We are now at the mid-way point of the much-anticipated and debated Hogwarts Legacy releases. With the first game drop happening in Feb 2023 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC and then, (what now seems) swiftly followed by the PS4 and Xbox One launched in May, we still have 5 months until the game finally gets its Nintendo Switch release in November 2023. Is it worth the wait or has the hype surrounding the game apparated?
At its core, Hogwarts Legacy is a single-player, open-world action role-playing game (RPG). The game’s premise centres around an original story that immerses players into the magical realm of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We have had a fairly steady stream of accompanying games to each film in the franchise and a few by major players like Lego joining the fun. The notable difference with Hogwarts Legacy is that it’s set in the late 1800s – pre Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts which are set from 1926 onwards. This allows for the introduction of new locations, characters, and storylines, providing players with a sense of discovery and novelty within the familiar world.
The game has now reportedly surpassed $1.3 billion in total revenue, according to the CEO of its publisher, Warner Bros. Discovery, David Zaslav which will only increase with the Nintendo Switch launch yet to come. It sold 12 million units in its first 2 weeks so fans were certainly keen to get on board.
The game begins with you joining Hogwarts as a new 5th year student, which by no coincidence means you can learn advanced spells. You will be given a plethora of customizable options for your character including gender, appearance, voice and, most importantly for any HP fan, House! A sorting ceremony with added multiple choice questions for your input will get you put into a house – although let it be noted you can basically just choose a house so no one is upset by unwittingly being put in Slytherin when they are a firm Gryfindor at heart. You’ll embark on a thrilling adventure, navigating the halls of the famous castle, exploring its vast grounds, and unravelling the secrets that lie within.
A reason why this game has been so popular is that Hogwarts legacy has an absolutely vast open-world environment to explore. From the bustling streets of Hogsmeade to the dark Forbidden Forest, every corner of the Wizarding World is meticulously crafted, inviting players to discover hidden treasures, take on side quests, and uncover the rich lore of the Harry Potter universe. Fans of the Wizarding World will feel comfortable in the game as it incorporates familiar characters, such as professors and students who play integral roles in the game’s narrative. These characters have distinct personalities and histories that resonate with fans of the series, one of the first professors you meet is a Weasley, adding depth and authenticity to the experience. New characters are introduced such as Sebastian Sallow, a Slytherin student with an affinity for the Dark Arts and Ranrok, a goblin antagonists leading a rebellion with help from a group of Dark Wizards.
The game captures the magical activities and themes that fans have come to love. Players can attend classes and learn spells, brew potions, engage in thrilling duels, fly on a broomstick and interact with magical creatures. The attention to detail in these activities, combined with the seamless integration of magical elements, contributes to the sense of immersion and authenticity. For example collecting ingredients around the game map and then brewing them at the Potion Station in the Room of Requirement or collecting and caring for magical creatures.
Hogwarts Legacy has visually stunning graphics, to the point where we forgot we were playing a computer game. There is a cutscene in Gringotts bank where you are riding the trolley track through the deep, caverns lined with vaults and it felt like we were watching a new film. Now of course this is different to the live game-play but in all honesty it isn’t far off!
Hogwarts Legacy has a massive amount of gameplay. The main Questline will take around 30-36 hours to complete but there are also over 40 main quests, 50+ side quests and plenty of assignments to keep you going. With collectables to find, gear to upgrade, achievements to earn, puzzles to solve and of course spells to learn there is plenty of content to keep players happy. So this Potter game certainly has some legs when it comes to value for money. That’s not even taking into account that the game can be re-played using different characters from different houses. The games created to give unique experiences depending on your house choice and also other choices made throughout which affect the narrative. Such as the not-so-secret of how to visit Azkaban in the game, (join Hufflepuff wink, wink).
Fans will enjoy learning spells to help them along their journey and to defeat some fairly tough looking baddies. These boss fights are surprisingly exciting and once you have learnt a few hefty spells. From an armoured Mountain Troll to fighting the goblin Ranrok who takes on a monstrous form. You learn spells as you go from the classic Expelliarmus to Bombarda then, if you dare, Avada Kedavra and lots more besides.
The fact that you play as a child does not detract from the enjoyment of the game and will no doubt delight some younger players. Hogwarts Legacy is rated in the UK as PEGI 12+ and The ESRB equivalent in North America is T for Teen, which recommends 13 years of age and over.
Overall, the gameplay of Hogwarts Legacy promises an immersive and captivating experience for any game player – fan or not. Who doesn’t want to attend magical classes and learn Herbology, Divination or Transfiguraton? Or to explore the secrets of Hogwarts by unlocking several mysterious doors (Alohomora!), or engage in thrilling adventures? The game offers a delightful blend of exploration, action, and choice-driven storytelling, transporting players into a wizarding world of wonder. In our opinion the buzz around this game is certainly deserved and with the massive amount of content within the game, players will be generously rewarded for their time and money.
