Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 Review for Xbox 360

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 Box Art

System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, DS
Dev: EA Bright Light
Pub: EA
Release: July 12, 2011
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Fantasy Violence

The story mode absolutely fails to impress, and unfortunately, it is the only mode that you can play. Technically, there is a challenge mode that lets you replay levels from the story mode and put your score on the leaderboard, and there is an unlockable multiplayer mode, but both of these feel like tacked-on additions that were just included to bolster the game's features list. It's not surprising, considering there's not much you can do with the third-person wand-ing format. Since the gameplay isn't exactly the greatest, I suppose the lack of content isn't so much of a bad thing—at least the pain of the experience isn't prolonged. Still, if you pay $50 for a game, it isn't wrong to hope that you might get more than an afternoon's enjoyment out of it.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 Screenshot

In case I haven't totally convinced you yet, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is not a good game. It's sad that the last game to ever bear the Harry Potter name (well, until the inevitable MMO) is such a disappointment. The game series as a whole has had its ups and downs over the years, and it's sort of hard to look back on the series as a complete failure. Still, like facing Voldemort, it's something I've had to do.

So long, Harry Potter game series. I can't say it was nice knowing you. I look forward to watching your final act on the big screen, though.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Senior Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.2

Graphics
Character models look horrible, and animations are awkward. Settings are lifeless and don't represent "The Wizarding World" at all.

3.0

Control
Controls are simple and easy to use, but boring overall.

2.6

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Voiceover is hilarious, but can be repetitive after long stretches of play. Music sounds great.

1.7

Play Value
Single-player is short, and beyond a score challenge mode, there's nothing to really do with this game.

2.3

Overall Rating - Poor
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Play the Parts of Your Heroes - Take on the role of different characters as each plays a pivotal role in the battle for Hogwarts.

Experience the power of the Dark Lord - Collect the Dark Mark tokens in-game to unlock and play as Voldemort in multiplayer mode.

Pair Up - To face the most powerful Dark Forces, you are going to need your friends. Play through all levels as a team, defending each other from the evil lurking around every corner.

Fight the Dark forces - Use your magical skills to defeat Death Eaters, Snatchers, and giants thirsting for destruction.