Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is out now for iOS and Android

Alright, muggles the wait is over! The makers of Pokémon Go, you know the folks over at Niantic Labs have dropped their newest game. The augmented reality game Pokémon Go was a cultural phenomenon. This time Niantic Labs based a whole world on the Harry Potter universe. The game is available now for both iOS and Android. The game is called Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, is very similar to Pokémon Go. By similar, I mean a clone. Alright, that is not fair. They do a great job with attention to detail to the Harry Potter Universe. Muggles, I mean players to walk around in a virtual map overlaid on the real world and collect magical artifacts.

Niantic and Portkey Games which is part of Warner Bros. Games have worked closely with the J.K. Rowling franchise to make sure everything is perfect. I have discovered a few bugs such as when you save a or share a picture the game can lock up. Wizards Unite had a beta in Australia and New Zealand back in May. So those folks were the first to have their hands on this sure to be an epic game.

The worldwide launch of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite begins this NOW! Just like Pokémon Go you can add friends with a series of long numbers. No word yet on teaming up but I am sure its only a matter time. Feel free to add me to your ranks. My mystery ID is 4261-3818-2993

While the game is an early launch and yes there are bugs. You will quickly get over it. Mobile games are most of the time done on a rolling basis. If a game is really big AAA game by with the name Harry Potter attached you take your time. Add to that the mechanics of Pokémon Go and you can clearly see why release in regions at various times of day over a few days makes sense. The US got it early and I’m sure no one is complaining. Have fun and happy hunting.

Pros – It’s Harry Potter mixed with what made Pokémon Go so much fun. It will get you out of the house. It will help you connect or in my case compete with your child.

Cons –  I haven’t gone in as deep into the Harry Potter world as Journey Brown-Saintel but so far from what I can tell; they cut some corners on the voice acting and the storyline is suspect. However, you can’t pull any of this together without some help from the JK crew. How much help is up for debate. It’s early days still but so far the game has crashed 4 times on me. Which, in my opinion, is a little annoying.

Cost: The game is free. There are in-game add-ons.

Aye/Nay: I say “aye” on this one. Very easy to pick up and fun to play. It does take time to create your character. I am still thinking about what wand I want to have. Only time will tell if the novelty wears off as it did with Pokémon Go.

Download by clicking: iOS (must be on Safari) or Android