Just a few months ago Niantic Labs — creators of Pokemon Go — announced that they’ll be releasing a brand new AR game called Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. And now, it seems like the company is ready to show off some gameplay teasers of their new AR title game.
About Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
In Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, you’ll see a unique combination of content and characters you know and love from both the original Harry Potter series and the Fantastic Beasts films in a magical Wizarding World experience. “It’ll be up to you to ready your wand, prepare your potions, brush up your spells and help prevent The Calamity from exposing the secrets of the wizarding world,” as Niantic Labs describes it.
Storyline
A calamity has befallen the wizarding world, causing artefacts, creatures, people, and even memories to mysteriously appear in the Muggle world. Witches and wizards from across the globe must come together to solve the mystery of The Calamity, overcome the confounding chaotic magic that surrounds these “Foundables,” and return them to their rightful place, keeping them safe from Muggle eyes.
Your journey as a wizard begins as becoming a new recruit of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force, established by the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards for the “purpose of investigating and containing The Calamity.”
Gameplay
You’ll find that the gameplay and mechanics have some similarities to Pokemon Go. As you step outside and explore the world, the Map will reveal Traces of magic, highlighting the location of magical Foundables.
While these Traces can be found all around you, certain Foundables may be more likely to appear at various types of real-world locations including parks, banks, municipal buildings, college campuses, libraries, monuments, zoos, art galleries, and more. Players will be able to cast a variety of spells to overcome the Confoundable magic, keep the magical Foundables safe, and send them back to the wizarding world. By returning Foundables, you’ll earn unique rewards that can be tracked in the game Registry.
As you cast spells, you’ll consume Spell Energy. Be sure to regularly stop by Inns, found at Muggle locations around the world, to collect food and drinks that replenish your Spell Energy. While exploring, you’ll also come across ingredients that can be used to brew Potions, which will aid you in different aspects of your Wizarding World journey. These ingredients can be found on the Map, varying by the environment, weather, and time of day, as well as in specially designated Greenhouses.
Niantic states the importance of some key features throughout the game. “Make sure to also keep an eye out for Portmanteaus, which can be unlocked to reveal Portkeys that whisk you away to iconic wizarding world locations. For the first time you’ll be able to step into a full 360-degree Advanced AR immersive experience in places like Ollivander’s Wand Shop.”
Players will be able to visit one of the multiple Fortresses indicated on the Map which can be pulled up on your mobile device. Fortresses are host to Wizarding Challenges, similar to how arenas work in Pokemon Go. You’ll engage in real-time multiplayer battles against dangerous foes, including Death Eaters and soul-sucking Dementors. Similarly, you’ll be able to face your opponents together with your friends who also have the AR app. If you are successful in defeating these evil opponents you’ll be able to level up and recover rarer magical Foundables from within the Fortress walls.
Different classes
Players will be able to choose different specialized professions. This includes Aurors, Magizoologists, and Professors who have their own unique skills and abilities that will come in handy at different times, particularly during Wizarding Challenges. Your goal will be to team up and strategize with witches and wizards from other Professions to tip the scales in your favor.
Release date
Hary Potter: Wizards Unite will be launching sometime in the near future. For those who want to be in the know, Niantic has released a sign-up portal here where you can register and keep up with the launch of the game.
