Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery

 iOS
User Score
2.3

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 135 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 135
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 135
  3. Negative: 106 out of 135
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  1. myownrule
    May 15, 2018
    10
    Many years have passed since I played such a game.
    Everyone should at least give this game a chance.
    Right now, I've spent more than 10 hours playing it.
    Universal acclaim, is what this game deserves.
    Lots of praise to the developers and producers.
    Awesome game, not much else to say.
  2. AnzuRed
    May 27, 2018
    10
    Five (5) cute facts about Merula:

    1: Merula a cute. A cute!
    2: She is the strongest!
    3: I love her!
    4: Merula!
  3. NadavFreedman22
    May 29, 2018
    10
    At first, I thought this game was pretty bad, but after I gave it a chance, it was pretty darn good!
  4. merumeru
    May 15, 2018
    10
    Meru is perfect; She is completely flawless. As I played, I noticed that every time she looked at my character when he wasn't noticing her, I could see her warm and happy smile. I just want to pat her head, hold her hand and stare into those tired purple eyes as I confess my undying love for her.

    I began marking on the back of an envelope every time she stole my heart. I stopped only    Meru is perfect; She is completely flawless. As I played, I noticed that every time she looked at my character when he wasn't noticing her, I could see her warm and happy smile. I just want to pat her head, hold her hand and stare into those tired purple eyes as I confess my undying love for her.

    I began marking on the back of an envelope every time she stole my heart. I stopped only after I had marked the envelope several million times. I was incredulous. The game is so governed by cliches and dead metaphors that Merula's utter existence is not in line with the style of writing. Later I read a lavish, loving review of Merula by the same Asuka Langley Soryu. She wrote something to the effect of, "If these kids are liking Merula at 11 or 12, then when they get older they will go on to like best girls." And she was quite right. She was not being ironic. When you love Merula you are, in fact, trained to love best girls.    … Expand
  5. MrWeanus
    May 15, 2018
    10
    This visual novel was a great experience for one reason and one reason only, that is of course best girl Merula, I do believe that liking Merula is what the Buddha felt when fighting against the suffering of the world and attaining inner piece, it is safe to say that a child who grew up liking Merula will become a devout Buddhist/Christian/Hindu/Shintoist when they are older.
  6. ProfMcGear
    Jan 7, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This videogame is the perfect union between the book canon and the films cannon. The graphics are better than 'Episode' graphics, even Voldemort appears as is described in the books, as a red-eyed being. The story mode is pretty convincing, and even though it is not completely conected to the "Harry Potter School Era", it's a complete reminiscence of the original books, and it takes and materialize what the films couldn't bring to life because of timing or budget. The posibility of make friends that in "Harry Potter School Era" are adults and even some of them are not even mentioned, it's the best and complete story arc ever made rather than voldemort insecure presence trough all the films and books. Jacob's disappearance, the mystery of the organization of "R" and the fact of the existence of the Cursed Vaults (vital factor in the plot of "The Player's School Stage") make the video game a perfect successor (as for our temporal location) and predecessor (from the point of view of the game) of its origins and also a unique product because it has no relationship (almost) with the original franchise and makes us be part of something of or that we never thought we would be part of.… Expand
  7. DriveTG
    Apr 13, 2021
    9
    The game is very entertaining. It is not perfect, but of course it is the Harry Potter game where you have the most interactions with its characters, it's the best thing about this game, its damn characters.
    In addition, every year they implement new mechanics, Quidditch, Romance, new activities ...

    Otherwise, the game has a slow progression.
  8. Elizabeth2020
    Mar 29, 2020
    9
    Happy to see a HP game on Android, as I played some on PC back in the day))
  9. Reynald
    May 21, 2019
    8
    This game is actually good but have bad energy system.And the fifth year have a good mystery but it's waaaay too long
  10. MatBlue
    Apr 7, 2022
    8
    despite being a fairly obvious cash grab, and the game being frequently interrupted by annoying paywalls, it's still a fairly decent game to die-hard harry potter fans, and you can see the dedication put into it throughout an insane amount (more than eighty-four) chapters spread across seven "years" with various enjoyable side missions and activities which may even surpass thedespite being a fairly obvious cash grab, and the game being frequently interrupted by annoying paywalls, it's still a fairly decent game to die-hard harry potter fans, and you can see the dedication put into it throughout an insane amount (more than eighty-four) chapters spread across seven "years" with various enjoyable side missions and activities which may even surpass the ever-annoying paywalls that interrupt game play every ten minutes.… Expand
  11. vvmax
    May 30, 2018
    7
    It’s okay. I love the idea. The side characters are well written (other than Snape) and a brilliant story but the reason I rate the game a 7 no 9 or 10 is that the Microtransactions ruined the game for me. You have ‘Energy’ points which gets lower by doing things in the game. And if you run out of Energy you have to wait like 2 hours to get more or you could buy Gems with real money to buyIt’s okay. I love the idea. The side characters are well written (other than Snape) and a brilliant story but the reason I rate the game a 7 no 9 or 10 is that the Microtransactions ruined the game for me. You have ‘Energy’ points which gets lower by doing things in the game. And if you run out of Energy you have to wait like 2 hours to get more or you could buy Gems with real money to buy energy. And this would be fine if you had more of it to start with but you have a very small amount (I think it’s 25)… Expand
  12. LeFences
    Jan 13, 2022
    7
    Considero que el juego presenta una muy buena historia y jugabilidad entretenida. Jam City hace un esfuerzo tremendo para mantener el juego a flote y lo hacen muy bien.

