LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (including Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone DVD) PSP

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (including Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone DVD) Product Details

Released on 13/08/2010

• LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4 Preview

  An Invitation to Hogwarts!

  I’m minding my own business at GAME HQ when a special envelope lands on my desk. Inside, there’s an invitation in the shape of an owl: “You are cordially invited to take a first look at LEGO Harry Potter Years 1–4”. How could I refuse?!

  The venue is perfect. It’s like a mini version of Hogwarts! The Ironmonger’s Hall in Barbican, London, has a grand staircase, aristocratic portraits on the wall and a banqueting hall reminiscent of the one in the Harry Potter films.

  “You haven’t been talking to any portraits have you?”

  I am greeted by a wizard who introduces herself as Professor Margoyles and invites me to hand over my travelling cloak. Up the staircase the very convincing Professor Snedly uses a sorting hat and sorts me into – uh oh – Slitherin! Still . . . it’s often more fun being the evil one.

  I am told to wait with the other ‘students’ in an atmospherically lit room with a beautiful white owl sitting patiently on his perch. The Harry Potter music is punctuated by exclamations from Snedly outside, “Don’t dawdle in the corridor”, he demands of one student and, “You haven’t been talking to any portraits have you?” he sternly enquires of another.

  Finally Slitherin House is called to the banqueting hall where we get our first look at LEGO Harry Potter Years 1–4 . . .

  Introducing LEGO Harry Potter Years 1–4

  I’m expecting something good here. After all it’s LEGO and it’s Harry Potter! How could you go wrong?

  Harry Potter Years 1–4 gives you a good mixture of gameplay, including story levels, collecting, building and puzzle solving.

  Unlike other LEGO games, Harry Potter Years 1–4 gives its characters the opportunity to grow, which is a welcome new dimension to this popular format. So how exactly do the characters grow? Wizard school!

  Yes, you, too, can go to Hogwarts and learn spells!

  Yes, you, too, can go to Hogwarts and learn spells! Interspersed with the play, the wizardry classes will help you grow in power and learn new abilities that help you solve puzzles, and unlock new parts of the game.

  The more you learn, the more your character grows, so when you revisit a location there might be more things you can do – or maybe the prefects will let you go where they wouldn’t let you go before . . .

  Become All Your Favourite Characters

  You’ll find all your favourite Harry Potter characters in LEGO Harry Potter Years 1–4 as well as a host of minor characters. You can switch freely between available characters at any time depending on the challenges you face. You can also choose to play good or bad – and learn good spells or bad!

  Even though they are built of bricks, the personality of characters like Ron really comes through.

  Each playable character can have up to 8 abilities by the end of the game and you can customise them with purchases from Diagon Alley.

  One of the nicest touches in the game is the humour, and even though they are built of bricks, the personality of characters like Ron really comes through. Even the paintings will talk to you – in their own special way – but will they help you out or get in the way?!

  Experience Harry Potter’s World

  As well as having characters that grow, Harry Potter Years 1–4 pushes the LEGO format further with the Hogwarts environment, which promises to be the largest and most detailed LEGO game environment yet.

  You’ll step into iconic locations from the Harry Potter books and films, and be able to take part in the story from the start: Find platform 9 ¾ . . . discover Diagon Alley with Hagred . . . buy your first wand . . . cast your first spell . . . and learn how to ride your broom!

  You can step into this world alone or choose multiplayer mode and play in split-screen view. The split-screen view lets you explore in your own time and in your own way.

  The Element of Surprise!

  Wherever you go in LEGO Harry Potter Years 1–4, there is always an element of surprise!

  As we watch the developer demonstrate the game, he actively encourages us to ‘trash the place’ and ‘fool around’! By interacting with items in each scene you may find special rewards or a LEGO stud or two, and once you’ve trashed some sections, rebuilding them might help you solve your next challenge.

  The largest and most detailed LEGO game environment yet.

  Spells can also act in a way you don’t expect! Spells can act differently depending upon which character you are and who (or what) you’re casting them on. You can also create you own spell potions . . . if you make one right, you could have a powerful tool! If you make it wrong – BOOM!

