You’re a wizard [insert your name here]

With the opening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 last Friday I figured it would be appropriate to plug the video game version.

It’s been a long time since I have played a non-LEGO version Harry Potter game. I’m not a huge fan of movie based games since the usually end up to be crap. Since I haven’t played/bought this latest installment I only have videos to go by. So check it out what IGN.com had to say…

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPzlwp4I8hs

While the Kinect enabled parts look like fun it seems like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 video game will go down with all the other crappy movie based games. Collecting dust on the shelves at GameStop.

Go see the movie!!

 

Harry Potter gets Kinected

Being the huge Harry Potter geek that I am, I am obligated to mention the fact that Xbox 360 Kinect will be featured in the upcoming Deathly Hallows video game.

via destructoid.com

Actors James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasely from the Harry Potter films) came on stage for a live demonstration of the game’s “Challenge” mode, which will utilized the motion-sensing camera. The Phelps’ took on the roles of Harry and Ron as they fought off death eaters and snatchers using magic spells, activated with hand gestures. It was hard to get a sense of how spell types were activated, but pointing at the screen appeared to fire off a melee attack; pushing out both hands at once seemed to push back enemies.

Now i haven’t bought an EA Harry Potter game since Chamber of Secrets. They just didn’t deliver for me. But Deathly Hallows does look pretty epic. Voldemort is taking over and Harry is on the hunt for Horcruxes. The walls of Hogwarts are no longer there to protect him. That’s what makes this game different. The bright and happy scenes are replaced with dark colors and cold backgrounds.

While the Kinect feature is a cool add on it’s defiantly not worthy of the whole game. From the videos I’ve seen of it, I feel like it would get old fast. But still it’s something worth having in the game as a separate game mode. I mean who doesn’t want to pretend they are a wizard trying to protect the world from Death Eaters?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSgsRZH3JN8

 

Wizarding Weekend

A long weekend for some but not all. I did, however, spend my 4^th immersed in the Lego world of Harry Potter. Since my town celebrates on the 3^rd and knowing I had a busy work week I took Sunday to put a real dent Lego HP.

 I buzzed through each of the 4 years of story before really focusing my attention on unlocking characters. Now if you are into completing games 100%, it won’t happen in just one run through. You won’t have all the necessary spells and abilities. This can be a good thing for those who like to get their money’s worth out of a game.

Personally, the replay value of a game is important. If I spend $60 on a game and then whip through it in a week, I want that game to be worth playing again. Games that have unlockables and things to do after the story finishes are pluses for me depending on the game. It’s not a characteristic that all games have (some don’t need it) but can give you more bang for your buck.

 

First Thoughts: LEGO Harry Potter

From the moment I put the disk in the drive I could not stop smiling. This is a game that every Harry Potter fan with a game console should have.

To start things off, a music score straight from the movies. Being the huge HP geek that I am, I have all the movie soundtracks and think that music plays an important role in what made the movies successful. I was happy to hear the familiar themes from the movies connected with their video game scenes.

Next thing that impressed me was the environment. It may be LEGOs but it certainly makes you feel like you’re at Hogwarts.

As for gameplay, it’s relatively similar to other LEGO games. Move through Harry’s school years learning spells and potions while collecting studs and saving students from peril. Different charters will have different abilities to help you through this wizarding world.

Overall if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll love this game. It may be aimed for kids but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. It’s a funny new look on your favorite books/movies.

Video via ign.com

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAElea4ORyo