    ¡Ojo!, no digo que el sistema de energía me guste, pero para las personas ocupadas es un descanso para el jugador. Tiende a tornarse adictivo también. Personalmente no lo estoy jugando ya por un tema de espacio y de    Considero que el juego presenta una muy buena historia y jugabilidad entretenida. Jam City hace un esfuerzo tremendo para mantener el juego a flote y lo hacen muy bien.

    ¡Ojo!, no digo que el sistema de energía me guste, pero para las personas ocupadas es un descanso para el jugador. Tiende a tornarse adictivo también.

    Personalmente no lo estoy jugando ya por un tema de espacio y de tiempo, pero esta entrega me gustó y considero que el sistema de energía es lo que le jugó en contra.    … Expand
  13. Willywonka180
    Dec 10, 2020
    6
    Could have been much better! Might as well just make the game cost money! Cash grab! It still has fine gameplay though and it does look fine:
  14. LeonardoHDV
    Feb 18, 2023
    6
    GODDAMN ENERGY SYSTEM, this game is not about GAMEPLAY, it's about Story, the game could be better of course, it's a nice game, made with love, been constantly actualized, but there's some issues in this game that i cannot ignore, like i said first, DAM ENERGY SYSTEM MAN, a cool e relaxing game, but don't take it seriously, it's like a fan-fic game, but with the seal of Wizarding World.
  15. JohnnyVittor
    Sep 24, 2020
    5
    O Jogo tinha muito para ser INCRÍVEL, no entanto, a espera e toda enrolação no próprio jogo é enjoante e entediante.
  16. Floro
    Nov 3, 2021
    5
    The gameplay is linear as heck. Like seriously, there isn't anything to do except complete story missions, which can be annoying since it also pretty much has no gameplay whatsoever. The energy system is also annoying, it ruins every game. The only thing that makes this game kinda enjoyable is the plot and options to progress through it. Other than that, this game doesn't offer much fun.
  17. Dartanimations
    Dec 11, 2019
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game isn't all that bad. (Not that it is good, anyway.) The plot of each year kind of copies from the films, and it is especially noticed in the main character's third year: the main character sneaks to Hogsmeade. Copies from Prisoner of Azkaban, when Harry sneaks into it. It is a meh, and it tries to repeat plot points from the previous films and books, but fails miserably. Another issue is that you have to pay for stuff that is useless, you have to wait dor hours until your energy is restocked, and the fact that to complete something, you tap blue lines and fill them. Just tap. This happens as well with the dueling. You have three options: Defensive, Aggresive, and Sneaky. You have to choose. It is just rock paper scissors. Boring, copied, and uneccessary.… Expand
  18. mikesgold2K
    Feb 3, 2021
    4
    pomysł ciekawy, jednak wykonanie nieszczególnie. Koncepcja tworzenia swojej postaci i przeżycia edukacji w Hogwarcie to jednak coś, co zasługuje na więcej. Fabuła nawet spoko, choć drażni fakt bycia czasem kalką historii Harry'ego. Wszystkie ciekawe pomysły jak lekcje, relacje z różnymi postaciami, magia czy quidditch blednie przy monotonnej rozgrywce polegającej na klikaniu oraz czekaniupomysł ciekawy, jednak wykonanie nieszczególnie. Koncepcja tworzenia swojej postaci i przeżycia edukacji w Hogwarcie to jednak coś, co zasługuje na więcej. Fabuła nawet spoko, choć drażni fakt bycia czasem kalką historii Harry'ego. Wszystkie ciekawe pomysły jak lekcje, relacje z różnymi postaciami, magia czy quidditch blednie przy monotonnej rozgrywce polegającej na klikaniu oraz czekaniu aż energia się zregeneruje. Nieważnie co robimy, musimy bezmyślnie stukać ekran, czy to lekcja, czy poszukiwanie czegoś, rozmowa. Totalny niewypał mający tylko wymusić na niecierpliwych mikrotransakcje. A naprawdę szkoda, bo był ciekawy potencjał stworzenia takiego małego prequela przygód czarodzieja z blizną na czole.… Expand
  19. EljeroTV
    Apr 26, 2018
    3
    Combining a time limit in which certain events have to be finished with an energy system where you constantly have to wait for it being refilled to fulfill any actions, is the most dreadful thing I have ever come across in a "freemium" game.

