Game Info
Game Name: Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4
Developer(s): Traveller’s Tales
Publisher(s): Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s): PS3/Xbox 360/Wii/NDS/PSP/PC
Genre(s): Action/Adventure/Platform
Release Date(s): June 29, 2010
ESRB Rating: E10+
If you build it, they will play!
Harry Potter has learned that he’s the son of two graduates of Hogwarts…a school for wizards and witches. Now he’s off to start his education, but Harry’s education isn’t going to be easy. He’s the target of his parents’ killer Voldemort and will face enemies including a basilisk, dragons, mermen, and werewolves…even the trees want to kill Harry! Fortunately, Harry isn’t alone. He has his friends Hermione and Ron to help him along with the backing of professors and students of Hogwarts. If Harry is broken, Legos help you build him up again to keep going!
Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 follows the popular Lego line of games that has become a staple of game systems. The game was released on with its sequel Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 following it on November 11, 2011. The first game covers Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone depending on your country), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It was received with positive reviews.
Spiders…It had to be spiders!
The game has a similar format to the other Lego games, and does have a lot of extra things to do that helps the game keep going. There are multiple goals on each level and as you unlock more and more characters (in the fun central hub of the Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley, and Gringotts). The levels are broken up into the individual books and each book divided into six levels (all of reasonable size). There are a number of puzzles ranging in difficulty, but there are often clues for newer players or when you get stuck.
One of the best parts of the series is the different skills of the characters and the multiple characters that are available (from main characters to obscure). As with all Lego games however, you collect all these great character (whose powers duplicate each other) and you don’t really get to enjoy playing them because by the time you have them, the game is finished. Once you’ve collected all the bonus material, there isn’t much replay to the game (but it is a long road to 100% completion).
Plug your ears…these Lego do a lot of yammering!
The game also has multiplayer ability with two characters being able to join in the fun (split screen occurs). This is a bit glitchy at time but it is good for a family that wants their kids to play together. There are some frustrating parts of the game where errors lead to repeated deaths. The game is also as usual filled with fun little cutscenes with the Lego charm.
Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 is a fun game for fans of Lego games or fans of the series. The clever cutscenes are entertaining themselves. In comparison to the other Lego games, this is similar to the Lego Batman which also improved on the formats of some of the other games in the series. Check it out for a low price and for a fun time. Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 was followed by Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7.
Related Links:
Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game
Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
