Harry Potter is a phenomenon bigger than anything we’re likely to see again in our lifetimes. It’s a tale that has stretched out over a decade, a thing which has entertained and enraptured people of all ages, races and genders. But why? What is it about a simple children’s book that created such a worldwide phenomenon? Well, now that it’s over, both book and film wise, maybe I can try to answer that.

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After ten years, it ends. If that sentence doesn’t choke you up at least a little bit or get the eyes slightly damp, this movie isn’t for you.

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Thanks to Twitter (@JoeyZambrano, specifically), Lindsey and I managed to get our hands on six passes (two of which were used for Lindsey and myself, of course, while the other four were given to our friends Chris, Kelly, Lianne, and Lee) for an advanced screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 last night. Now, if you’ve been a long-time reader, you may remember the excitement and site activity in the build-up to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and the advance screening we attended last year, and you may wonder where that excitement and site activity was for the build-up to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. To make a long story short, I was so disappointed with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince that I couldn’t bring myself to hope that Deathly Hallows would be any different. Read the full story

Today Konami released an epic 11 minute trailer for the upcoming Castlevania Lords of Shadow game. I’m already excited like crazy for the game, so this only further solidifies the millions of reasons why Lords of Shadow needs to be in my hands right this second.

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They’re everywhere. Resident Evil 5, Saw 7, and Shock Value 2. When is enough, enough? When will the entertainment industry stop recycling the same things over and over again? As customers, we deserve better.

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As a fan of real vampire movies, I can’t even begin to describe how disgusted I am by the Twilight books and films. If you are a fan of either, I’m sorry. Not only do you have poor taste, but I think you need to get some serious psychiatric help. There’s been an on-going debate between fans of Harry Potter and Twilight. Today, I’m here to settle it. There are so many ways in which Harry Potter is superior to Twilight, but rather than beating the issue like a dead horse, I will focus on the important things, like how vampires don’t sparkle. Read the full story

Last Friday, Chris and I rented the recent title to hit the LEGO video game franchise, LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4. I guess you could say I’m a fan of the LEGO game series. I played through LEGO Star Wars and LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy for regular Xbox, and then we got LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga for the 360. Months ago we rented LEGO Batman, but weren’t impressed.

Prior to renting the game, I downloaded the 360 demo and was blown away. Many of the complaints I had about the LEGO series were taken care of, and when we played split-screen, it was perfect. Knowing that, renting the game was a no-brainer. Chris and I played through a bit of the first year together, but the rest of the time I played through by myself, since almost all of the achievements can only be received in single player.

Like the rest of the LEGO games, they throw in the humor, and there were times where I couldn’t help but burst out laughing because some of the stuff was so funny. I will say that there were a rather large amount of semi-naked wizards in this game, so what’s up with that? In the dorm at Hogwarts, you blast the pants off of one, in a shop off of Diagon Alley you open a dressing room to see another pantsless wizard, and I believe I saw a couple more instances. Also, when you get to year 4, and it’s the part where Harry has to swim and save his friends, the way they did the bathing suits was rather odd. Due to the LEGO shape, the bathing suit bottoms look like a cross between a thong and a mawashi, the undergarment sumo wrestlers wear. Awkward nudity, and creepy wizards aside, everything else was great.

In terms of gameplay, LEGO Harry Potter is significantly better than any other game in the series. This time around I was able to aim with my wand, select multiple targets to hit, and there was even an RPG feel with how you obtain new spells. One problem I ran into was this: in LEGO Star Wars, the other characters in your party would still attack. In Harry Potter, you could be in a boss battle, and Hermoine would be just standing there, being completely useless. It was rather frustrating because having some form of assistance would’ve been nice, and could’ve created a much needed diversion.

Content wise, this game is so much longer than any other LEGO game I’ve played. I was surprised with how long each year was, with the exception of year four, and in between the actual ‘levels’ there was a lot to do. Sure sometimes it felt like you were running back and forth a lot, but you have to keep in mind that almost everything occurs in Hogwarts, or around it. There are over 160 unlockable characters, and 250 gold bricks to obtain. By completing each level, and by getting True Wizard in a level, you get a gold brick for each. In addition to the numerous red bricks you have to track down, a new feature is saving students who are in perilous situations, earning gold bricks by doing so, and finding all the pieces to create 24 crests. When I completed the game, I think I had over 80 gold bricks, 5 red bricks in addition to what I started with, a good chunk of the students saved, and over 60 characters unlocked. I was never able to assemble one crest, and that’s because you have to go back once you’ve completed the entire game and replay the levels. Even though I had found all of those items, and performed all of those tasks, I don’t believe I passed 50% completion of the entire game. It’s seriously that long, and contains that much content.

On top of everything you can do at Hogwarts, there are also bonus levels to complete. The few that I played were really fun, and ways to earn a large amount of sprockets (my name for those coins you collect), and gold bricks. You can even go into this game mode known as LEGO Builder and create levels you can later on destroy. It’s seriously a lot of fun, and if you have children, it’s a great way to prolong their interest in the game. Instead of having a ‘Cantina’ or small space to purchase extras, your base is now the Leaky Cauldron. On the main floor you can select which level you want to replay, and upstairs you can watch cinematics again. Out the back you are on Diagon Alley, and have access to the different shops where you purchase your add-ons. By continuing down the road, that’s where you can play the bonus levels and do the LEGO Builder content.

Graphically it’s just about the same as the other LEGO games, but they seemed a little better. I suppose you could say it looked more polished. The controls were simple, although there was a problem I kept having. With your multiple spells, you can either cycle through them using the left/right bumper buttons, or you can use the Y button. Problem with that is that when you press Y, you switch playable characters, so there were times where I meant to switch a spell, but I accidentally tapped the Y button instead of holding it to bring up the radial menu. In terms of audio, the game is practically flawless. The sound effects are great, and the tracks themselves are brilliantly done. It’s the traditional Harry Potter soundtrack, so what more could you ask for?

All in all, LEGO Harry Potter was an incredibly delightful experience. It was a game I didn’t want to put down, a game where I can’t wait for the final years, and a game that I have to own because obtaining that 100% is a must!

It’s easily a 9 out of 10.

- Me

Now through Tuesday, June 21st, get massive discounts on many Xbox Live Arcade titles. Sadly, we own most of the ones listed so we can’t fully take advantage of this deal, but this is fantastic for those of you who are wanting to expand your XBLA library. Read the full story

Well, it’s Monday, and it’s 11:00 A.M.

I am pleased to announce that the First Place winner of Harry Potter is – deaf omega! You will be receiving 1 of the Harry Potter posters and the slap bracelet. Hope your little one enjoys!

The runner up, winning the other Harry Potter poster is – Ancientwolf13!

Don’t forget, you have 48 hours to email me your address so we can get these things shipped out.

Ccongrats to both of you!

- She Who Has The Last Word

OMG!

It’s 6 AM. It’s time for bed!

Thank you so much for sharing this Blogathon experience with us. Thank you to all of our Sponsors.

To all of you who couldn’t be a sponsor, we can still accept sponsors and donations up until this Friday around midnight so please keep spreading the word about everything we’ve done today and our charity.

Harry Potter and Zelda winners will be announced on Monday, so please be sure to check and see if you were selected.

Also, we should be having some additional giveaways throughout the week to keep the Blogathon momentum going.

Thank you all again, and for those of you who became new readers of this wonderful site… welcome, we hope to see more of you

GOOD NIGHT!

… and yes, I am shutting my PC down RIGHT NOW!

- She Who Has The Last Word