  There are lots more surprises in store and I won’t spoil them here, but what version will you choose?

  The Wii version lets you use the controller as a wand and immerses you in the Harry Potter world. The DS version is more of an adventure, complete with cut-scenes and the opportunity to talk to the characters. Both send you into a wonderfully colourful, magical world with all the things LEGO game fans love.

  Preview by: Amanda 'Hermione' Hepburn
  Preview Published: 11.05.10

  Published: 11/05/2010

• Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 Review

  More Magic with Harry

  Hogwarts was already a magical place, then Travellers Tales got their hands on Harry? world and now the magic seems to have doubled. LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4 is packed with laugh out loud moments, head scratching puzzles and of course, LEGO!

  Lego Harry Potter pretty much sticks to the established formula laid out in the previous LEGO games. So if you?ve played LEGO Indy, Lego Batman or LEGO Star Wars then you know what to expect.
  

  You're a Wizard Harry

  To start with you?ll be dropped straight into the first film The Philosophers Stone, complete with LEGO style opening. As Hagrid with Harry in tow, you?ll start at the Leaky Cauldron, which acts as the games hub. The Leaky Cauldron is where you?ll start when ever you turn the game on. It?s here where you?ll access Diagon Alley and go to replay story missions. Diagon Alley is the place to go if you want to unlock new spells, new characters and unlock the cheats that you?ve found as you?ve explored the grounds of Hogwarts.

  As the title suggests, you?ll get to play through the first four years of Harrys school life. You?ll meet and in some cases control all of those who appeared with in those four years? that?s a lot of LEGO people! Like all good LEGO games some of these colourful characters will come with certain abilities, Ron can use Scabbers to get at switches in pipes, Hermione can use books to open doors and Hagrid can pull levers to heavy for other characters.
  

  Welcome to Hogwarts

  The big difference between LEGO Harry and other Lego titles is that you?ll need to attend lessons to learn new spells so you can progress further into the game. As you start in Hogwarts, you?ll see Devils Snare and other items blocking door ways. Between some story missions you?ll take part in lessons where you will learn Lumos Solem and other spells to help you get Harry & Co through the school year.

  Hogwarts itself is impressive, not only in terms of its size but it?s look too. Providing you know the right spells you could spend ages just wandering around the castle looking for studs, which I?ve done, a lot.Travellers Tales hasn?t forgotten the little details either. As I got to Christmas in my first year at Hogwarts all the students donned Santa Hats, in my second year clusters of girls followed Professor Lockhart about and in my third year students would cower away in Corners as the Dementors of Azkhaban swooped about. It didn?t matter that it was LEGO, this was Hogwarts.
  

  Riddikulus-ly good fun

  As you make your way around Hogwarts, you?ll be treated to various tracks from the Harry Potter Soundtrack to accompany the clatter of LEGO bricks. As with all LEGO games there is a ton of stuff to find, whether they are in jokes, golden bricks, the Hogwarts emblem and various other bits, this really will keep you going for a long time if like some, you want to get every achievement/Trophy and get 100%.

  LEGO Harry Potter is a brilliant game that will capture the attention of Harry Potter and LEGO fans alike. Packed with little details, Humour and polished to a high level LEGO Harry Potter will cast a spell on you from the moment you put the disc in, it really is Riddikulus-ly good fun.

  

  Into orbit
  + Classic LEGO humour.
  + Captures the Harry Universe perfectly.
  + So much to do.

  Down to earth
  - No online multi player.
  - Only the first 4 films.

• Assassin's Creed Brotherhood heads BAFTA list

  It's more good news for Assassin's Creed fans after yesterday's revelation of a May announcement of the next game in the popular franchise. BAFTA has released its list of nominations for this year's videogame awards, and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood has received the most nods of any game, featuring in a total of seven categories.

