Can the combined might of Travellers’ Tales and Harry Potter cast a spell upon iPad users?
By Leo Stiles
The LEGO series of games from Travellers’ Tales have always been a bit odd because on one hand you have a game that has kid-friendly graphics, yet on the other you have gameplay that despite its forgiving nature, leans pretty heavily to the hardcore end of the gaming spectrum.
Every game in the series is built around a similar template of stud collecting, item collecting and character collecting that sits alongside some pretty intricate and often challenging level design. Some titles work better than others and for every disappointing title in the series (see LEGO Star Wars 3 on the 3DS) there are games that take this formula and add enough variety to make the whole enterprise feel fresh again.
LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4 on the iPad is one of these better titles and while it doesn’t measure up to the PS3 or Xbox 360 title of the same name, it is still streets ahead of its handheld cousins and a worthy addition to the App Store’s burgeoning collection of quality games.
Based on the first Potter films, Years 1-4 recreates your favourite locations and events in the series’ irreverent style while remaining a pretty faithful rendering of the wizarding universe.
The Gryffindor common room acts as a hub from which each year (or film) can be accessed along with some other goodies, such as the character customisation room and all-important shop.
We’re fairly sure that’s meant to be a wand, although it resembles a giant cucumber
Each year is split into a quite enormous series of levels and almost nothing has been left out, which should please any Potter fan. Most of the levels are also unique play areas, with only a few locations recycled in service of the story. While there is nothing too taxing for a seasoned gamer, few would be able to say that they uncover all areas and secrets on their first run through, with objects and puzzles sprinkled throughout each area that require abilities and characters you will have to work hard to earn.
Controls are thankfully spot-on and winningly simple in a way that is sometimes annoyingly rare on the iPad – simply put, the designers actually kept in mind that they were developing for a touchscreen device instead of trying to force existing controller schemes work.
The game does, however, offer up a virtual control stick and two buttons, which do a commendable, with many actions being context-sensitive. I particularly like the virtual control stick which appears whenever you touch the left side of the screen and this flexibility is instrumental to the game’s avoidance of controller death that can plague many iOS games.
Casting a spell
Being a Harry Potter game, you would expect magic to play a big role and indeed the film’s signature spells form the backbone of both the gameplay and the game structure too. Each spell is activated by touching objects in the environment that trigger a spell. You then you have to draw the spell in the touchscreen to execute. It’s a nice mechanic and with a multitude of spells to learn, it keeps the gameplay fresh and involving.
These spells are also given to you at vital moments throughout the game and often are the key not just to progression, but also to previously inaccessible areas and unsolved puzzles. Replay of the game’s levels are one of the reasons why you will be playing this game for possibly months to come, with even some of the early level being impossible to clear fully until you have completed the story mode from start to finish.
Graphically, the game is pretty simple but there is a definition and solidity to it all that make the whole game shine on the iPad and famous characters and locations from the films are nicely recreated and the use of John Williams original music is a nice touch.
Obviously, this game will not be to all tastes and its childish appearance doesn’t exactly compare well to something as dazzling as Infinity Blade. Those that do take a chance will be rewarded with a game of surprising depth and massively generous content and the fact that publisher Warner Bros Games are charging just €4.99 is a deal just too good to pass up, particularly when you consider that the Nintendo DS version of this retails for €25 second-hand.
As for any Potter fans or iPad owners with kids; what the hell are you waiting for?
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