All 3 of my sons (and husband), are fans of the Harry Potter universe.
I therefore thought it would be a nice surprise for them to play the newest chapter in Harry merchandise a new Xbox 360 game, Harry Potter for Kinect.
Game overview:
The all-new Harry Potter for Kinect video game exclusively on KINECT™ for Xbox 360® allows players to experience Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the wizarding world like never before!
Through the innovative KINECT capability, each player can scan their face to create a wizard avatar in their likeness – and then play as their avatar in the game.
Using controller-free and voice recognition technology available only on KINECT, players will attend Hogwarts, interact with professors, students and friends, call out spells to cast against opponents, brew potions, and even fly as they race on broomsticks to be the first to catch the Golden Snitch in a Quidditch match.
Game features:
- For the first time, create a witch or wizard character in your likeness that will become part of the gameplay through KINECT’s scanning technology.
- Experience unforgettable moments from all eight films -- from having your wand choose you at Ollivanders and being Sorted as a first-year student at Hogwarts, to battling You-Know-Who in a climactic wizard battle.
- Cast spells at your opponents by performing the proper casting manoeuvres and calling out spell names using KINECT’s controller-free and voice recognition capabilities.
- Hone your casting, brewing and duelling skills (among others) in class to unlock even more lessons and challenges.
- Challenge a friend in competitive mini-games, or join forces against a mutual opponent in co-op games.
- Jump, duck and dodge the wild branches of the Whomping Willow, swipe at annoying and sometimes dangerous pixies, repel terrifying Dementors, swim among Grindylows in the lake, and shove opponents out of the way as you soar above the Quidditch Pitch.
What we think of the game:
Xbox on check.
Kinect working check.
Game loaded and ready to play check.
Off we go, first impressions of the children are that the game takes an age to load and set up, longer than their usual games.
I reminisce about how long spectrum games take to load and remind them of this. "Never heard that story before" they all say.
Cheek.
Essentially you follow the rough story of the books from Harry's starting at Hogwarts right up to a final battle with Voldermort and the Deatheaters.
Cut scenes interspersed with short mini games are the order of the day.
Observing from the sofa the production values are great, really atmospheric.
The older children are not as keen on the game as my younger son. They find it quite repetitive in places wave arm, dodge, wave arm, dodge etc.
My youngest though is impressed, easily immersing himself into the game world and accepting the limitations of the Kinect.
You can also use the Kinect to add your face to a character in the game which is "cool" according to my son.
Plus points-
Other than the odd difficult section a nice easy game, more suitable for younger Harry fans.
If your a fan of Harry Potter the game does a good job of creating the look and feel of the movies and books. Superb audio, graphically pretty good.
Gives a reason to dust off the Kinect and have fun.
Minus points-
Usual Kinect limitations, movement sometimes not recognised having to repeat action to get response.
Too easy for older children definitely suited to the younger age group.
Short in length and too much repetition. Good for 10-15 minute sessions would not recommend for a marathon gaming session.
This is a platform action adventure game by Warner Bros. Suitable for 12 years and over...
About this review- we were sent a copy of the Harry potter Kinect video game for the purpose of this review. I was not paid for this post and all thoughts are my own honest opinion.
My husband also said for people that care about these things apparently quite a few?
It is quite easy to get a good gamerscore for this after two hours play he had 600 out of 1000 points unlocked already. Whatever that means?!!!
*pr sample sent to me in exchange for honest review*