  
  It seems the members of the BAFTA panel were big fans of Ezio's latest adventure, as it scooped nominations for Action, Artistic Achievement, Gameplay, Multiplayer, Technical Innovation, Use of Audio, and the biggie: Best Game.

  
  In the latter category, Ubisoft's game faces some stiff competition from FIFA 11, Heavy Rain, LIMBO, Mass Effect 2 and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Call of Duty: Black Ops missed out in that category, but was nominated in six others. Mass Effect 2 also had six nods in total, with Sony's gritty thriller Heavy Rain picking up five, while Super Mario Galaxy 2 and indie darling LIMBO both got four. Surprisingly, Halo: Reach only featured in two categories: Multiplayer and Technical Innovation.

  
  Meanwhile, the mass-market success of Microsoft's Kinect ensured a strong showing in the the Family category, with nods for Dance Central, Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports and Kinectimals. Flying the flag for more traditional control are LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and the terrific Toy Story 3.

  
  The winners will be announced at a ceremony on March 16, which will be streamed live on the BAFTA website.

• New Release Round up: 25th June 2010

  This week's new GAME releases see you time shifting, demon slaying, spell casting, bone crunching and shape shifting.

  Time shifter

  
  Singularity (PS3, X360) puts you in the shoes of a US Air Force pilot sent on a mission to investigate a mysterious research base on an island off the coast of Siberia. You soon find yourself drawn into a Russian conspiracy as you fight to stop the ingularitywhich fractured time on the island from spreading to the wider world. To do so youl have to battle through a constantly shifting environment as time waves throw you back and forth between the Cold War era and the present day. Can you unravel the mystery behind this top-secret military project before time runs out?

  Demon slayer

  
  With a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, Demon's Souls (PS3) challenges you to slay an evil force that threatens to destroy the fictional kingdom of Boletaria. Youl venture across six worlds, ridding stone castles and dark caverns of the demons that lay within their walls, nurturing your stats as you go to build the combat and magic skills needed to defeat the more challenging bosses in this beautiful, immersive and challenging role playing game.

  Spell caster

  
  Based on the first four Harry potter books and films, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (PS3, X360, Wii, DSi, DS Lite, PC, PSP) lets you experience Harry first four years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Choosing from over 100 playable characters, youl get to make potions, cast spells, solve puzzles, fly on broomsticks and explore iconic environments in this humourous, family friendly title. You can even play through the game as a team thanks to a simple drop-in and drop-out co-op feature.

  Bone cruncher

  
  Fast-paced and gritty, Backbreaker (PS3, X360) aims to set a new standard for in-game animations in the American football genre. Developer NaturalMotion technology - also featured in Grand Theft Auto IV and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - lets your console calculate each bone-crunching tackle on the fly, meaning every challenge is unique, realistic looking and feeling. Promising to put an end to canned animations, Backbreaker real-time technology aims to ensure the gameplay never becomes stale, leading to plenty of replay value.

  Shape shifter

  
  Transformers: War for Cybertron (PS3, X360, Wii, DSi, DS Lite, PC) is an origins story set before the Transformers characters arrival on Earth. Taking you to their home planet of Cybertron, it focuses on the epic civil war that spawned the brutal rivalry between the Autobots and Decepticons, allowing you to experience the action from both sides of the conflict. Playable characters include shape-shifting favourites such as Megatron and Optimus, and you can battle through the entire campaign with friends co-operatively online.
  

  Also out this week:

  • Ballerina (Wii)
  • Club Penguin: Herberts Revenge (DSi, DS Lite)
  • Daisy Lafuente Pilates (Wii)
  • Dementium 2 (DSi, DS Lite)
  • Disciples III: Renaissance (PC)
  • Games Aid Triple Pack (PS3)
  • Naughty Bear (PS3, X360)
  • Sonny With A Chance (DSi, DS Lite)
  • Sniper: Ghost Warrior (X360, PC)
  • Trinity Universe (PS3)

  Published: 25/06/2010

As a valued customer we now offer you the facility to sign up to email price alerts. Please enter the price you want to be, or below, and if drops to that level we will let you know...