The Best Open-Worlds In Harry Potter Games

Highlights

The
Harry Potter
franchise’s games span five console generations, impressively staying relevant for decades.
Hogwarts Legacy
sets a new standard as the first fully open-world
Harry Potter
game.
Older titles like
Half-Blood Prince
and
Order of the Phoenix
paved the way for the ultimate experience in
Hogwarts Legacy.

As someone who grew up with the magical world of Harry Potter, these games have been a delightful journey through my childhood memories. Each game has its unique charm and challenges that keep me engaged, but none compare to the freedom and immersion provided by Hogwarts Legacy.

Over the past two decades, the Harry Potter brand has raked in an enormous sum, primarily from movie and book sales, video games, merchandise, and theme parks. Remarkably, its game series has managed to release titles for five distinct console generations without any gaps – a feat that only a select number of franchises have been able to pull off successfully.

In the early days, consoles such as the PS1 and original Xbox restricted the scope for open-world experiences in Harry Potter games, but developers worked hard to make them as free-roaming as they could. Fortunately, advancements in technology led to improved games that offered more extensive exploration options, with Hogwarts Legacy being the latest, most comprehensive addition to the series’ gaming library. Here are some of the best open-world Harry Potter games set in this enchanting universe.

5 Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

A Good Game That Lacks A Little Depth

The game has few high points, yet remains interesting to play
Quidditch feels a bit more polished than in previous installments of the franchise

As a dedicated Harry Potter fan, I’ve got to admit that the game based on “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” isn’t exactly the crown jewel of video games in the series. Now, don’t get me wrong – there are some thrilling moments, an array of fresh spells, and pulse-pounding events that will keep any Potterhead on their toes. However, when stacked against other games in its genre, it doesn’t quite measure up with as many captivating features to propel it higher on my list.

As a dedicated fan, I feel it’s essential to clarify that unlike Hogwarts Legacy, most of the games on this list aren’t completely open-world. However, when playing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, you’ll have the freedom to explore Hogwarts and its surroundings at will, provided you don’t adhere strictly to a set questline unless you choose to do so. The main storyline does become somewhat linear, but compared to earlier games in the series, there’s definitely more room for exploration now than there once was.

4 Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

New Year New Spells

New spells and classes
Once the game reaches the creation of Dumbledore’s Army, things get very interesting

In a fresh rendition:

Just as other games in this magical world, playing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix isn’t a completely open-ended adventure, but it offers me the freedom to explore both inside and outside Hogwarts, uncovering every hidden corner and gathering the items and collectibles needed to fully conquer the game.

3 Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

One Of The Most Beloved Classics

Lighthearted missions that are tons of fun
Buckbeak’s challenges add another layer of entertainment to the game

2001 to 2005 marked an exceptional period for fans immersed in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as it brought forth some of the most engaging movies from the series and accompanying games that have stood the test of time, still providing enjoyable gameplay today. While subsequent releases weren’t exclusively made for mature audiences, it is evident that at least during the first three films and games, these were tailored for young children – a logical choice given the intended audience was indeed them. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban offers numerous entertaining missions that are neither overly difficult nor too easy to be tedious.

Flying on Buckbeak over various time trials and gliding above Hogwarts’ stone walls is probably an unforgettable memory for any child who followed the series. Similar to other Harry Potter books, players can move about freely within the castle and certain grounds, but not quite with the same level of freedom a full-blown open-world game would offer.

2 Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

A Strong Sequel To The Philosopher’s Stone

Puzzles, time challenges, and platforming levels are a blast
The Basilisk looks a bit ridiculous compared to the movie version

The sequel to “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” titled “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” significantly enhanced many weaknesses found in its precursor. Given that the previous installment was an exceptional work, this underscores the exceptional quality of the latter. In “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” players encountered fresh challenges such as platforming stages, magical duels, and brain-teasing puzzles that left many scratching their heads in confusion.

The final battle against the Basilisk remains, to this day, a little underwhelming, especially due to the creature’s size in the game, which is but a fraction of what moviegoers saw on the big screen. This, however, can be forgiven considering how limited consoles were at the time. Just like the rest of the titles already mentioned on this list, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets lets players roam with a certain degree of freedom, but can’t be considered a true open-world title.

1 Hogwarts Legacy

The Ultimate Open-World Experience For Harry Potter Veterans

First fully open-world game in the Harry Potter franchise
Players can change outfits, sort out their spells, and purchase different brooms
Character and enemy design truly shine, as does the voice acting

Hogwarts Legacy transformed our expectations for a Harry Potter game, significantly enhancing the experience in numerous ways. Prior to its release, fans had been given occasional games, mostly under the LEGO label. While those games were enjoyable and fun to play with loved ones, fans yearned for more depth, and Hogwarts Legacy provided it. As the first fully open-world game in the Harry Potter series, players can delve into Hogwarts, traverse its surrounding grounds, visit Hogsmeade, and even venture to perilous parts of the world – all while personalizing their character’s appearance, broom, and abilities.

In this game, you may not find Quidditch, but soaring above the world on a swift magical broom is an incredibly fun adventure. The character designs are fantastic, the voice acting is top-notch, and it gets even better because there are more spells than in previous versions of the franchise, though some might not be as effective. All in all, Hogwarts Legacy breaks free from the limitations that held back its predecessors, leveraging modern technology to deliver a visually stunning game with solid mechanics.

2024-08-16 11:34