Overall Rating: 4.975/5.0
The cover art
Based off of the movie, and with hidden pieces from the book equivalent by J. K. Rowling, this video game is great for both casual fans of both the books and the movie. While the movie fan can endeavor in completing the nicely laid-out story line, which closely resembled the movie, hardcore fans of the book can find hints dropped here and there from the books. Easter eggs in this game range from subtle hints to the ruins of Harry's birthplace, which is a section cut from the movie, and added to the game (by option, you have to examine [A] to see the exchange of words between Harry and Hermione). The game itself is more faithful to the book than the movie, overall, and its beautifully rendered graphics immerse the player into the world of Harry and his friends.
One can explore the woods in which the trio hide at the beginning of the movie, the coffee shop in which the trio was ambushed, Grimmauld place, Godric's Hollow, and more in this amazing game. You must battle everything from dementors and acromantulas, to Death Eaters and Voldemort himself! The game is also compatible with Kinnect for the XBOX360.
As the back of the video game reads: Out of Hogwarts and on the run. Fight Voldemort's Death Eaters. Battle terrifying magical creatures. Use Kinnect to cast spells in [twenty two] 22 unique single and two-player challenges.
This game does have an update for those with XBOX Live, and it also has challenges which are connected to XBOX Live leaderboards. So if you want to, be the BAMF wizard you've always wanted to be, and kick some leaderboard behind. Then plaster your name on it. Yup.
To the readers: Excuse me if the graphics are horrible, the graphics are much better. I used a camera to take pictures of the screen, as I don't have the software to take screenshots of the game I run on my XBOX360. Seriously, the pics don't do this game justice. At. All.
One can explore the woods in which the trio hide at the beginning of the movie, the coffee shop in which the trio was ambushed, Grimmauld place, Godric's Hollow, and more in this amazing game. You must battle everything from dementors and acromantulas, to Death Eaters and Voldemort himself! The game is also compatible with Kinnect for the XBOX360.
As the back of the video game reads: Out of Hogwarts and on the run. Fight Voldemort's Death Eaters. Battle terrifying magical creatures. Use Kinnect to cast spells in [twenty two] 22 unique single and two-player challenges.
This game does have an update for those with XBOX Live, and it also has challenges which are connected to XBOX Live leaderboards. So if you want to, be the BAMF wizard you've always wanted to be, and kick some leaderboard behind. Then plaster your name on it. Yup.
To the readers: Excuse me if the graphics are horrible, the graphics are much better. I used a camera to take pictures of the screen, as I don't have the software to take screenshots of the game I run on my XBOX360. Seriously, the pics don't do this game justice. At. All.
Gameplay Rating: 4.98/5.0
Quick Disclaimer
This is for the general systems using classical, conventional, button-smash controllers. This means PlayStation, XBOX360, and so forth. This is not for Kinnect. I do not own a Kinnect sensor, nor do I have the desire to own one. Sorry, get over it.
General Play, Controller Layout, and Controls
Click to enlarge control map
This game features some simplistic gameplay, characteristic of shooting games. For the XBOX360, [RT] is used to cast spells, [LT] for aiming, directional pad for selecting different potions (often obtained by slaying idiotic Death Eaters), (RB) for selecting spells, and so on. Want a tip? Just tap (RB), it cycles through spells that way. Great for when you're getting your wizardly ass kicked and need some quick spell changes. Much faster than pressing and holding (LB), anyway. So that's the controlling sector...
As for gameplay, one can take a strategic route, or just point, shoot, and run. The one thing I disprove of in this game is the lack of a UI (User Interface) to show you your health. Rather, as you slowly die from the cuts and scrapes you obtain from being tossed around from Confrigo and Expelliarmus, your screen begins turning black and white. When you're in critical mode, it fades into sepia. Good for the effect and mood, bad for my brain. Besides this, the game is amazing as far as the aforementioned aspects go.
I didn't include all the buttons and control features. Buy the game to find them all, okay? Besides, it's much more fun to figure some things out yourself.
As for gameplay, one can take a strategic route, or just point, shoot, and run. The one thing I disprove of in this game is the lack of a UI (User Interface) to show you your health. Rather, as you slowly die from the cuts and scrapes you obtain from being tossed around from Confrigo and Expelliarmus, your screen begins turning black and white. When you're in critical mode, it fades into sepia. Good for the effect and mood, bad for my brain. Besides this, the game is amazing as far as the aforementioned aspects go.
