Harry Potter: Magic Awakened

Wands at the ready, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened is here to prove that the Wizarding World still has a few tricks up its oversized sleeves. While past mobile attempts fizzled faster than a miscast charm, this hybrid RPG/CCG/MMO (it’s a mouthful, I know) actually pulls it off, stuffing just about every nostalgic fantasy you’ve ever had into one charmingly animated, slightly buggy magical package.

The setup? You’re the new kid at Hogwarts, wide-eyed and fresh off the broom from Diagon Alley, where you’ll get sorted, take classes, and maybe even sneak into the Forbidden Forest if your Charms homework doesn’t kill you first. But beneath the fairy tale visuals and wholesome vibes lies the game’s true strength: the duels. Fast-paced, small-deck, real-time card brawls where every “Stupefy” and summoned troll feels like a tactical mic drop. Oh, and you can move around mid-duel, dodging spells like you’re reenacting Goblet of Fire on a tight budget. It rules.

But not everything’s as smooth as a well-brewed Butterbeer. The frame rate’s shakier than a first-year on a broomstick, and yes, it crashed mid-duel more than once. And while the loot-box-heavy card economy hasn’t gone full Gringotts-greed yet, you can see the golden galleons twinkling ominously on the horizon.

Still, Magic Awakened feels like a proper return to form, not just for Harry Potter games, but mobile RPGs in general. It’s bursting with references, wrapped in warmth, and grounded by gameplay that feels strategic and satisfying. Just be prepared to dodge a few janky pixels along the way.