The Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 is the second half of the Lego Harry Potter collection in which you follow your favourite characters through the last 4 movies. Much like the first game, it's available on a range of platforms such as Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo.
Although the second game was realised just one year after the first, I personally find the two very different when it comes to game play, graphics and its combat modes; some differences being better then others. However, what was guaranteed to stay the same was its beloved humour, family-friendly play and amazing attention to detail.
Similarly to the first game, Years 1-4, the Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 introduces something never seen before in a Lego game, good combat modes. If you are familiar with the Lego games franchise you will know that combat has never been a strong point in their games, however, the new duelling system changes that. In these one-on-one duels the player much pick the correct spell in order to beat their opponent which isn't challenging once you know what to do and doesn't consist of smashing random buttons in hopes of not dying. Along with this the spell system stays the same but introduces new spells like Aguamenti, a spell which water fires out of the players wand that can be used to water plants, fill up water tanks and put out fires.
A new feature that I love is the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes boxes, brightly coloured boxes full of helpful objects like fireworks and suction-cup shoes. What's unique about these boxed however is that only a Weasley family member can access the contents of the box, allowing players to come back later as a Weasley character in order to find collectables and unlock characters.
Although the last 4 movies, the ones in which you play through in this game, are a lot darker and heavier then the previous 4, the Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 manages to include both hard-hitting moments from the movie while keeping it lighthearted and full of humour. In the cut-scene in which it as believed Voldemort had killed Harry, who had huge cartoonish crosses over his eyes, revealed he was very much alive by wiping off the crosses he had drawn over the lenses.
One thing I wasn't so happy with was the very noticeable difference between the background and interactive objects which looked very plastic and shiny. However, one thing I cannot deny is the amazing detail once again in the backgrounds and settings. They have also expanded the map drastically, allowing players to explore locations such as the Weasley Wizard Wheezes store in Diagon Alley, the Black Lake and even a street in London.
Although I prefer the first game, Lego Harry Potter 5-7 not only successfully followed the darker half of the Harry Potter franchise, but managed to keep Lego's lightheartedness and humour which both make for an amazing game.
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