For many, the Harry Potter series wasn’t just a collection of books or movies, it was a gateway to a world of magic, wonder, and a healthy dose of childhood wonder. LEGO Harry Potter Collection, a remaster of the beloved LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 which originally released in 2010 and 2011, respectively. takes players on a nostalgic romp through Hogwarts and beyond, reliving iconic moments with the charm and sharp wit that LEGO games are known for, even as later books and films got darker in tone. LEGO Harry Potter Collection is simply great, and whether it’s your first time or you’re returning to the school grounds, there’s no better time than now.
Double Eleven steps in for TT Games this time to helm this remaster. While limited, there’s clear updates to the visuals, allowing for native 4K resolution, 60fps, haptic feedback, and high-resolution shadow maps. Unfortunately, the collection does show its age in some areas. The animations, while charming, can be a bit stiff at times. Additionally, some textures haven’t received the same level of polish as others, leading to a slight visual inconsistency. However, these don’t detract from the experience of this decade and a half-old game series.
You may have even had the games separately on Steam, or the same-named LEGO Harry Potter Collection on PlayStation 4, thankfully WB Games offers an upgrade path and discount for those owners to get the game at half-off. This makes the deal even sweeter in order grab this remaster.
The LEGO Harry Potter Collection combines the content of the two original games, allowing players to experience the entirety of Harry’s journey from his arrival at Hogwarts to the final showdown with Voldemort. Each level follows the narrative of the corresponding film, with key plot points recreated in charming LEGO form. Whether it’s brewing potions in Professor Snape’s classroom, facing a three-headed dog guarding the Philosopher’s Stone, or participating in the Triwizard Tournament, the collection offers a fun and lighthearted way to revisit these beloved stories.
At its core, the LEGO Harry Potter Collection offers a genius blend of puzzle-solving, combat, and exploration. Players take control of a diverse cast of characters, each with unique abilities that cleverly tie into the narrative. Switching between characters like Ron Weasley (who can deploy his rat to crawl through small areas) and Hermione Granger (who can use magic to levitate objects) becomes essential to overcome obstacles and progress through levels. Combat is a lighthearted affair, relying on simple button mashing to dispatch goofy-looking foes. However, it’s the exploration that truly shines. Levels are littered with hidden secrets and collectibles, encouraging players to delve into every nook and cranny of Hogwarts and other iconic locations, which you can do at your hearts content through free play after completing the level in story mode first.
Combat is a simple button-mashing affair, but it’s surprisingly satisfying. Dodging spells, casting jinxes, and performing comical take downs on enemies never gets old. Exploration is also a key aspect of the game. Hidden throughout each level are secrets to discover, including collectible studs (the game’s currency), character tokens, and red bricks that unlock special abilities. Finding all the collectibles adds a significant amount of replayability to the experience.
The humor is a defining element of the LEGO games, and the Harry Potter Collection doesn’t disappoint. From Ron’s constant hunger to Malfoy’s trademark sneer rendered in plastic brick form, the game is filled with witty nods and slapstick gags that will elicit chuckles from fans of the series. The voice acting, which features clips from the films, adds another layer of authenticity to the experience. While there’s no new dialogue recorded for the collection, hearing familiar lines delivered by the iconic cast adds a touch of magic.
The LEGO Harry Potter Collection offers several features that enhance the overall experience. The most notable is local co-op gameplay. Players can team up with a friend to explore Hogwarts, solve puzzles, and complete levels together. This adds a significant layer of fun and allows players to share the experience with a fellow Harry Potter fan. Unfortunately though, the collection lacks any online multiplayer functionality. While local co-op is a welcomed inclusion, the ability to team up with friends online would have significantly enhanced the experience.
The collection also boasts a robust character roster. Players can unlock and play as over 200 characters from the Harry Potter universe, including fan favorites like Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, and even the ever-so-slightly-evil Draco Malfoy. Collecting and experimenting with these characters adds another layer of replayability to the game.
I did try to play this on PC, but I found the launcher to select which game to play, and the aspect ratio on an ultrawide didn’t seem quite right. So I reviewed this exclusively on the Deck, and had a smashing good time with it. The games run flawlessly on the Deck and even with everything maxed I was able to achieve a locked 90fps no problem. It looks and plays great here.
My Steam Deck (OLED) Specs
– SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
– Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
– 16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (6400 MT/s quad 32-bit channels)
– 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.6GHz (1.6 TFlops FP32)
– Steam Deck 1TB NVMe SSD
– HDR OLED (16:9 @ 1280 x 800)
While the improvements are noticeable, it isn’t pushing visual limits or providing groundbreaking gameplay, the LEGO Harry Potter Collection is incredibly good, and this remaster doesn’t disappoint. With its charming visuals, witty humor, and expansive environments to explore, the collection successfully captures the magic of the Wizarding World so many fell in love with, making it a perfect title to revisit or discover for the first time. LEGO Harry Potter Collection offers an enchanting and engaging experience for all ages.
A Steam code was provided by the publisher for review purposes
