Best Price Gift Ideas - Wii Games Under $45 - Lego Harry Potter Years 1 - 4

(Note regarding walkthroughs:  If you're looking for a Harry Potter Lego Walkthrough, just scroll down;  Some great videos of the entire gameplay are available, broken up into separate portions so you can home in on the part that's troubling you.)

If you've read my other Harry Potter Lego hubs, you know I'm a big Harry Potter fan.  Have all the books in hardcover.  Bought 2 copies of the last book, so Monique and I wouldn't have to wait on each other to read it.  We took the day off, bought chips, candy, and sodas, and read the Deathly Hallows in one sitting. 

So when it comes to Harry, I'm a bit protective. When I found out there was a Harry Potter video game, my first thought was all those failed movie franchise games. Very few ever succeed, and even fewer set new standards.

It turns out, the Harry Potter Lego video game Years 1-4 is, by and large, a smashing success.

To begin with, this is a LEGO version of Harry Potter. For anybody new to the concept, Lego games convert popular movie franchises into video games. The characters and scenes all have the feel of a grand Lego stage, while maintaining the spirit of the originals. One thing I like about Lego video games, they are less about combat and more about exploration and having fun.

In the Harry Potter Lego video game, you get to play as different characters from a huge list of possibilities.  Aside from Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, there are many other choices, and tons of customization available. 

The game contains settings from favorite locations.  You'll visit Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and many other places.  Hogwarts is by far the most sophisticated and detailed Lego game environment ever designed.  While exploring the school, you go to classes, learn spells, potions (Ugh!) and broomstick flying.  Along the way, you have goals to achieve that earn you points for completion.

Since it's called Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4, it's a safe assumption that the game covers the first 4 books.  Unlike previous Lego video games, Lego Harry Potter lets you play with a friend in a two-player co-op style.  Plus single player story mode, and free-play.  Whether you want to play it structured or unstructured, alone or with a friend, the choice is yours.

As the game progresses, you see cut-scenes of favorite iconic moments. Many I viewed with fond reminiscence, some made me laugh out loud. The background music is direct from the movies. The haunting melody gets in your head and truly adds depth to the feel of the videogame.

The graphics are beautifully done; crisp, gorgeous, and true to the Lego theme.  The environments are immense, and very interactive.  Play as whoever you wish, and easily change characters while in free-play mode.  Each character has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, which changes the gameplay according to their personality.  The co-op two-player mode offers a split-screen view that's fast, responsive, and intense.

It's fun to see the characters interact;  No out-and-out speech, communication is done in grunts and gestures.  Even so, meanings are clear.  Personality stands out.  Each person acts according to their nature as we've grown to love them in the books.  On a child's level, this has the effect of keeping it simple, interesting, and well-paced.  On an adult's level, it adds a sophisticated touch of humor with a minimalist approach. 

As a Harry Potter Lego video game, you expect it to have a consistency of vision for both the lego aspect, and the Harry Potter aspect. Both have to be true to the spirit for the game to work. In this respect, Lego really hit a home run. There's no doubt whatsoever that you're experiencing Harry Potter's world, as seen through the Lego universe.

Gameplay is immersive, quickly pulling you into the story. Game length is very extended, with some players estimating ten hours of actual play to beat the game from start to finish. Considering the price, that's good. If you're looking for more bang for your buck, Lego Harry Potter provides it with enthusiasm!

If, like me, you sometimes get stuck, there's plenty of help available.  There are several Harry Potter Lego walkthroughs available online, and a simply astounding video series on Youtube that walks through the entire game in a series of over 50 videos!  I'll include the first few of those to get you started, to see the rest just click on the links at the end of one of the clips. 

There are several other Harry Potter Lego walkthroughs available, so no risk of being totally stuck.  Just find the clip dealing with your problem, and move on. 

There are a couple of problems worth mentioning; The biggest, to me, is the lack of 3-player support.  Since most of the books feature the trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, it would be nice to allow a third player.  I'll admit, there might be some difficulty making it playable that way on a single screen, but that leads me to my other point.  If players could join each other online, then every person playing could have a full screen.  Still, that's not a flaw, just a wish-list item.

I did run across one mention of a programming glitch;  apparently you can access one room before you're meant to in the game, and it can lock up the system.  You have to be making a dedicated effort to get there, but it is possible.  For a detailed description, along with the fix, read the reviews on Amazon.  I don't have it here because they went to the trouble of presenting the problem and the solution, and should get the credit for their work.

Of note:  I have a Wii gaming console, therefore this review is based on the Wii version.  Other versions may differ.

To summarize, Lego has done a wonderful job presenting the  World of Harry Potter in arguably their best, largest, and most immersive game yet.  The Harry Potter Lego Video Game is at the top of it's class.  In my opinion well worth the effort to explore their huge game environment.  Not just for children, but adults as well will be enthralled to actually explore a world that previously only existed in our imaginations. 

As an additional incentive, for anybody that occasionally needs  a little help, there are many Harry Potter Lego walkthroughs available, and you can avail yourself of as much… or as little help as you need.

Lego Harry Potter: Years 1 - 4… it's magical!