    And sadly, the rest of the game - while showing some promising nuances and Harry Potter-flair are far from exceptional enough to make up for this.    Combining a time limit in which certain events have to be finished with an energy system where you constantly have to wait for it being refilled to fulfill any actions, is the most dreadful thing I have ever come across in a "freemium" game.

    And sadly, the rest of the game - while showing some promising nuances and Harry Potter-flair are far from exceptional enough to make up for this.

    Really a wasted opportunity.    … Expand
  20. ShrekMaster
    Apr 7, 2020
    3
    Glitch: It says “game” but all it is is a boring cash grab attempting to milk the Harry Potter franchise.
  21. Peercival
    Feb 1, 2021
    3
    There are a few aspects I would like to break down, so I am gonna split this up into a few sections.

    The Gameplay We create our character and arrive in Diagon Alley and buy our books and wand. Then after choosing our house we get to our first lessons. During lessons, you simply tap on objects using the ''energy'' currency. You spend some energy, then need to wait a few hours for it to    There are a few aspects I would like to break down, so I am gonna split this up into a few sections.

    The Gameplay
    We create our character and arrive in Diagon Alley and buy our books and wand. Then after choosing our house we get to our first lessons. During lessons, you simply tap on objects using the ''energy'' currency. You spend some energy, then need to wait a few hours for it to refill. Otherwise, you need to spend money to speed up the process. In the end, you just swipe a specific shape on the screen, and you have learned a spell or potion or something else. My conclusion is that the gameplay misses some elements to make it interesting, and the ''energy'' completely ruins it. I'd give gameplay four out of ten.

    The Plot and Story
    The story is completely different from the original and is pretty unique. It has some canonical mistakes, (link omitted per site rules) but overall the story is very good if you are a fan of Harry Potter. I'd give the story a nine out of ten.

    Microtransactions and Currency
    As I mentioned before, energy ruins the game. Even the wizard Zoology in the game is ruined by a notebook currency. The microtransactions and this energy/stamina-like gameplay completely ruin the potential this mobile RPG had.

    Final Conclusion
    The game had huge potential but was ruined mostly by the stamina-like gameplay, microtransactions, and other things. This game gets a three out of ten score from me.    … Expand
  22. PeterGray
    Feb 12, 2023
    3
    Average story hidden behind a pay-to-play wall or a long wait time.
    Gameplay is not that interesting.
  23. VickKiang
    Jan 17, 2022
    3
    Superficially appearing to be a free RPG with a reasonable design, gameplay shallow with straightforward swiping and clicking but the storylines appear exceptional. Some of the game modes are slightly better other than those lessons, with duelling comprising a rock paper scissor system but is satisfactory; choices could be made, unearthing slightly different character arcs during variousSuperficially appearing to be a free RPG with a reasonable design, gameplay shallow with straightforward swiping and clicking but the storylines appear exceptional. Some of the game modes are slightly better other than those lessons, with duelling comprising a rock paper scissor system but is satisfactory; choices could be made, unearthing slightly different character arcs during various chances, particularly during the consolidation with friends (nevertheless, the choices are decidedly simple that anyone would select the correct answer). The storyline has flaws (e.g., Snape loathing you despite you selecting Slytherin), and various aspects are similar to the original Harry Potter, but overall it is a nice RPG storywise with solid development, particularly regarding your brother. It is exceptionally fun to watch the different characters, especially the charming professors, still, some characters, such as the vexatious Rowan, are dull.

