Customer Reviews

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I haven't completed the game (and most likely won't), but I've found very little to enjoy in what I've played so far and not much promise of improvement.

Unlike the PSP versions of the Lego games through Batman, this one is not a port of the console versions, but an appallingly simplistic and dumbed-down version of its own (or perhaps, it appears, a port of the DS version). The camera is frozen in an isometric position and zoomed in, which would put you close to the action if there was any action to see. Instead, the environments are drab, lifeless, small and virtually free of enemies or destructible elements (there ARE some - just very few). There's often little to do but collect studs, most of which are laid out in patterns rather than hidden in objects, so that it often feels more like I'm playing Pac-Man than a Lego adventure.

The gameplay consists almost entirely of casting spells on clearly highlighted objects, but this is robbed of any enjoyability by the obscene level of hand holding. If you have to, for example, light a torch, "Light the torch" appears as your objective, the torch is marked by a waypoint on your map, and when you approach it, you press a single contextual button that chooses the incendio spell for you, and in many cases, this would all be after a character tells you "Maybe you should light that torch!" Speaking of which, the fact that characters talk at all (in the form of text windows) is another unwelcome change, and would be even if they didn't constantly tell you flat-out what to do. If you need to use another character to interact with something, that character's portrait appears as a hint, effectively removing the last possible scrap of guesswork. There's no platforming to speak of, except where a particular prompt lets you jump at scripted points. The only bright points are some of the minigames, like potion brewing or the transfiguration spell, but even there, transfiguration presents you with identical puzzles so often that it loses its novelty quite quickly.

In the other Lego games (that I own on PSP, at least - Star Wars II, Indiana Jones, and Batman; identical to the console versions save for graphics, as far as I know [and from having played/seen footage of the console versions, I should add]), goals were sometimes obscure, but figuring them out was the bulk of the experience and challenge. And even after you'd played a level and knew all the objectives, there was great fun to be had in wandering the expansive environments smashing things, collecting studs, fighting enemies, solving puzzles and experimenting with the abilities of the cast of characters. With virtually all of that removed, the remaining husk of a game plays like it was designed for preschoolers.

I want to be generous and allow for the possibility that it will get better, at least with revisiting levels in free play with new characters, but from what little of that I've done so far, it's similar to story mode, in that rather than having the pleasure of experimenting with combat or movement abilities, it's all a matter of choosing the character who can interact with certain very obvious objects, and being plainly told who to use anyway. Why bother?

I feel foolish for not being more vigilant in seeking out PSP-version-specific reviews, but given the record of the series, I had no reason to think it would be different from the console versions. I've learned my lesson. I would like to play a proper version of this game, but since that would amount to paying $50 effectively to upgrade this one to what it should have been in the first place, it's not happening.

My first impressions of the game were above average with only mild disappointment and I'm hoping the game will get better as it progresses as I've only just recently arrived at Hogwart's.

However after reading bugbears review and searching on youtube for gameplay video's It's clearly
obvious that he is correct. The psp version is definitely scaled down version of the higher end platforms.
It has a fixed (looking downwards) camera angle that never changes, The text boxes are a tad Nintendo 64ish.
I also agree with the other review that this game (dont know about the other platforms on this aspect) has
too much hand holding throughout the quests and puzzles and leaves no room for trying to figure things making it
seem more like following directions rather than solving a game on your own.

One of the major differences that ruins the psp version for me is that you only ever have one character that you see on the screen
and cycle through them using the "R" button whereas the Xbox/PS3/WII versions are confirmed at having multiple characters
on the screen at the same time. This alone is a deal breaker for me as I would much rather run around Hogwarts/Hogsmead etc
as a group and see that Hermione/Ron etc are with Harry for the adventure.

Instead on the psp you only see the one character you are currently playing so it is completely missing one of the stories main
element that friendship and love are best. e.g. at the end in OotP, He feels pity for Voldemort because will never know what
he's missing. Who ever made the choice (or why) to drop that defining quality from the psp version must not have known anything
about the books.

Another point that really stinks about the psp version I discovered the gameplay video's (linked below). While walking around Hogwart's
I noticed the paintings didnt move and had thought how awesome it would be if they did. Well in the XBox version they definitely do.
Not only to the paintings move but you can interact with them with spells etc, as well.



Here are a some comparison vids on youtube (psp vs xbox)

PSP Gameplay Video on youtube titled "Harry Potter Lego Years 1-4 Gameplay PSP"
[...]

Now check out this awesome footage of the xbox platform titled "LEGO Harry Potter Exclusive Gameplay"
[...]


