When I found out “Wizards Unite” was coming, I knew I had to download it and give it a go.
My first impression of the app is it pulls hard on the connection to the Harry Potter franchise — from the opening scenes being an owl flying through the sky to the Harry Potter soundtrack playing when the app launches.
The game is fun to play, simply open it and much like “Pokemon Go,” walk around until you run into a confoundable. These are things common in the Harry Potter world, just like Ministry of Magic employees, Quidditch gear and a multitude of other objects from around the magical universe.
The game begins with a profile creator where you can pick your Hogwarts house, your occupation and even design your own wand.
Kali Nelson | Argonaut
The game uses augmented reality to place the confoundable into your world, so when you’re walking around trying to find them, you follow a little wizard in a stripped-down map of whatever city you’re currently located in.
There is a story as well, told through pop-ups from characters like Hermione, Harry and other ministry officials.
But there are other things you can do, like brew potions, find ingredients and visit houses to find food you can use for energy. You can even add your friends through codes set up when you make your account. The app keeps personal information separate and does ask for your name, which they say is kept secret since it is just “for the ministry’s records.”
When you find your confoundable, the character stops so you can trace the shape of the different spells you need to fight them or to find them in general. I love the concept and the game is a great way to get outside and be active, but it is not for me. I forget to open the app, and have to remember to open it just to play.
The game is good to get you out of the house if you’ve spent all day cooped up and want to have some fun, so maybe I just need some friends to walk around playing the game with while playing.
The app does drain my battery though, and if I’m trying to get somewhere in a reasonable amount of time, “Wizards Unite” is not going to help.
You can get it for free through any app store that comes with your phone. Go ahead and give it a try, it’s a fun way to get outside. Just don’t if you’re strapped for time — give yourself a few hours to go exploring.
Should you download the game, there’s a few things to keep in mind. Stay out of the street, take water, wear your sunscreen and definitely wear comfortable shoes. This game is addictive, and you won’t want to stop.
Kali Nelson can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @kalinelson6