With all the controversy around the game, I pretty much ignored anything to do with it at launch. Since the game is on sale right now I wanted to know, is it actually any good? If it is I’d like to play it.
It’s not a bad game but it’s easily the most overhyped game I’ve played this year. I’d describe it as a super generic RPG with a Harry Potter skin. The best thing I can say about it is that the game is very pretty. Hogwarts itself is lively and is pretty fun to walk around in. Everything else, though, is just sooooo generic.
Let’s start with the magic system itself: In combat it literally boils down to using the right color on the right enemy. If an enemy has a red shield, use fire. If an enemy has a yellow shield, use your yellow ability. Other than that, just spam your magic until they die. You can dodge but enemies are usually pretty simple and telegraph their attacks hard. For a series so known for its magic, most of the magic boils down to “stun enemy” and “deal damage”.
Outside of combat, magic is painfully boring. Your main character will also constantly spoil basic puzzles for you. “Hmm, a rock, perhaps I can use MY LEVITATION SPELL”. “Oh, cobwebs are blocking the way, perhaps I can use my FIRE SPELL!” Everything boils down to basic interactions like this.
There’s little to no roleplaying, your choices don’t matter and boil down to being the nicest guy ever or being an arse for no reason. The story is linear. Your house changes your sleeping area and your clothes and some dialogue but that’s about it. The story is very uninspired too, you play as a person with amazing ancient magic powers that nobody else has because you’re the chosen one and stuff. Your professor is helping you unearth the mystery of why you’re so special while stopping the bad guys from doing evil stuff. Nothing exciting imo.
TL;DR: I guess if you really love Harry Potter you’ll enjoy the game for the references they make and magical feel to it, but outside of Hogwarts it’s really a pretty generic RPG. The combat’s repetitive, the open world feels empty and boring, the game overstays its welcome by being so long, etc. Overall I’d only buy it on deep discount, like $10-15 or something.
Edit: Oh, and there’s no Quidditch in this game. Instant 0/10!
Outside of combat, magic is painfully boring. Your main character will also constantly spoil basic puzzles for you. “Hmm, a rock, perhaps I can use MY LEVITATION SPELL”. “Oh, cobwebs are blocking the way, perhaps I can use my FIRE SPELL!” Everything boils down to basic interactions like this.
This is probably my biggest pet peeve with modern games. From straight up spelling out the answer to puzzles to nagging the player for not being “immediately” in the next mission area (I’m literally on the way, shut the fuck up!), there is just no space for the player to explore or figure things out or just chill. Makes me want to mute it entirely sometimes just to avoid the constant pestering.
I think the same studio is putting out a Quidditch game. Wonder if they purposefully kept it out of the first game because the separate one wouldn’t be worth it if it was in the original.
If you dont care about Harry potter at all the game is decent. Its fun, but there are other better options in terms of open world/rpglite games. If you do/did like HP, then its pretty cool. They did a good job bringing hogwarts to life. If you have the money to spare then go for it, otherwise Id wait for a sale or something.
It’s alright. Story was okay. Combat was pretty entertaining; although I’d recommend playing on higher difficulty, the gear progression makes the game too easy. The crafting mechanic was also fun for a while.
I think the worst thing about it is map bloat, but if that’s a nonissue for you, you might enjoy it.
It depends on how high your expectations are and how valuable ~$45 is to you.
I found it really fun for the first few hours, then it got really boring. It sucks you in for the first few hours (cough, the 2 hour Steam refund window, cough) then doesn’t just drop off in excitement and quality, it crashes into a wall.
Wait til this goes on sale for $20 or less in the future.