I think the comparison of the video says it all and the psp version is an entirely different game as stated by the other reviews here and not worth the price. I really wish I had spent the extra 16 bucks for the xbox version. So dont short yourself what seems to be an amazing game by getting it for the psp.

I've played all the previous Lego games on both PS2 and PSP, and they were excellent ports. Upon starting this game, I was both confused and disappointed by the completely different style of play, pathetic graphics, and overall poor quality. A quick visit to Youtube for gameplay video comparisons yielded the answer to why this game was so appallingly different from the other wonderful games in the series. Apparently since there was no PS2 version for Lego Harry Potter, Traveller's Tales ported the DS version to the PSP. The result is a disaster. The cutscenes are glitchy. The graphics are crap compared to the wonderful graphics of previous versions. Perhaps gameplay would be more fun if I had bought the title for my DS, but--since any controls that would have used the stylus have to be mapped to the PSP's buttons--it feels awkward, childish, and unlike the natural gameplay of other Lego PSP titles. Basically, Traveller's Tales cheated the PSP owners. Go onto Youtube and watch gameplay and walkthroughs from the other versions before wasting your money on this abyssmal failure of a game. Lego Harry Potter for the PSP isn't magical by a longshot. Had I known it was a DS port, I wouldn't have wasted my money. I'd have just gotten it for my PS3. Shame on you Traveller's Tales! You owe PSP owners both a refund and an apology.

i love this game, some people complain, but im not one of them..lol i like the way the game plays and the controls are very easy.

a great add on to the lego game collection.

Many complain about this game. Why don't you guys do a research before buying a video game? Check it's rating like at IGN and GameStop before spending money and then complaining. They have the same game for the iPhone/iPod Touch a lot cheaper (now it's $4.99). It's a fun game to kill time.

I recently purchased LEGO Harry Potter for the PSP to play on a few hour long road trip while the wife drove. Yes, I'm 26 years old and bought LEGO Harry Potter, what can I say, I'm a fanboy. Anywhos, on the rant. I feel so cheated out of my hard earned $$$. If you are expecting the same level of fun and enjoyment you got out of the other LEGO games on PSP, don't be. Unlike LEGO Star Wars 2, Batman, and Indiana Jones, which were just like their console counterparts aside from a graphics downgrade, this game is the exact opposite. The camera is fixed in a 3/4 overhead perspective ala Diablo. You can't freely jump, the framerate is about 30fps, the graphics are bland, the music has an odd high pitch to it, the game is incredibly easy (even easier then any other LEGO game), the story segment video is choppy (PSP loading issue), there are massive cuts in movie content that were not carried over, and worst off the game just holds your hand the entire way through telling you exactly what to do in every level and puzzle. Everyone should just stay away from this version and pick it up on a console instead. unfortunatly for those wanting some LEGO Harry Potter action in their hands on the go are out of luck.

not what i had expected, reading loads of negative reviews. it's actually fun. based on the films more then the books. in fact, if you're not familiar with the series; you may end up a bit confused regarding the story line.
not a hard game. good replay value. id rather the puzzles be more difficult, but they are trying to cover a large market, more so geared towards children to young adult.

game plays well. the sound is good, more so the music sequences. graphics are average. and there is even a few bits that got me laughing. this being my first 'lego' game, im not put off. in fact i found it fun.

now its time for years 5-7

The complaints about this game are over the top. It's starts off very simply and is initially a little disappointing because Harry can't jump etc. It turns out you learn all of those moves as you go, and so the game gets harder and much more interesting. Overall, players will still find HP is much easier than a Jax/Daxter type game, but the fun is still there and the graphics are fine. I don't regret purchasing it and I've been through nearly all the levels. Anyone who loves HP would love this game, and if you've ever fought for days to get through a difficult level in some other game (which ruins the fun), you won't find much of that here.

i have played all of the lego games on the psp and 10/10 but the harry potter game on psp is sh.... sorry but the one on wii.ps3.xbox360 are awesome dont by lego harry potter psp game if do gat a refund




i hope i make myself usfull
thank by anty lego harry potter psp dude

Like many other poor unfortunates, I bought Lego: Harry Potter - Years 1-4 (PSP) believing that I would get the same quality game as the previous Star Wars, Batman and Indiana Jones series of Lego games.

I'm surprised that Traveller's Tales would pass off a poor DS port to PSP owners used to PS2 quality. They might not be making PS2 games any more but that should mean dedicated writing for the PSP and PSP Go. The NEW PS2 market.

I've passed my disappointment directly to Tt and hope they realise what a mistake they have made and correct this for the Lego: Star Wars - Clone Wars and the Lego: Harry Potter sequals.

As far as this game goes, I'd recommend buying one of the home console versions instead.