The developer of previous LEGO games, Traveler’s Tales has come up with a game which Harry Potter fans would like — LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4.

As the name suggests, it is the first four years of Harry Potter’s life which are the subject of the game, taking cue from Harry Potter movies rather than the novels. The game combines the joy of LEGO, where your favourite characters are portrayed as grainy blocks, with the magic of Harry Potter to give an irresistible combination for gamers.

Undoubtedly, it is the best LEGO game yet, being an improvement even on LEGO Indiana Jones 2, which is no mean feat.

This is also the best Harry Potter game yet. There are, however, some bugs and glitches which can be disappointing when multiplayer are involved. But you are forced to overlook these small inconveniences as the game is exceedingly charming and thoroughly enjoyable, especially, for the diehard fans of Harry Potter.

The basic premise of the game is simple — to collect the numerous LEGO bits which go flying everywhere when you cast a spell. Whether you are destroying something or recreating it, these bits are in plentiful supply and you will spend a large part of your time collecting these. Also, you are rewarded with currency as you solve the numerous puzzles which also help you to progress through the game. You can spend your pips on new characters, costumes and unlockable trinkets in the Diagon Alley or the Leaky Cauldron between levels.

All in all, the game offers a variety which has to be appreciated but still the content is likely to be more appealing to younger gamers. This is the kind of game you can get lost in. There are tonnes of collectibles and secrets to uncover which will keep you coming back for more.

The exaggerated sound effects and cute animations add a touch of light-hearted humour which other LEGO games also have in common. In addition, there are action sequences and a few boss fights. You beat Dementors through the Patronus Charm, battle Aragog by hurling spiders at him and even take on He Who Must Not Be Named. The final fight which is inspired by the Prisoner of Azkaban deserves special mention because despite being out of context of the story it is extremely enjoyable.

One of the major strengths of the game is the ease of control. You don’t have to worry about managing complex manoeuvres with your fingers. Just one button for offence and one button for using the spells, though targeting is a bit off and every now and then you misdirect a spell. Anyways, this has to count as a minor inconvenience as in most cases, the spells are contextual and you don’t have to choose them manually. All you have to do is to hold the button and hover the spell cursor over the object you want to manipulate.

As you progress through the school years, you learn new spells and by the time you are near the end of the game you have quite a sizeable collection but one of the most frequently used spell is the “Wingardian Leviosa” which is used to turn keys and widgets, raise platforms, throw objects and build LEGO structures.

One thing which all good games should have is the ability to entertain and keep the gamers interested at all times. In this context, LEGO Harry Potter proves to be a success. It keeps you giggling, progressing and glued to your console or PC for hours.— Sohail Saleem