside, it might still be a decent title. The huge problem with this one is the finicky controls and bugs (and I’m not talking about spiders crawling through the woods). The point and shoot interface of the Wii seems to be a little moody, especially when there is a clump of stuff you want to shoot. Once you lock on to one target, though you can add additional targets, you still have to shoot. That means if you accidentally lock on to another Hogwarts classmate, but you wanted to shoot a potted plant, you have to just shoot the classmate. Most of the time this doesn’t matter, however, if they have been shot already, and they are provoked, this makes for an unneeded attack.

   Also, if you are in a level where the game is counting towards “True Wizard,” if you shoot a bunch of stuff at once because you are already locked on, you will not have time to grab everything before the studs disappear.

   The next issue I have with this game is the purple floating spell. On multiple times, this has happened. Sometimes you have to levitate an object, and float it to another spot on the screen. Sometimes, it gets stuck, and you have no choice but to restart the level because you cant even float it out of wherever it is stuck. For example, in the level where Ron and the girl are chasing Dobbie in the Quiddich stadium, there comes a point you have to levitate a heavy ball, and connect it to a hanging rope to cause the gate to go up. Well, if you (either accidentally or mistakenly) put the ball into the ladder hole you climbed up on, the ball gets stuck. It is not stuck in a physical sense, because the spell is obviously trying to move it and when your character climbs on it, the ball spins in place, however, you cannot attach the ball to the place where it needs to go to advance. Guess what? You just wasted 10 minutes of your life getting to that point. There is no way to reset the ball. You must just restart the level. This also happened to me on the level where you fight the giant spider at the end. There is a rain cloud near the beginning you must form. I didnt move the rain cloud high enough into the sky, and tried to move it over to the statue. It got stuck, so I had to restart the level, as you cannot advance without doing it properly.

   My next big issue with this game is the save feature. Several times, I have finished levels, watched the outtro video, and turned it off, only to find that I have to replay the level the next time I come back. Why? Because not only must you watch the end of level cutscene to save it, but you must then either select to go back to the Leaky Cauldron or on to the next level. Then, and only then does the game save your progress. This is counter intuitive to me. When I turn off at the end of a level, I dont want to go to the next chapter OR go to the Leaky Cauldron. I just want to turn it off. But I get to go back and play again.

   The last gripe I’ve got is the parts where you have to lift something, spin it, and send it flying again. There are two that come to mind. First, when Harry gets to Ron’s house and you have to flip the gnomes (or elves, or whatever) and then again when you fight the giant spider. This is so confusing and counter intuitive the way this is done, you will die many times (on the spider, not the gnomes) before you luck into hitting it 3 times. It is just frustrating.

   Dont get me wrong, the level layouts are great. The music is great, and the graphics are great. To me, when a game has so many problems, it frustrates you to play it, that means its time to put it down, dust off the old Lego Star Wars or something, and play a game that is not so problematic.

   For a die hard fan of Harry Potter, it might be worth it. However, if you are just a die hard Lego _______ (insert movie franchise here) fan like me, I would pass on this one.