I didn't include all the buttons and control features. Buy the game to find them all, okay? Besides, it's much more fun to figure some things out yourself.
Spells, Aiming, and Casting System
Aiming from behind cover
Unlike its many predecessors, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I allows for free-range and free-aim casting, as opposed to the casting of many spells on only specific objects, as seen in all of the games before. In its use of the new spell wheel technology, it actually comes extremely close to the innovative spell selection seen in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4. The additional spells, such as Protego and Expecto Patronum are contained under special combinations on the left bumper, as seen with the above control map. Overall, the system is nice, and allows for more varied, more immersing gameplay. It also removes the tedious wiggling of the second joystick which is seen prominently in Order of the Phoenix.
The problem with this new system is it makes the game into what I call a "point, shoot, and click". These types of games are often shooters, and the ability to rapidly fire many spells makes this more prominent. Hell, I could repeatedly cast 'stupefy' at anyone for hours on end, and it's pretty easy to knock someone out when you're just smacking them repeatedly with spells. The additional 'helping' feature also adds to the ease at which you can lock onto enemy heads and knock them out in a manner of seconds. Nonetheless, it's better for this game, as the seventh book and movie finds the trio in constant battles, away from Hogwarts.
That being said, the secrets and exploration modes and features are not included here. Thus, I don't recommend blasting everything, hoping for secrets seen in most of the games (and made especially prominent in the LEGO Harry Potter game) and points. Rather, be a ninja wizard and just stalk around under the cloak. The removal of Hogwarts, overall, has limited the game considerably, as Hogwarts was often used as the return point for the whole story. This time, though, one always returns to where they were before, with experience and points for leveling up rewarded through missions which Harry Undertakes. These often involve beating up pea-brained Death Eaters to save trapped muggles, squibs, and mudbloods.
The problem with this new system is it makes the game into what I call a "point, shoot, and click". These types of games are often shooters, and the ability to rapidly fire many spells makes this more prominent. Hell, I could repeatedly cast 'stupefy' at anyone for hours on end, and it's pretty easy to knock someone out when you're just smacking them repeatedly with spells. The additional 'helping' feature also adds to the ease at which you can lock onto enemy heads and knock them out in a manner of seconds. Nonetheless, it's better for this game, as the seventh book and movie finds the trio in constant battles, away from Hogwarts.
That being said, the secrets and exploration modes and features are not included here. Thus, I don't recommend blasting everything, hoping for secrets seen in most of the games (and made especially prominent in the LEGO Harry Potter game) and points. Rather, be a ninja wizard and just stalk around under the cloak. The removal of Hogwarts, overall, has limited the game considerably, as Hogwarts was often used as the return point for the whole story. This time, though, one always returns to where they were before, with experience and points for leveling up rewarded through missions which Harry Undertakes. These often involve beating up pea-brained Death Eaters to save trapped muggles, squibs, and mudbloods.
The Cloak of Invisibility...?
Yes, this gets its own section. Why? Because many of the games have have different takes and twists on this infamous icon of pop culture. As in the PC/Mac games (Sorcerer's Stone/Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Prisoner of Azkaban), and the console games (Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince), the use of the cloak was often limited. What makes the cloak interesting this time around, is that
Invisibility Cloak view
gameplay involving the cloak is rarely limited. Only in certain missions (often in missions where the cloak would be extremely helpful, but where it is essential to fight) and certain short snippets of the story (such as when must catch Bathilda Bagshot) is the use of the cloak disabled. Indeed, as seen in the control diagram, the cloak can be accessed with the simplistic tap of a button. Again, it seems the EA Games took a hint from the LEGO Harry Potter video game, as the LEGO version also allows for rapid access to the cloak. Unlike the LEGO version, however, one cannot shoot spells (not including four points) from beneath the cloak. Rather, one must remove the cloak to do so. In addition, one cannot pick up objects dropped in combat by enemies while under the cloak. This, of course, can be problematic.
