LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,810 reviews
  • story
  • stability
  • gameplay
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 Game Cover
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LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 allows players to explore the magical world of Harry Potter, from Privet Drive to the Triwizard Tournament, in a lighthearted and creative way. Players can build and customize their adventure as they relive iconic moments from the first four books, using spells, potions, and solving puzzles. The game features cooperative play, allowing two players to team up and control beloved characters such as Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Tablet
  • Wii
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,810 reviews
story72 positive mentions
stability201 negative mentions
  • story304 mentions

    The story in "Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4" closely follows the plots of the first four Harry Potter films, delivering a nostalgic experience filled with humor and charm. While the game effectively captures key moments and characters, it often condenses events and omits details, which may leave newcomers confused without prior knowledge of the source material. Overall, players appreciate the lighthearted retelling and engaging gameplay, despite some technical issues and a lack of dialogue.

    • “The story is so fun to play through and is great to revisit and start fresh.”
    • “The cutscenes and storyline of the game provide a perfect introduction to the Harry Potter series for those who haven't read the books or seen the movies yet, and at the same time, it will fill the hearts of the fans with nostalgia.”
    • “It captures the essence of the movies near-perfectly with its atmosphere and use of the musical score, as well as retelling the narrative in classic LEGO fashion, while actually losing very little of the important plot beats under its comedy and non-verbal storytelling.”
    • “The story is literally just the first 4 movies with a lot cut out, not nearly as fleshed out as Lego Star Wars but still a good time.”
    • “Unfortunately, each story feels shorter than the last, seeing as there is a big difference between the amount of play in year 1 and the amount of play in year 4.”
    • “The game crashes during one of the missions for the Prisoner of Azkaban arc which makes it impossible to continue playing the game.”
  • stability207 mentions

    The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay, including frequent crashes, freezes, and game-breaking issues that can prevent players from completing levels or achieving 100% completion. While some players find enjoyment in the game despite these issues, many express frustration over the instability, particularly in specific levels. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, making it difficult to recommend for those seeking a smooth gaming experience.

    • “Runs great at 90fps.”
    • “The controls are great (I use a controller), there's no glitches with terrain, graphics are nice, and you can sink a lot of hours into it without paying much attention.”
    • “Game runs great (unlike years 5-7) with everything cranked up to max at beyond 1000 frames per second on my GTX 980.”
    • “This game plays like a beta that was never finished; the game randomly injects glitches that make some puzzles unsolvable, therefore a reboot is necessary.”
    • “I've heard everything from glitches permanently locking collectibles if you exit a level to game-breaking bugs preventing the completion of year 3, and even stories of a missing student in peril that makes 100%ing the game outright impossible.”
    • “Unfortunately, this game is buggy as hell, pretty much rendering it unplayable.”
  • gameplay169 mentions

    The gameplay of the LEGO Harry Potter series is characterized by its engaging and humorous mechanics, featuring a mix of spell-casting, puzzles, and exploration within a semi-open world of Hogwarts. While many players appreciate the nostalgic charm and fun interactions, criticisms arise regarding its simplicity, repetitiveness, and numerous bugs that can hinder the experience. Overall, it offers a lighthearted and accessible gameplay experience, particularly enjoyable for younger audiences and fans of the franchise, despite some technical shortcomings.

    • “Great game, great visual aesthetic, satisfying gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is very easy, relaxing, and addicting.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and engaging in the way that almost anything you come into contact with is interactable.”
    • “Janky gameplay, outdated controls, and I know it's LEGO but the graphics were getting on my nerves.”
    • “However, I encountered some bugs and unexplainable freezes, or when the game just suddenly completely quit in the middle of the gameplay, so be prepared for the possible bugs.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty repetitive as well.”
  • humor152 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, effectively capturing the lighthearted essence of the LEGO franchise while adapting the beloved Harry Potter universe. Players appreciate the absence of dialogue, relying instead on expressive animations and funny cutscenes that elicit genuine laughter. Overall, the game is described as a delightful blend of humor, nostalgia, and engaging gameplay, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.

    • “The LEGO games have always had a charm and sense of humor that can only be conveyed through brick people, and there were times this game had me laughing, so I’ve gotta respect that.”
    • “The game is filled with plenty of humor, magic, and adventure, and is sure to provide hours of fun.”
    • “I love this game; it somehow combines the magic of Harry Potter, the humor of LEGO, and silly cutscenes.”
  • graphics106 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players noting that they hold up surprisingly well despite the game's age, showcasing a charming LEGO aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. However, some users report various graphical glitches and bugs that can detract from gameplay, particularly on PC, where optimization issues are more pronounced. Overall, while the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they are considered enjoyable and fitting for a nostalgic trip through the Harry Potter universe.