    If the gameplay is a decent 7, the microtransaction system is nothing other than ludicrous absurdity. Essentially, the game has an energy system with a bar of a maximum of 25 that recharges one every four minutes! During lessons, you are imposed to tap objects that will reduce your energy, inducing you to wait endlessly or wait for four minutes, tap once and subsequently wait again! Even compounded is that the lessons have a real-time limit- if you do not complete them successfully on time, repeating is required, which manifests a vicious circle into having you purchase money to purchase gems to gain energy. This is a deplorable freemium system, and other side quests, such as caring for your magical creature or duelling, also require time limits or paying gems; which is atrocious! This abominable model incontrovertibly ruins a flawed and shallow yet charming RPG into one insurmountable cash grab. And despite this potentially being a filler and my continued desire to play to observe fascinating moments with Snape, this horrible system deserves panning.    … Expand
  24. lordfaust
    May 11, 2023
    3
    The game is constantly buggy, and
  25. Gharren
    Jun 10, 2018
    2
    This game could have been a decent dive into the mobile market for the Harry Potter franchise, but is ruined by greedy devs and quite literal paywalls. The initial impression was good for a free mobile game - solid style, good sound, the character creation is limited, but at least it's there, and there is SOME hint of player choice... then it spirals downwards into the abyss of the mobileThis game could have been a decent dive into the mobile market for the Harry Potter franchise, but is ruined by greedy devs and quite literal paywalls. The initial impression was good for a free mobile game - solid style, good sound, the character creation is limited, but at least it's there, and there is SOME hint of player choice... then it spirals downwards into the abyss of the mobile industry. Once you run out of energy (which happens quickly, you cannot even complete a single mission in one go), you have to wait AGES for it to refill, and the game literally doesn't let you do anything other than wait in the meantime. Exploring the castle, or talking with people? Ha, you wish. This game makes you stare at a three-hour countdown going down (unless you want to pay, of course). The part of the actual gameplay is mostly tapping on buttons, observing okay-ish cutscenes and dialogues, and solving minigames that are fun, but get repetitive quickly. You can buy cosmetic items for your character, but the prices are so absurd that you basically have to pay money unless you want to farm for days for a bunch of colored pixels.
    It's a shame, because this game had potential, but in the end it has nothing of what people expected, and everything of what makes "mobile" rightfully a curse word these days.    … Expand
  26. Bocio
    May 7, 2018
    2
    - Lack of creativity and of possibilities rule this game;
    - All side characters are pretty annoying;
    - In game coins merely don't serve for any purpose; - The energy bar takes forever to be refilled, which means you stop every time, killing the flow of the game's lore; - Spells and potions exist but they don't really do much. They're not fun. I'd give it a 3, but since there was a    - Lack of creativity and of possibilities rule this game;
    - All side characters are pretty annoying;
    - In game coins merely don't serve for any purpose;
    - The energy bar takes forever to be refilled, which means you stop every time, killing the flow of the game's lore;
    - Spells and potions exist but they don't really do much. They're not fun.

    I'd give it a 3, but since there was a bug or i was hacked and almost all my gems were gone purchasing energy i never bought, I give it a 2. I tried to contact their in-app help chat, but nobody ever answered me back.    … Expand
  27. Gyro_the_Gamer
    May 16, 2018
    2
    Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mysteries was one of those few mobile games many people were looking forwards to. Being based on best selling book series, with quite rocky history of video game adaptations, there was a lot of pressure laying on this game’s shoulders. In the most part, it delivers. It is a unique story driven adventure, with your own custom character attending school of witchcraftHarry Potter: Hogwarts Mysteries was one of those few mobile games many people were looking forwards to. Being based on best selling book series, with quite rocky history of video game adaptations, there was a lot of pressure laying on this game’s shoulders. In the most part, it delivers. It is a unique story driven adventure, with your own custom character attending school of witchcraft and wizardry. There is only one big problem. It’s a mobile game.

    Story

    This game takes places few months after the events in Godric’s Hollow which lead to Harry Potter’s orphancy. It’s a new original story with some new and some familiar faces. You are your own custom character, about to attend your first year at Hogwarts. Things don’t go as smoothly as you would like them to though. You have a rocky reputation thanks to your brother Jacob, who was expelled from Hogwarts for trying to open “Cursed Vaults” (whatever it may be) and which has been missing since. Your family past causes quite big hostility from other students towards you (something wizarding world has clearly a problem with), which leads to lots different interesting situations.

    Gameplay

    Overall the gameplay of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mysteries is little bit similar to that of TellTale games, be it is less dynamic and more streamlined. You have some choices which can affect outcomes of different situations, as well as some point & click style mechanics.

    Typical play session is made up of events. These events vary from lessons, where you learn new spells and potions to action events. Each event is made up of different tasks, completed by tapping certain objects on the screen. It’s neither skill or time based, it’s more similar to idle clicker. From time to time you do have to trace a magical symbol with your finger, or tap a button in time but that's very rare and requires minimal amount of concentration and no real skill. Each tap requires one energy point, which regenerates over time. In this regard it's quite similar to recently released The Sims mobile game.

