It's clear that the guys at Traveller's Tales don't get to take vacations. In just the past few months, the studio has released LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars and LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean, but it seems that they've also been hard at work on yet another LEGO title: LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7. Whew.
The game, due out for a holiday 2011 release, is based on the last three books in the Harry Potter series (or final four movies, if you're one of those film buffs). Warner promises that players will be able to visit familiar places such as Diagon Alley and Hogwarts, as well as locations that are new to the LEGO series such as Grimmauld Place, the Ministry of Magic, and Godric's Hollow.
“In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, we are giving gamers a truly epic conclusion to the most successful movie franchise in history with delightful gameplay for fans of all ages,” said Tom Stone, managing director at TT Games. “We have built upon the first game and are giving fans even more magical abilities, puzzle solving, and exploration, in addition to our distinctive brand of hilarious LEGO humor and charm.”
Speaking personally, I have little doubt that the latest game in the LEGO franchise will continue to deliver whimsy and humor. I only hope that this game pushes the boundaries of the LEGO formula a bit more than LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean did. The series has always been on the formulaic side, and it's struggled to evolve over the years. If this one merely offers more of the same I'd forgive anyone who taps out, citing general fatigue.