Despite these facts, the team did a nice job on the creation of this mode. Not only does one have to take caution when using it (as the Deathly Hallows symbol on the bottom left measures how close you are to being discovered ,seen in the picture above), but one also has limitations. The abilities, downfalls, and faults of the cloak are consistent throughout the game. However, there is one inconsistent moment, as dementors do not see you while under the cloak when you are looking for Harry's parent's grave, but they do see you when you are sorting through the Ministry.
Fun Note: All of the games before this one features the cloak gameplay as third person, and showed the semi-transparent trio/Harry beneath said cloak. However, this version has the cloak as a transition to first person gameplay, and reverts back to third-person gameplay once the cloak is removed.
Despite these facts, the team did a nice job on the creation of this mode. Not only does one have to take caution when using it (as the Deathly Hallows symbol on the bottom left measures how close you are to being discovered ,seen in the picture above), but one also has limitations. The abilities, downfalls, and faults of the cloak are consistent throughout the game. However, there is one inconsistent moment, as dementors do not see you while under the cloak when you are looking for Harry's parent's grave, but they do see you when you are sorting through the Ministry.
Fun Note: All of the games before this one features the cloak gameplay as third person, and showed the semi-transparent trio/Harry beneath said cloak. However, this version has the cloak as a transition to first person gameplay, and reverts back to third-person gameplay once the cloak is removed.
Sense Appeal Rating: 5.0
Visual Details (Graphics)
Oops... I mean Harry casting a spell
The graphics in this game are top-notch, and rival many of the graphics I've seen in other games. Unlike those found in the Order of the Phoenix game, Harry's no longer a skinny toothpick, and seems to have put on some weight. Unlike Half-Blood Prince, there is lip sync. Despite this, the lip sync is a bit off, and distorts the faces at times. Of course, the distortion depends on the angle at which one views the character speaking, and whether or not the game is in playing mode, or whether it is showing a cutscene. Naturally, the cutscenes always have higher quality. Nonetheless, the clothing moves with the characters naturally, and I'd take a guess that the game is physics based. It's also fixed the constant rendering and buffering issues seen in Half-Blood Prince. The smooth running adds to the realism, and it's apparent that money was invested in this game.
The weather in the game is realistic as well, and when Harry is outside in the snow, his breath can even be seen rising in smoke. There characters, yes, they do breathe, unlike some games out there. If one is buying this game, I (personally) do not recommend the Nintendo Wii or Nintendo DS versions. Why? Because they're lower-grade graphics, and even if they do get the short end of the rope, the graphics are what make the game immersing and amazing.
The detail which is invested in the spells is also amazing, and it takes attack effects to a whole new level. Indeed, the entire game's graphics are great. The smallest details are seen to, and footprints can even be seen in the snow (though it appears that the footprints are merely additional textures, as they have no real depth). The texture of everything is also precisely taken care of.
The weather in the game is realistic as well, and when Harry is outside in the snow, his breath can even be seen rising in smoke. There characters, yes, they do breathe, unlike some games out there. If one is buying this game, I (personally) do not recommend the Nintendo Wii or Nintendo DS versions. Why? Because they're lower-grade graphics, and even if they do get the short end of the rope, the graphics are what make the game immersing and amazing.
The detail which is invested in the spells is also amazing, and it takes attack effects to a whole new level. Indeed, the entire game's graphics are great. The smallest details are seen to, and footprints can even be seen in the snow (though it appears that the footprints are merely additional textures, as they have no real depth). The texture of everything is also precisely taken care of.
Sound Effects, Audio, and Audio Quality
Harry... Looking all dramatic...
While the voice acting is somewhat lacking, the overall sound effects are amazing. From the whoosh of spells being cast, to the realism of the echoing of your footsteps about the quarry which you fight in, the audio reflects the top-notch craftsmanship which was put into this game. (Just goes to show how much cha-ching money sign money sign money sign that Warner Brothers has, don't it?) However, the cutscene voice acting is quiet, as is the in-game. Of course, this does not include when you're running around casting spells as baddies, as then everyone is just screaming everywhere. It's a madhouse. So, yes, if you're like me and listen to music on your iPod dock while you play video games, or just a little hard of hearing, turn on the subtitles. For the good of everyone's ears. As when the whispers end, it's almost immediately afterwards that loud, loud roars of 'Confrigo', 'Expelliarmus', and 'Stupefy' begin.
