Several Harry Potter-themed games have been made available in consoles and desktops in the past, yet there hasn’t been an official mobile game on the horizon, that is until a trailer was launched in the first quarter of 2018. It has just been a few weeks since the most-awaited game for Potterheads went online in different mobile app markets, but it has already climbed to the top of the charts as one of the most downloadable mobile games of late. What makes it such a hit? Let’s find out.
Licensed by Portkey Games, the official video game label of Warner Bros., Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is a role-playing game based on the wizarding world we all secretly want to be a part of. The game takes just 89 MB of your phone’s internal storage, which is quite surprising given decent graphics, although it does require a connection from the Internet to play.
Players have the chance to customize their own avatar, before they embark their journey to Hogwarts as young wizards and witches. It basically gives them the freedom to choose their physical appearance and clothing in the game. Don’t expect to bump into Harry, Hermione, and Ron though. The developers sets the game in 1980s, exactly seven years before “The Boy Who Lived” arrives at the magical Hogwarts School, to give fans a unique experience. And when we say unique, it means original stories, lore, and quests that you’ve never seen and read in Harry Potter movies and books.
The adventure begins with meeting Rowan Khanna, a fellow freshman who will serve as your guide in Hogwarts. In the beginning of the game, it will be disclosed to your character that your beloved brother Jacob, got expelled for attempting to open the so-called “cursed vaults.” This is where you start the mission to clean up your brother’s reputation, and discover the truth behind the rumors.
Feel free to attend magic classes, learn spells, brew potions, battle rivals and accomplish tasks, all of which gain you experience and house points for the annual House Cup. Avatars may roam around a very visually appealing Hogwarts, all patterned from the Harry Potter films. Aside from this, fans can also build up their avatar’s traits such as courage, empathy, and knowledge. As the game progresses, your avatar can establish friendships along the way, which could help you finish some of your quests.
The fate of the character mainly depends on the choices that the players make, most especially in the sorting ceremony. Interactions between notable characters in the series like Severus Snape, Rubeus Hagrid, and Minerva McGonagall is something that true Potterheads should look forward to.
Energy, gems, and coins are essential in this free-to-play game. You have the option to spend coins and gems to unlock premium items, like apparel and accessories for your character. If patience is your particular virtue, then this game is for you. Hogwarts Mystery, just like any adventure games in the market, uses energy to complete lessons and tasks. There are microtransactions that you can avail of to add your energy, coins, and gems, though unless you really have nothing to spend on, we suggest using your money elsewhere.
Newbies to the Harry Potter fandom who want to experience J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world, as well as die-hard Potterheads, would definitely love this mobile game. With an unexpected plot and exciting tasks to unlock, the magically filled mobile RPG is an app that no one can resist.
Words by Jewel Sta Ana
Art by Jael Mendoza
Developer and Publisher: Jam City
Platform: iOS and Android
Screenshots from Hogwarts Mystery
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE June 2018