This was my first Lego game and I've played it multiple times, while really enjoying with friends and family. It comes with nine microfigs, Gryffindor figure, Hufflepuff figure, Ravenclaw figure, Slytherin figure, and Dumbledore. It also comes with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco Malfoy, all who are there for you to create your own game with them. The point of the game though, is to be the first to collect all the items (Potion, Animal, Homework item, and a Divination Orb) and get back to your common room. Pretty simple, but it's kinda hard when other players are trying to keep you from winning using pretty much anything they can use. The game has really dominated night after night in my house, and I have to thank lego for it.   

This was one of my Christmas presents, and my fourth LEGO board game. It's one of my favorites. Everyone will like it, from die hard Harry Potter fans (like me) to people who could care less about Harry Potter (my sister). I've played it about...uh, I can't remember, I've played it so much!

Box/Instructions

The box is quite nice- it shows an angry Malfoy and a happy Harry, who is casting a spell, and this spell is holding the die in midair. Either Harry Wingardium Leviosa'd it when Malfoy was rolling it, or Malfoy is mad that he didn't think of it. Oh well- the "outer box" (the part that doesn't show the picture) shows about half of the figures you get and the game times as usual. LEGO did a good job on the box art. Well done, LEGO!

Parts

There are a LOT of nifty and neat pieces in here- for instance it includes some flags, transparent LEGO heads, toads and spiders, and many more. To me the microfigures and the die stand out the most- you can only get dice in LEGO Game sets and Microfigures are just plain awesome- they remind me of those old LEGOLAND set minifigures. If you are trying to make an addition to Hogwarts Castle but don't have the pieces, then this set might be your answer- it has many pieces to build another Tower for Hogwarts.

Microfigures

The microfigures are awesome. These microfigures show every day students and some of the main characters of HP- the trio, Malfoy, and Dumbledore. My final word is that they are fantastic.

The build

The build is somewhat...well, boring. There's a lot to build, but most of it is building the something like four times. Not a big deal, but it is kind of boring.

Summary

Overall this set is great, fun, and I hope you hope you get it! :-)

We played this over and over again. The parts are especially good for anyone who collects the Harry Potter theme sets. Not only are there the colouered minifigures but there are the bonus minifigures of Harry, Dumbledore and co.

The game is both engaging and creative.

The building is much more challenging (other than that of Ramses Pyramid) than other LEGO games, which you won't want to take apart once you've made it!

The whole rotating and shifting staircases movements works really well and makes for a competitive game.

Click on the link below for a great overview of the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7IhzjEpWiE

Just got the game today (1 month early at S@H), unpacked it, built it, played it.

While I cannot review the game's appeal in the long run (i.e. is it still fun to play even after weeks and weeks?) and the 'extended' rules (using the 'named' Harry Potter (TM) characters), I can say that (pros ;-)

• it was fun to build
• it contained very nice parts (color combination and also one piece I had not seen before)
  
• that the basic rules are very easy to understand and apply (even for small kids)
• that it fits in the Harry Potter(TM) series, it transports the Potter-feeling very well
  
• that the 'named' micro-figures are gorgeous, the others (for the four houses) are also very nice
  
• that it contains a Hogwarts-emblem, which is also very nice
• the game is very, very good (moving stairs, constantly changing playing board)
  

• The basic rules do not use the 'named' characters (pity).
• Even the extended rules only include Dumbledore.
• You have to make up your own rules to include the 'named' characters (HP, HG, DM, RW)
• The price point is quite high (licensed, any questions?)

The Harry Potter Hogwarts Board Game is an amazing set! I first came across this set on my birthday and immediately started to build. I have played this set several times with my family. For what it is worth it is a pretty good set which includes 9 mini figures and many animal objects. Does break quite easily when playing. I do not recommend young children play this game due to the fact of very small parts. It is very enjoyable but does take up a long time. The set is quite simple to build if you are a Lego Builder, and is quite self explanatory. 7/10