Though I must point out that the fact that spells can be used to dislodge or remove barriers (or destroy that pesky garbage can hiding that sneaky little snatcher) is a nice
Though I must point out that the fact that spells can be used to dislodge or remove barriers (or destroy that pesky garbage can hiding that sneaky little snatcher) is a nice
Ninja wizards. They'll kill us all.
feature which adds to the realism. This thus draws me to my next point. The very fact that one can do this is cool, but the sound effects which accompany these actions are even more so. Indeed, one can hear every distinct kablam as you blow up those rocks that were idiotic enough to bar your way across that damned forest! Each individual bang from the barrel you just sent flying, the yelp of surprise (accompanied by a bang) as that barrel you just hit smacks that creepy little Death Eater hiding behind it in the head. Sadly, I cannot record audio. As such, I can only give you an unrelated picture with no sound as of now.
Game Details
Harry Potter 7 (Part 1): The Video Game
Note: The above name is abbreviated to fit within the site design's alloted journal window space. The full product name is: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
(Part 1): The Video Game
(Part 1): The Video Game
Game Series (if applicable)
Harry Potter (Book-related)
Comes Before: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part II): The Video Game
Comes After: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone/Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: The Video Game
Related Game: LEGO Harry Potter (Years 1-4)
Comes Before: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part II): The Video Game
Comes After: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone/Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: The Video Game
Related Game: LEGO Harry Potter (Years 1-4)
Genre(s)
Action
Adventure
Action-Adventure
Movie-Based
Book-Based
Third Person
Adventure
Action-Adventure
Movie-Based
Book-Based
Third Person
Release Date(s)
16 November 2010 [November 16, 2010]
18 November 2010 [November 18, 2010]
19 November 2010 [November 19, 2010]
18 November 2010 [November 18, 2010]
19 November 2010 [November 19, 2010]
Game Rating(s): Consoles
ESRB: Teen [T] for... Fantasy Violence (I'd add scary moments, loud noises, and creepy women barfing up snakes)
OFLC: Mature [M] for... (Unknown...)
PEGI: Ages twelve and up [12+] for... (Unknown)
If you know any of these unknown rating reasons, or found a reliable way to tell these rating reasons, please send me an email! [email protected].
OFLC: Mature [M] for... (Unknown...)
PEGI: Ages twelve and up [12+] for... (Unknown)
If you know any of these unknown rating reasons, or found a reliable way to tell these rating reasons, please send me an email! [email protected].
Game Rating(s): Nintendo DS
ESRB: Everyone ten and older [E10+] for... Fantasy violence
OFLC: Parental guidance advised [PG] for... (Unknown)
PEGI: Ages twelve and up [12+] for... (Unknown)
If you know any of these unknown rating reasons, or found a reliable way to tell these rating reasons, please send me an email! [email protected].
OFLC: Parental guidance advised [PG] for... (Unknown)
PEGI: Ages twelve and up [12+] for... (Unknown)
If you know any of these unknown rating reasons, or found a reliable way to tell these rating reasons, please send me an email! [email protected].
Game Platform(s)
The bolded platform signifies the platform for which this review was conducted, though all platforms are also included, as they are similar. This review may or may not be reliable for choosing the Nintendo Wii or Nintendo DS version.
XBOX360; Microsoft Windows; Nintendo DS; Nintendo Wii; Java ME; PlayStation 3
XBOX360; Microsoft Windows; Nintendo DS; Nintendo Wii; Java ME; PlayStation 3
Game Developers and Major Credits
Developed by EA Bright Light Studio
Produced by Darren Potter (Harry's long lost brother? Hahaha, no, bad joke...)
Art directed by Kelvin Tuite
Creative Director was Matt Birch
Music composed by James Hannigan
Produced by Darren Potter (Harry's long lost brother? Hahaha, no, bad joke...)
Art directed by Kelvin Tuite
Creative Director was Matt Birch
Music composed by James Hannigan
Game Distributor(s)
EA Games also known as Electronic Arts
WB Games also known as Warner Brothers Games
WB Games also known as Warner Brothers Games
Game Mode(s)
Single Player (all systems, no accessories required), co-op/two player (select systems, additional software/accessories required)