Harry Potter Wizards Unite might be the most hyped game in recent memory, and it’s easy to see why. The game features beloved characters and elements from the Harry Potter universe, but you don’t have to be an expert on the world of wizards to enjoy this game. It is full of magic, surprises, and a great community of players who are always willing to help you on your journey.

The game was released on June 21, 2019, and is available on different mobile platforms, including iOS and Android. Harry Potter Wizards Unite was co-developed by Niantic and WB Games, San Francisco and published by Niantic. This mobile-augmented reality game is perfect for both fans of the series and those who may not know much about it.

Like Pokemon Go, but with Magic, Spells, and Wands

If you are familiar with Niantic, the makers of Pokémon Go, you may have an idea of what Harry Potter Wizards Unite will be like. If not, then let me fill you in on the basics of this new augmented reality game based on the Harry Potter series. In Harry Potter Wizards Unite, you’ll explore your real-world surroundings and collect artifacts, fight off beasts and other magical creatures, and level up while helping reclaim some of the lost magic stolen from the wizarding world.

With some spells, some foggy landscapes, and a lot of magic, Harry Potter Wizards Unite takes the Harry Potter fandom back to where it began. The gameplay is fairly simple, with players catching different versions of magical creatures called foundables that pop up everywhere. You get points when you find foundables and more if you release rare ones. Also, it has an AR component for added effects!

Exciting Quests that Make the Game More Engaging

In Harry Potter Wizards Unite, players collect foundables spread across the map to complete quests. Once a player completes a quest, they will earn rewards such as coins and experience points. Some quests are more difficult than others, but it’s worth trying to complete them all, as they offer some of the best rewards. Players can also join forces with other players to complete a quest, which can help speed up the process. 

The Gameplay Involves Lots of Spells and Potions

The attacking aspect of the game relies heavily on using spells, while the defending requires both spells and potions. You’ll find plenty throughout the lands — whether they’re in Inn or Greenhouses, so don’t worry about running out. These potions make it easier to keep fighting against your opponent. 

Casting spells is a little more complicated than simply throwing balls at them. Each spell has its pattern that needs to be traced to get the maximum amount of experience points possible for each spell cast (depending on how fast you can trace it and how accurately). The rating the spell gets when you cast it — either Good, Fair or Poor — determines what kind of effect it would have on your opponent and their health meter.

Finding Foundables Is Exciting but Lacks Depth

I would have appreciated more stories behind most of the foundables I encounter and the confoundables that trap them. For instance, plants capture fairies and creatures capture people through a rotating wheel of recognizable characters and objects. It doesn’t have the underlying logic identified with the books, and it doesn’t help that some of the visuals are unexciting, especially the skeletal pixies and shrieking Azkaban wanted posters. 

The designs seem to be based on the Harry Potter movies, not the book illustrations, giving them a 2010 feel instead of the timelessness of a fairy tale. At their best, items are enjoyably chaotic; at worst, grotesque and boring. Sometimes, I would get tempted to turn off the AR, as objects would float on tables or walls unless I’m in a mostly flat landscape. This was a problem with Pokémon Go as well, but it usually looked less intrusive due to the scale of the creatures.

It is also annoying that some of the foundables, including Hagrid in the tutorial section, are people. For example, it’s weird to find Ginny Weasley in a library only to cast a spell to make her disappear. What brings her there? Is she scared? No one knows. Others are rather ordinary. Despite this being important information for wizards, there isn’t much thrill when I encounter interdepartmental memos waiting for me in danger.

Penelope, however, explains that the stolen people and items were useful or loved by someone. This explanation implies that when you release a foundable, it returns to its home. For example, Hagrid returns to his Cabin, thus bringing him back home, and preventing Muggles from discovering the truth about wizards (one of the major principles of the game). Placing items in the Registry grants bonus experience points and Runes for accessing Fortresses, where certain magical creatures can exist without attracting any attention.

The Graphics and Sound Are So Realistic that You Become Part of the Game

I was really surprised by how realistic the graphics are. The game is rendered in 3D (though you can also play in 2D), making it seem like you are walking around in the world of Harry Potter. So much detail is put into the map, from small shops to individual characters that have been animated. Even though you’re looking at a video game, you feel a sense of realism because everything seems so detailed and lifelike. It’s hard not to get lost exploring Hogwarts or Diagon Alley just to get a feel of the little details.  

The Harry Potter Wizards Unite app has many background sound effects. Some of these sounds are ambient noises like rain, thunder, or birds chirping. Others are more active, such as when a Death Eater appears to attack or when someone casts an immobilizing spell on another player. The sound is calming and exciting as it indicates that something is always happening that could potentially lead to a successful capture.

Conclusion 

If you are looking for a game to play with your friends and family, look no further than Harry Potter Wizards Unite. It is a great way to spend time together while exploring the world of Harry Potter. This game is more suited towards Harry Potter fans than casual gamers, but if you love all things wizarding, this game will be worth the download. You can team up with other players to fight against dark forces in both the muggle and wizarding worlds. The app is visually beautiful, and several mini-games take place in familiar locations from the movies.