Can you catch the Golden Snitch?
By Paul Hunter
Following the smash hit Hogwarts Legacy, Warner Bros. Games invites us back into the enchanting world of wizards and witches with Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. Developed by Unbroken Studios, this game focuses on the beloved sport of Quidditch, capturing the thrill of flying on broomsticks and competing in this magical sport. The popular Harry Potter sport was surprisingly absent from Hogwarts Legacy, so it's great that Quidditch Champions is here to fill the gap.
The game features single-player tournaments and competitive online multiplayer, allowing you to challenge friends and players worldwide. Let's dive into the world of Quidditch and discover whether this title lives up to the magic of the franchise.
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions allows you to experience the thrill of flying on broomsticks, showcasing your skills as you aim to become a Quidditch champion.
One of the standout features is the single-player career modes that allow you to play in Hogwarts' House Quidditch Cup as your preferred house, whether that's Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Not only that but there's also a Triwizard tournament where you can represent one of the schools, be it Hogwarts, Beauxbatons or Durmstrang. Completing that competition unlocks The Quidditch World Cup where you can represent one of 16 nations in the ultimate Quidditch tournament.
The game also includes a variety of playable characters, most of them unlocked by completing specific challenges, each with unique abilities and styles. Playable characters include Ginny Weasley, Poppy Sweeting, Ron Weasley, Cho Chang, and, of course, Harry Potter. Some premium characters can only be purchased through the in-game market, but thankfully they can be bought using currency acquired as you play.
From a gameplay perspective, the controls are designed to be accessible, making it easy for newcomers to jump right in. There are quite a few tutorials where you can learn the basics of Quidditch, such as how to control the broomstick, score points with the Quaffle and capture the golden snitch.
There are four positions to choose from, including the Chaser who actively seeks out the Quaffle to score goals, the Keeper defends the goal rings, the Beater who aggressively attacks the opposing team, and the Seeker whose goal is to capture the golden snitch. No matter which position you play, the controls are simple to learn and straightforward to master. During matches, you can switch between offensive and defensive roles depending on what's needed.
One of the standout features is the fast-paced action. Matches are thrilling, with players darting around the pitch, trying to score goals and catch the Golden Snitch. The game incorporates various character abilities, making each player feel unique. You can choose from different teams, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, adding a layer of strategy to your gameplay.
Quidditch Champions also includes cross-play, making it easy to connect with friends across different platforms and should help to keep the player base size healthy. There's also cross-progression, so you can continue your progress no matter which platform you're playing on.
Visually, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions impresses with its vibrant graphics that bring the Wizarding World to life. The game features beautifully designed arena environments filled with rich details, making you feel immersed in the magical atmosphere. Performance on the PS5 was very stable, no matter if I was playing the single-player campaign or went online for 3v3 matches.
The character models are well-crafted with a soft cartoon feel to them, capturing the essence of beloved figures from the franchise. Flying on the broomstick during matches is fluid, and it's quite a rush soaring through the air and engaging in intense air battles with other players.
The game's soundtrack is lively and heightens the action on the pitch. Each match is filled with exciting sound effects, from the swoosh of broomsticks to the cheers of the crowd. These elements work together to enhance the thrill of playing Quidditch.
Voice acting is another highlight, with familiar characters bringing the story to life. Familiar Harry Potter voices will introduce you to playing the game, how to handle each position and guides you along the single-player campaign.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Developer: Unbroken Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Following the smash hit Hogwarts Legacy, Warner Bros. Games invites us back into the enchanting world of wizards and witches with Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. Developed by Unbroken Studios, this game focuses on the beloved sport of Quidditch, capturing the thrill of flying on broomsticks and competing in this magical sport. The popular Harry Potter sport was surprisingly absent from Hogwarts Legacy, so it's great that Quidditch Champions is here to fill the gap.
The game features single-player tournaments and competitive online multiplayer, allowing you to challenge friends and players worldwide. Let's dive into the world of Quidditch and discover whether this title lives up to the magic of the franchise.
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions allows you to experience the thrill of flying on broomsticks, showcasing your skills as you aim to become a Quidditch champion.
One of the standout features is the single-player career modes that allow you to play in Hogwarts' House Quidditch Cup as your preferred house, whether that's Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Not only that but there's also a Triwizard tournament where you can represent one of the schools, be it Hogwarts, Beauxbatons or Durmstrang. Completing that competition unlocks The Quidditch World Cup where you can represent one of 16 nations in the ultimate Quidditch tournament.
The game also includes a variety of playable characters, most of them unlocked by completing specific challenges, each with unique abilities and styles. Playable characters include Ginny Weasley, Poppy Sweeting, Ron Weasley, Cho Chang, and, of course, Harry Potter. Some premium characters can only be purchased through the in-game market, but thankfully they can be bought using currency acquired as you play.
From a gameplay perspective, the controls are designed to be accessible, making it easy for newcomers to jump right in. There are quite a few tutorials where you can learn the basics of Quidditch, such as how to control the broomstick, score points with the Quaffle and capture the golden snitch.
There are four positions to choose from, including the Chaser who actively seeks out the Quaffle to score goals, the Keeper defends the goal rings, the Beater who aggressively attacks the opposing team, and the Seeker whose goal is to capture the golden snitch. No matter which position you play, the controls are simple to learn and straightforward to master. During matches, you can switch between offensive and defensive roles depending on what's needed.
One of the standout features is the fast-paced action. Matches are thrilling, with players darting around the pitch, trying to score goals and catch the Golden Snitch. The game incorporates various character abilities, making each player feel unique. You can choose from different teams, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, adding a layer of strategy to your gameplay.
Quidditch Champions also includes cross-play, making it easy to connect with friends across different platforms and should help to keep the player base size healthy. There's also cross-progression, so you can continue your progress no matter which platform you're playing on.
Visually, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions impresses with its vibrant graphics that bring the Wizarding World to life. The game features beautifully designed arena environments filled with rich details, making you feel immersed in the magical atmosphere. Performance on the PS5 was very stable, no matter if I was playing the single-player campaign or went online for 3v3 matches.
The character models are well-crafted with a soft cartoon feel to them, capturing the essence of beloved figures from the franchise. Flying on the broomstick during matches is fluid, and it's quite a rush soaring through the air and engaging in intense air battles with other players.
The game's soundtrack is lively and heightens the action on the pitch. Each match is filled with exciting sound effects, from the swoosh of broomsticks to the cheers of the crowd. These elements work together to enhance the thrill of playing Quidditch.
Voice acting is another highlight, with familiar characters bringing the story to life. Familiar Harry Potter voices will introduce you to playing the game, how to handle each position and guides you along the single-player campaign.
The Verdict
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions successfully recreates the magical atmosphere of Quidditch. The accessible gameplay allows you to quickly pick up the basics and join in the fun. One drawback though is at launch there's a limited amount of modes, so the the future of Quidditch Champions largely depends on how Warner Bros. chooses to support the game post-launch. If you're a fan of Harry Potter it’s worth a try, especially with its current availability on PlayStation Plus.Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Unbroken Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.