Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions feels like a trial run for its inclusion in Hogwarts Legacy 2

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I played Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, and I feel like it’s a test version for the game’s inclusion in the likely sequel to Hogwarts Legacy. I bet Warner Bros. Games separated the experiences so they could sell two games to Harry Potter fans. After Hogwarts Legacy became the best-selling game of 2023, I think a sequel can’t exist without Quidditch. If Quidditch is going to be part of Hogwarts Legacy 2, then the experience in Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions needs improvements. The game feels overwhelming but fun in short bursts. Here are some things I like and dislike about the game so far.

Positives:

• Explainer: The game does a decent job of breaking down the complicated game of Quidditch with introductory videos and tutorials for each position on the field.
• Mechanics: The basic gameplay is straightforward. You fly on your broomstick, grab the Quaffle, and try to score while avoiding being tackled or losing the Quaffle.
• Customization: You can customize each member of your Quidditch team with a decent amount of options for faces, hairstyles, colors, outfits, and accessories.
• Presentation: The top-level presentation is good, with an appealing main menu and four different game modes to choose from.
• Performance: The game runs smoothly even on older hardware.

Negatives:

• Overload: The game feels overwhelming with so much happening on the screen at once, making it hard to keep track of everything.
• Handling: Controlling characters is tougher than it should be, especially when quickly shifting between positions.
• Roleplay: Different roles on the team vary in fun factor, and some positions feel less engaging than others.
• Fun factor: The game feels fun only in short bursts and seems like it would work better as a side activity in a larger game set in the Wizarding World.

Overall, I think this game will only have staying power for die-hard Quidditch fans. It has its moments of fun gameplay, especially in multiplayer, but the overwhelming and unrefined controls, as well as the lackluster aspects, make it less enjoyable for me. However, integrating Quidditch into an open-world adventure in Hogwarts Legacy 2 could add more immersion and narrative, making the matches more engaging and the overall experience more magical.