Reviews

Back to school

Taking the template successfully used in previous LEGO games like Star Wars, Indian Jones and Batman, and then fine tuning it and applying it to JK Rowling's rich fantasy universe, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 is one the best family titles we've ever played. Based on the first four Harry Potter books and films, it lets you experience the young apprentice's early years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an ever evolving playground full to the brim with puzzles and secret locations.

Fun times 4

The basic idea is to complete the story – in this case Harry's first four school years - while unlocking and collecting as much as possible. It's a large title when fully explored, packed with mini-games, spell-casting and secret-finding that unfold as your magical powers develop. You'll start off playing between Harry, Ron and Hermione, learning new spells during lessons that enable you to access recognisable areas from the films, and as the game progresses you'll eventually unlock over 100 characters.

Featuring many of the hallmarks of previous series entries – including a great drop-in, drop-out co-op mode, humour that's knowledgeable of and respectful to its source material, plus loads of secrets and unlockables - it might feel a bit familiar if you've finished the previous LEGO games. But LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 manages to play to the franchise's strengths, chopping out the elements that didn't work so well while retaining the ones that did. In doing so, it arguably fits the franchise's brick-building formula even better than its predecessors, which focused more on combat and destruction than construction.

Little Wander

The addition of magic is the biggest difference from previous LEGO games, along with the lack of any stock enemies, even if there are plenty of creatures and bosses to fight during your adventure. However, the major focus is on puzzle solving and using the right spell at the right time, and the use of magic is generally very well implemented. LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4 features a neat free build mechanic that lets you use a levitation spell to lift and piece together blocks to complete puzzles, which feels completely natural with Harry's wand.

Eager to cram in every plot detail from the books and visual highlight from the films, the game is a love letter to Harry Potter and LEGO fans alike, but it's not necessarily for everyone - you'll probably need to be a fan of both the yellow blocks and the Potter series itself to enjoy it to the full. And while Hogwarts is delightfully recreated, the game requires you to do a fair bit of backtracking across locations you've already covered.

LOL-ish

Overall though, LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4 is a great game that simultaneously manages to appeal to young and old players. It's familiar, simple and great for family play thanks to the co-op feature, while the well implemented gameplay mechanics, along with its humour and polish, will appeal to more experienced players too. Having worked at the template for over five years across numerous LEGO games, developer Traveller's Tales appears to have perfected the formula.

GAME's Verdict

• A top family game with a great co-op mode.
• Focuses on the franchise's strong points.
• Arguably the best LEGO game yet.

• If you don't like LEGO or Harry Potter then it probably isn't for you.
• It may be a shade too familiar for LEGO game veterans.
• There's a fair bit of backtracking across locations.

Review by: Tom 'Yellow Brick' Ivan
Version Tested: PS3
Review Published: 07.07.10