    Yet when this style of gameplay suits open ended, non-linear and more passive games like The Sims, it just does not fit a story driven experience. Story and characters are interesting, but these idle moments break the immersion, especially that (as you might have guessed) the energy points can be purchased with real money.

    Monetization

    This is what really breaks this game. These days you expect free to play mobile game to have microtransactions as well as a lot of waiting. Yet this game is one of the worst cases we seen by far. When most games try to invest you into the gameplay loop at the start before hitting you with the paywall, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mysteries doesn’t even try. In the very first action scene of the game, where you struggle for your life with an evil plant, you will run out of energy points, there’s no other way. Energy points regenerate a point every 4 minutes, and you can only store maximum of 25 points at one time. It gets only worse from there as all the events are timed. If you don’t complete an event in the set time you will have to redo it. This happens quite often as each event, even the shortest ones, requires way more than 25 points. If you don’t keep the app open and perform actions as soon as the point regenerates, you will run out of time.

    This is unforgivable for a story driven game. Imagine having a timer in TellTale’s Walking Dead that forces you to wait before killing a zombie. This is ridiculous and make this game unbearable.

    Sadly monetisation is not limited to action points, as you also have galleons and diamonds which can be used to buy new clothing and customisation. Prices of customisation items are ridiculous. Especially the glasses. It seems they knew what Harry Potter fans like and wanted to milk it as much as possible.

    Conclusion

    Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mysteries is a missed opportunity. This could have been the next big mobile game, yet all it is, is yet another microtransaction driven, waiting game. It’s charm, awesome style and interesting world of Harry Potter is buried and ruined by its creator’s greed. If your not a big fan of Harry Potter there is no point wasting your phone memory on this travesty. If you are though you will find some joy here though you will need lots of patience, or a big wallet.     … Expand
  28. MakethTua1621
    May 30, 2018
    2
    I gotta say I was really happy for a game like this... But I was disappointed with the syste. To continue playing you have to wait for energy or buy it, or buy gems to buy energy, or use real money to buy gems to buy energy, and I was like "Why I am playing this?". Stay away for this game, it uses a tricky monetization system and it will go downhill from here, what a damn shame.
  29. Mike061
    Aug 11, 2018
    2
    The App store reviews are fake. This is a real review.
    The last rigged duelling event brang me here as they purposely made it Pay to Win where you have to fork out £10-15 worth of gems to win. It is almost impossible to get the only decent reward unless very lucky to win the even without using gems. The gems alone you get in game are also not enough. The tickets you earn without gemming    The App store reviews are fake. This is a real review.
    The last rigged duelling event brang me here as they purposely made it Pay to Win where you have to fork out £10-15 worth of gems to win. It is almost impossible to get the only decent reward unless very lucky to win the even without using gems. The gems alone you get in game are also not enough. The tickets you earn without gemming are not enough I calculated that without sleep or needing go anywhere can get at maximum 16 tickets, less than 12 of that if you want sleep and around 8 if you work full time. This is no where near enough as the duels are rigged to make you lose most the time.
    I imagine many parents getting annoyed with their children demanding them to pay for gems. They should give out free gems for those who did not get the final reward but I know they won't.

    I am not giving this a 1 as the game at lease has some redeeming qualities such as the story and visuals but this forced Pay to Win nature of the game brings it far down.    … Expand
  30. Fyrapan
    Jan 30, 2023
    2
    This is a very underwhelming game that is using the usual mobile game practices, and micro-transactions that are a must in order to progress through the game and the story. Sad because the game otherwise looks pretty solid for a mobile game and it had potential.
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Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best iOS Game of 2018
2
#2 Most Discussed iOS Game of 2018
12
#12 Most Shared iOS Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
43

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 8 out of 14
  1. GRYOnline.pl
    May 17, 2018
    25
    Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery has no magic. It has no fun. It almost has no game. It is a blatant money grab that soils this likable universe. If you want more Harry simply go back to one of the books or movies. There is nothing for you here.
    Read full review
  2. Trusted Reviews
    May 15, 2018
    20
    More slot machine than it is video game. If you have oodles of cash you want to throw away then give it a look; otherwise, steer well clear.
    Read full review
  3. Game Rant
    May 14, 2018
    30
    A complete and utter disappointment, and not a good start for the Portkey Games label. The game fails to take player choice into account in any meaningful way, the gameplay is shallow, and its free-to-play model is designed to frustrate and bore players into buying microtransactions.
    Read full review
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