    • “The graphics and sound effects are also top-notch and really add to the immersion.”
    • “The environments look fantastic and include a nice mix of LEGO objects and standard graphics.”
    • “The graphics are incredible for an old LEGO game - when I started it up I was expecting it to be black and white.”
    • “The graphics are meh, the bugs are many and the achievements are non-existent... but I love this game so much, it's cute and reminds me of childhood.”
    • “Janky gameplay, outdated controls, and I know it's LEGO but the poor graphics were getting on my nerves.”
    • “This is a very bad PC port, with graphical glitches left and right, crashes all over the place, and odd glitchy text that spams your screen.”
  • music43 mentions

    The music in the game is primarily composed of tracks from the original Harry Potter films, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia for players and enhancing the immersive experience of exploring Hogwarts. While many appreciate the familiar melodies and atmospheric quality, some critics note that the soundtrack can be repetitive and lacks variety, which may detract from the overall enjoyment for those who pay close attention to the music. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant asset that captures the essence of the franchise, despite its limitations.

    • “Such a nostalgic feel, and the music brings me back to a simpler time.”
    • “The soundtrack is the same from the movies, which makes the scenarios even more immersive because you instantly remember the movie scenes when you listen to them.”
    • “I can't overemphasize how much the music adds to the experience of playing the game.”
    • “The controls and camera are awful and the music is incredibly repetitive but you know whatever.”
    • “But it doesn't have a big collection, so you hear the same music in Hogwarts over and over and over and over again.”
    • “The music is from the films, and does at times seem way too overused, but is greatly crafted in a good manner in the game to give you a particular mood to each chapter and event.”
  • replayability21 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its extensive content, collectibles, and the fun of revisiting the experience, particularly in co-op mode. However, others note a lack of incentive to replay after achieving 100% completion, leading to a range of scores from 5 to 10 out of 10. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements that encourage replay, many feel that the game lacks significant long-term replay value.

    • “There is tons of replay value in a game like this too; I finished playing it with an online friend of mine a few months ago and I honestly love the game just as much, if not more, than I did before.”
    • “A fun game that has all the usual LEGO game activities, such as masses of replayability and collectibles, and just the whole tone of the film series it is based on.”
    • “This game is highly replayable (I've played it three times over the few years I've had it), and I always look forward to playing it again.”
    • “You spend close to 40 hours just trying to get 100% completion, and there's no replay value.”
    • “I played this one years ago and tried it again; it has little to no replay value, but going for a 100% run in 3 days was satisfactory. 10/10, well the bonus levels are annoying.”
    • “If only there was some replay value once you get 100%... : /”
  • optimization19 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting severe performance issues, frequent crashes, and bugs, particularly on modern hardware. Despite some positive remarks about graphics, the overall experience is marred by poor optimization, making it advisable to play on consoles rather than PC. Many players recommend using a controller for better performance, but even that does not fully alleviate the problems.

    • “Runs smoothly”
    • “As far as graphics go, the game is quite well optimized and looks pretty great; the screenshots on the store page do it absolutely no good.”
    • “The game looks great, and provides incredible performance.”
    • “However, there is something you need to know: this game suffers from horrible performance issues, especially on modern hardware. There are also a few bugs.”
    • “I was about to finish this when the game crashed and corrupted my save. I have a decent machine, and this game is so poorly optimized that it constantly crashes and hiccups.”
    • “The game also has poor performance, no matter how good your computer is.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when aiming for 100% completion, as it often requires backtracking and repetitive tasks. While some fans of the LEGO series are accustomed to this grind, many reviewers suggest that improvements like a fast travel system could alleviate the monotony. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant but manageable part of the gameplay experience.

    • “At least it's not grindy and is consistent in gameplay/difficulty.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A fast travel system or better detectors would have helped to make the last few percent less tedious.”
    • “I would like to say that getting all the gold bricks and characters is a little tedious once you have completed all the levels.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, effectively capturing the essence of the original movie universes through its art style, musical score, and trademark humor. Players appreciate the blend of comedy and narrative that retains key plot elements while enhancing the overall experience, making it enjoyable in both solo and multiplayer settings. However, some reviewers feel that while the atmosphere is outstanding, it may not fully align with the game's overall execution.

    • “I would only like to say that the developers perfectly managed to fit the universe in this game, with their trademark LEGO-style humor and unforgettable atmosphere.”
    • “It captures the essence of the movies near-perfectly with its atmosphere and use of the musical score, as well as retelling the narrative in classic LEGO fashion, while actually losing very little of the important plot beats under its comedy and non-verbal storytelling.”
    • “The atmosphere is truly immersive to the Harry Potter realm.”
    • “The only thing I like about it now is that it captures the Harry Potter atmosphere from the movies with its music and art style, and it's fun to spam spells on your friends.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' nostalgic connections and heartfelt moments, with some expressing deep feelings, such as crying over character deaths. While the game evokes a sense of childhood joy and charm, certain key moments from the source material are simplified, which may diminish their emotional weight for some players. Overall, it offers a wholesome experience that resonates with fans of the Harry Potter series.

    • “I cried so much.”
    • “Cedric died, I cried.”
    • “Loved it, it made me feel like a kid again!”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy is perceived as a blatant cash grab, with many users criticizing it for being lazy and repetitive, ultimately designed to waste players' time.

    • “It's obviously a cash grab and designed to waste time.”
    • “At worst, they are a lazy cash grab that has the same gameplay loop every mission.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Play time

24hMedian play time
199hAverage play time
12hMain story
28hCompletionist
5-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 19 analyzed playthroughs

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