The makers of the Lego series of video games offers Lego Harry Potter for the Wii, a fun bit of entertainment for fans. Covering the Harry Potter years from 1-4, this game combines all of the charm of the Harry Potter world with the creative game play of Lego.
There is a good mix of puzzle-solving game play and exploration. The emphasis on battle play, blowing up other Lego character until they fall apart into their individual pieces, is more downplayed than in the previous Lego series, such as Lego Star Wars and Lego Batman. I personally I think this is an improvement over the others, although the typical eleven year old boy may disagree with me.
One aspect of this game that is very much apparent is the humor. While the previous Lego games had plenty of it, in Lego Harry Potter 1-4, the humor is stepped up a notch. You’ll see this right from the beginning, as soon as your start the game and get introduced to your favorite Harry Potter characters in Lego form. The whimsey and magic go hand in hand, making the game charming to watch, which is important for parents who like to closely monitor the video game experience.
Helpful arrows show you just where you need to go next, making it easy to complete the game.
Now for the less inspired parts of the game. If you’ve played any previous Lego game for the Wii, then you’ve pretty much played this game before. The template is basically the same with a couple of changes to fit the Harry Potter world.
For example, you do have the option of learning and then choosing among your spells to help you solve puzzles and defeat enemies. But some of the aspects that make Harry Potter so interesting to kids, such as flying around on broomsticks to play Quiditch are missing. While Quiditch exists in the background, you don’t actually get to play it.
The tasks can get a little bit repetitive at times, especially if you play alone. Adults playing may eventually get bored with the same old game play. Adding a buddy promotes co-operative play and makes things a bit more interesting.
Finally, it is important to note that parents who have concerns about the Harry Potter world will have to note that while Lego Harry Potter removes much of the darkness that exists in many of the films (especially those past the first and second movies), the story line does follow the films and therefore still contains magic, an issue for many parents.
Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 for the Wii is rated E10 for cartoon violence (Lego objects and figures can be shot at causing them to break apart).
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