Unless you’ve had your head stuck in a box of the plastic bricks for the last five years, you will be well aware of the presence of the series of videogames which has been reducing the heroes of our favourite movies down to tiny plastic figures who possess a considerably higher level of charm and wit than the actors who portray them in the films. I am referring, of course, to the Lego videogame series developed by Traveller’s Tales, which so far has released two (soon to be three) Star Wars titles, two Indiana Jones entries, as well as a Batman game. While the critical responses to some of the more recent of these games have begun to wane in their original enthusiasm, which seemed to peak at the first Indy game, all of the games inhabit an irresistible likeability, particularly when it comes to accessibility for all types of gamers and friendly multiplayer, which has you and a buddy cooperating happily, working in unison to solve charming puzzles instead of trying to blast each other’s heads off with a sniper rifle, which has been the general objective for the most recent cooperative games.

Now Traveller’s Tales next Lego game is on the horizon and it looks to be the best yet. While the main flaw with the series’ latest games has been their persistent inability to improve on the weaker elements of their predecessors, never seeming to even try and fix problems which were present in the first Lego Star Wars which was released five years ago, a lot of effort seems to have gone into this next game. And what could bode better than it being based on one of the most successful franchises in history; Harry Potter?

Focussing on years 1-4 of Harry’s time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (which makes sense seeing as once Warner Brothers are finished with the series, there will be a total of eight films, allowing TT to make two games, each containing the content of four films), Lego Harry Potter boasts the biggest location ever included in the Lego series, Hogwarts, which apparently will constantly expand as your progress though the game. The latest two non-Lego videogames based on the Harry Potter movies have adopted a sandbox gaming format, where the character is free to roam around the massive virtual campus of the enchanted school. Presuming this game is going to follow the trend set by all the other Lego games, however, it can be assumed that this will have levelled structure. That’s probably for the best, really, as the two games in question were painfully tedious as you walked wearily from one end of the school to another doing boring tasks.

So lets look at the co-op mode in the game. As mentioned earlier, the freindly multiplayer all TT's Lego games possess is a true treat for families, friends, and partners. Earlier games in the series had both you and your assistant limited to sharing one big screen with no option of going off in opposite directions. Although this was downer which threatened to add tinge of frustration to the fun, it still wasn't enough to destroy the co-op experience. This is one example of something TT have actually improved, however, for in Lego Indy 2, split screen was present. This is also going to feature in Lego HP. However, the game's multiplayer is not going to consist entirely of split screen. Instead, there's going to be a blend of the two. So, when you and your assisstant stand side by side, the two screens will merge to become one. It is only when you break off to explore Hogwarts independantly that they will split, allowing you the freedom the older Lego games denied. Another unique twist to the split screen feature is going to be the actual position of the divide. Rather then being a static line peircing the centre of your screen, the split is actually going to move with your characters, making the experience overall a more dynamic and interesting one. This moving divide will also help give you an idea of what direction your partner is in, so you can easily find them to merge the screens, as it will place itself in the angle there is between the two of you.

In Lego Harry Potter, not only are you going to be playing through four entire HP stories, however, you are also going to be playing as a staggering 140 members of the delightful HP cast. So if you end up drawing the short straw against your multi-player counterpart and don’t get to be Harry, you will still be spoilt for choice with numerous other favourites at your disposal; why not be Hagrid, or good old Dumbledore (RIP)? You can even be Dobby if you’re that way inclined. And with each character bearing unique skills and abilities suiting to their characters in both the books and films, you will have a great and interesting time regardless of who you find yourself playing as.

I’d expect you’ve probably already assumed the presence of spells in this game, similar to the presence of the force in the Lego Star Wars ones, which you frequently used in order to progress through the levels of the game. Of course your assumptions are correct, too. What gamers who are familiar with the Lego format might not predict is the fact that your spells won’t just be there at your fingertips like Indy’s whip or Obi-Wan’s force push was, however. Hogwarts is an educational facility where you will learn and constantly improve your repertoire of magic abilities one-by-one yourself by levelling up and doing your homework! Although this might sound like a bit of a chore, your hard work is guaranteed to pay off, with the potential ability to completely stun your enemies (or classmates if you’re a Slytherin). As well as spell casting, potion making will also be a feature in the game. If made correctly, these potions will be extremely helpful as you progress through the levels. If less care is put into the brewing process, the results may not be so beneficial, causing your character to croak... as it turns into a frog. With all this spell casting and potion making, surely the wizard sport of Quidditch will be present? Well it is present, but at no point will you actually leave the ground. Instead, you will play as Harry's friends on the surface as they make sure all goes will for the air bourne Harry from the earth. This is indeed a shame, but TT promise that the lack of flight and actual Quidditch gameplay has given them more time to make the game's other features more polished, so it was for the best that our feet stay on the ground. Oh well...

Placing emphasis on collecting and exploring with the occasional occurrence of magical combat, Lego Harry Potter promises to offer you great fun as you discover the secrets of not only a massive Hogwarts, but also Diagon Alley, Hogsmead and many more places too, each location full of surprises and quirky sights, rendered in sharp, colourful and engrossing detail where you'll be happy to while away the hours enjoying the humerous fun. In addition, the game is going to be complete with the score of John Williams, who composed for the first three movies (and is going to return for the two upcoming ones), which ought to make this an even more immersive representation of Harry's world.

So, if Lego Harry Potter truly delivers on its promises and emerges as the best over all the other fantastic Lego games, it will be a tremendous treat for you and, if you want the full fun experience, a friend. Coming from a series known for retelling familiar stories with a colourful, comic twist, I doubt fans will find themselves disappointed with this nonchalant rendition of their favourite franchise when the game is released on the 31st May this year for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, WII, PSP and Windows. Just keep an eye open for an owl carrying your letter of invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (the owl being a member of staff at your nearest game shop carrying a copy of the game which they will then charge you about forty pounds for...)!