Metascore
38 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 27 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 27
  2. Negative: 21 out of 27
  1. Dec 19, 2010
    65
    The biggest problem with the game is the camera which unfortunately becomes frustrating at certain stages in the game which generally involve combat. Oh well, if you enjoyed the previous Harry Potter games, you might enjoy these but maybe a rent first.
  2. Nov 25, 2010
    63
    The newest installment of the series steps away from the open world approach of the last games and narrows itself to dull, repetitive rail shooter missions. The graphics are not even noteworthy while music and sound are superb as ever. Overall, the game feels extremely simplified due to the restrictions of Microsofts Kinect technology.
  3. Dec 10, 2010
    60
    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is not convincing as an action adventure, but as a pure-bred action game it's entertaining.
  4. Nov 16, 2010
    55
    Like a Quidditch player falling from a broomstick mid-match, this installment loses all forward momentum and goes plummeting toward a faceplant at top speed.
  5. Nov 19, 2010
    50
    The game is full of good ideas tethered to a slop of bugs, but more significantly it's never much of anything. It's never varied enough to have interesting combat; it's never open enough to let you explore; it's linear but never driven enough by its narrative to be an enthralling, story-driven title.
  6. Nov 18, 2010
    50
    While the third-person shooter aspect of Harry's latest adventure can be fun, the game's story elements fail to live up to those of its literary namesake.
  7. Nov 24, 2010
    45
    It was a good opportunity to reinvigorate and polish the series and adapt to the final adventures of this characters. But the changes have been executed poorly, and that results in gameplay defects.
  8. Nov 19, 2010
    45
    A disappointing tie in. Lame gameplay, artificial unintelligence and a lot of issues with the controls will spoil the fun event for the most hardcore fans.
  9. Jan 13, 2011
    41
    Dark, confusing. [Jan 2011, p.96]
  10. A couple hours in, and you're starting to feel pretty stupid yourself! [Jan 2011, p.118]
  11. Thumb-numbing repetitiveness. [Feb 2011, p.86]
  12. Dec 21, 2010
    40
    Unfortunately there are too many mundane missions and not enough variety throughout the game to make this an exciting shooter and the distinct lack of collectibles (something that the previous games prided themselves on) is also disappointing and makes exploring the bland levels pointless.
  13. Dec 19, 2010
    40
    Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows - Part 1 does not succeed in enchanting us with great quality. The terrible gameplay completely ruins this game and will keep you from spending a lot of hours on the latest adventure of the young wizard. Harry Potter fans should stay away from this one.
  14. Nov 21, 2010
    40
    Potter fans will be disappointed by this lazy attempt that is substandard fare and lacks options. EA Bright Light will have to revolutionise its approach if the franchise is to end on a high.
  15. Nov 21, 2010
    40
    Avada Kedavra… EA casts the spell and takes the series in the third person shooter genre. The result is the worst Harry Potter game of all times, a game you'd better close in the tallest tower of Hogwarts.
  16. Dec 10, 2010
    37
    This Harry Potter game is one of the worst games in 2010 for the PlayStation 3. The graphics aren't very best, the gameplay is annoying and the camera doesn't work. Go watch the Movie and don't ever buy this game, it isn't worth your money.
  17. Nov 17, 2010
    35
    Maybe EA Games could rename Part 2 "Harry Potter and the Multiple Revenue Streams". Because if we are going to be honest, that's all this title really is.
  18. 30
    With poor visuals, flawed gameplay and a narrative that fails to adhere closely to the source material, Deathly Hallows Part 1 is a colossal disappointment for gamers and Harry Potter aficionados' alike.
  19. Nov 18, 2010
    30
    Quotation forthcoming.
  20. 30
    Harry Potter turns into a wannabe third person shooter, and the result is abysmal. Movie-based games get a bad rap, and its because of titles like this one. We can't think of anything nice to say about it, not even when playing it with Kinect. It's a bad game from end to end, and has no redeeming qualities. Avoid at all cost, even if (or maybe especially if) you're a Harry Potter-head.
  21. Nov 16, 2010
    25
    So much in this game speaks to either a lack of time or pure laziness on the part of the developers.
  22. Dec 29, 2010
    21
    We can think of no good reason to buy this. [Issue#200, p.94]
  23. Jan 5, 2011
    20
    Seriously, EA?! Why do you insist in crapping all over the franchise during its final hours? The game takes about 5 to 7 hours to complete, but frustration kicks in after the first 20 minutes of play.
  24. Nov 26, 2010
    20
    The best book in the Harry Potter series has become the worst game. This is just a horrible buggy mess with no entertainment at all. Just move along to the next game.
  25. Nov 23, 2010
    20
    If you're an moldu who's super-fan, be sure that I understand you, but don't be fooled. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is clearly underwhelming, and doesn't compare in any way to any other TPS in terms of quality. Imprecise, slow, poorly designed, we can't even recommend this Harry Potter game to the most tolerant fans.
  26. Nov 16, 2010
    20
    There's potential for a good Harry Potter game underneath this pile of broken gameplay.
User Score

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 3 out of 3
  1. This game is a very big insult to every Harry Potter's loyal fan. The gameplay is so lame. Some missions are just frustrating (putting a cloak on and checking if one is a Death Eater). The graphic is just better than previous games but is outdated in compared to current game market. The game is not recommended, even for hardcore Potter's fans. The better the movie is, the worse this scrap is. Full Review »
  2. 2
    This game is an offence to all HP fans! It's just awfull, is like Call of Duty but with wands, and unfortunately this one isn't fun at all. The story follows well the movie but there isn't anymore more those information of the book that made the games even better. The spells are "riddikulus" in this game and you will probably only use Stupefy and one other, the rest is useless. Ans those mini-quests that some parts of the game are boring. At the end this is a bad game. Full Review »
  3. There is some good fun to be had in Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows part 1, but you have to fight through a lot of crap to find it. The game is at it's best during the main story's combat sequences. It's a lot of fun to blast death eaters with machine gun spells or confringo rocket launchers, no matter how stupid the notion of doing so is. There is usually some variety on the battlefield in the form of different routes to take or types of cover to hide behind... And you get to fight your way out of the Ministry of Magic, which is awesome! The game is hampered a bit by it's controls and weird turning mechanics, but the real problem is when you go into first person and enter the 'exploring' mode... That would be the type of 'exploring' where every door is locked except the one that you need to go in. It's not fun in any way shape or form. It's just blatant, undisguised filler, as are the numerous side missions which usually equate to; "Go here and murder this many dudes". But you can select said missions in ANY ORDER YOU CHOOSE. Oh my god! Can you even conceive of such a notion! My sarcasm aside, it might be worth renting if you're a huge Potter fan that wants to kick serious death eater ass, SCHWARTZENEGGER STYLE! Full Review »