LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Once again Traveller’s Tales has taken the wonders of LEGO; twisted with a licensed IP to create something more worth your while then most if not any movie based video game. If Star Wars, Batman, Indiana Jones, and Rock Band fused with LEGO wasn’t enough TT has gone even further to bring fans LEGO: Harry Potter Years 1-4.

If the gamer has never watched any of the movies then this is a perfect introduction while having fun playing the game. And if the gamer is a fan, this is a great way to get reacquainted with the first bulk of the series, as the source material stays true to the book but uses the straight to the point action that the movie brings to the screen. And the gamer can tell that the team at Traveller’s Tales have gone to greater lengths to make this one feel like one coherent story rather than a selection of episodes and levels that gamers can dip into and out of at will. The gamer will actually have to play the saga through from the opening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to the end of Goblet of Fire (but let’s not forget the ability to replay finished levels or the new addition of taking a wander around the shops of Diagon Alley between chapters)

Gameplay

This time around with LEGO: HP gives gamers further authenticity with the key to the game being appropriately; Magic. Gamers will begin the game like any other TT LEGO game with two players (Harry Potter and Hagrid). Harry has no real power at all, while Hagrid only has the bare minimum of abilities to start. Pretty soon after however, gamers will have located Rod and Hermione and with a few lessons at Hogwarts, Harry will have a few new abilities.

And with spells like Wingardium Leviosa, that can be used to move or levitate objects or Lumos can be used to shift tangling plants or, with an upgrade, fight off grasping tentacles. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, as Harry and company will use a variety of jinxes and curses can be employed to blast objects into bricks or tackle enemies, while more spells, more potions and familiar objects, like the invisibility cloak, become accessible as time goes on.

Graphics

With all of TT LEGO IP’s gamers can expect clean, bright and exciting colors when playing any of their games. TT brought everything and more to the table with LEGO: HP, as the magical and imaginative characters of J.K. Rowling are brought to video game format in a fresh hilarious and clever manner that keeps the appeal to everyone.

All the characters have their unique characteristics from the story, and the outer and inner area background gamers explore have a uncanny resemblance to the movie based video game version. Of course TT has sprinkled LEGO all over the area, replacing a lot of the items with the inspired LEGO blocks (and who doesn’t like LEGO blocks?)

Controls

TT has always been on top of their control scheme for all of their LEGO games. Of course the basic controls are preset but can be changed. But they do have the same hiccup that all of their games have; the awkward camera angle. Going behind walls and object create a fixed camera effect that makes it hard for the gamer to see themselves (especially when enemies are coming at them). With the minor bump the controls are fluid and responsive (although picking up object and other tasks become a little tiresome).

Conclusion

Gamers know what their getting when they purchase any TT LEGO IP; a damn good time. With co-op drop-in/out and tons of characters, items and the ever elusive gold brick to unlock, gamers sure to have fun doing it all. Taking a break from the main story is great of replaying missions or go into the never ending vault or become a builder (not a stranger to TT LEGO games). But there is a more to just beating the main story as gamers will have to replay the game once they complete because they are boxes…I’ve said too much (putting on invisible cloak).