By Jake Harmon
Ever since Hogwarts Legacy was announced, there has been controversy surrounding it. From controversial statements from J.K. Rowling herself, to the fanbase worried about how the game will perform overall. Well, I am happy to announce that the developers of Hogwarts Legacy have delivered an astounding game! Throughout this article, I will be highlighting why Hogwarts Legacy is great. And, if you want a collector’s set of Harry Potter textbooks in celebration of this game, answer a few questions at the end of this article for a chance to win them.
Because this game is full of different attributes, I’ve decided to break it down into five main categories:
1. The Wizarding World
2. Gameplay
3. Combat in the Wizarding World
4. The Story within Hogwarts Legacy
5. Characters
Wizarding World
Taking on the wizarding world of Harry Potter is not easy. In fact, it is one of the hardest projects out there; it is very in-depth and well told. However, I am happy to report that, not only did the creators capture the feel of the world almost perfectly, they also went in depth and made it accurate to the lore.
Hogwarts Legacy is set in the 1800s, with players starting in their fifth year as a Hogwarts transfer student. This setting allows for a large open world for players to be a part of and explore. Unlike other open world games, this world is packed with content; there is plenty to do and find. Players can find themselves exploring the beautiful world for countless hours on broomsticks or magical mounts. In addition, there are non-player characters (NPCs) and animals all over to discover and meet.
For Harry Potter fans, the castle of Hogwarts is a staple in the lore of the series’ franchise. And, if you have ever watched the movies, you’ve felt the urge of wanting to walk through those castle halls. While there are slight graphical issues, the creators of Hogwarts Legacy nailed the castle; the paintings that move and the ghosts that pop out of nowhere are amazing. I would award the game’s settings a solid 10/10 … It truly captured the magic of the wizarding world.
Gameplay
It’s great if the wizarding world inside the game feels real. But what truly makes or breaks a game is how it feels. When playing Hogwarts Legacy, players can feel the love that was poured into this game. Everything feels good, from the movements of characters, to the way broomsticks fly. There is a deep level of polish and care that was put into every little detail.
The character’s animations also felt natural and right. Obtaining a wand and making it just what you’ve wanted is a dream come true for Harry Potter fans. Flying broomsticks and mounts are weird, but after about 15 minutes it feels perfect.
Plus, there is so much to do: duels, puzzles, or simply just exploring. Exploration is rewarding because you can collect rare materials and animals to keep safe (similar to the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them). The game even has a shiny system similar to the “Pokémon” games. (Hogwarts Legacy does fall prey to some of the open world tropes that have become too prevalent in open world, but it doesn’t take away from the game itself). Overall, Hogwarts Legacy provides solid gameplay that even a non-fan would enjoy. For that, I have to award the gameplay a solid 9/10. While there is always room to improve, this particular game executes general playability well.
Combat
Combat is the cherry on top for gameplay. To be honest, I was worried about the combat in this game. Looking at the movies and older games, you can tell the magic system isn’t an easy one to nail, especially in a long role-playing game (RPG) like this one. Despite my worries, the Hogwarts Legacy creators did not disappoint. The magic feels powerful, but still challenging as players are forced to constantly dance around the battlefield dodging and blocking magical blows from enemies.
There are difficulty settings in this game that, in theory, allows any individual to play the game. However, Hogwarts Legacy still isn’t an easy game. It has a fair bit of challenging fights, with a comparable feel to other Warner Bros games like “Arkham Knight” and “Shadows of War.” Players have the freedom to create the character builds they want with both talents and abilities. Personally, I would have liked a deeper dive into the builds you can make, but it is nice to be able to just enjoy the game without them as well.
The combination of creating your character’s talents and abilities is important, making you feel like a true wizard. With finishers, the Unforgivable Curses, and many other castings, Hogwarts Legacy creates plenty of opportunities to add to your spell book too. And, the combat is both smooth and challenging. Again, while I wish the game allowed for a deeper dive into builds, they did include a full transmog system from the get-go (something every game with gear should have at launch). I have to give this section a 9.5/10.
Story
An RPG isn’t complete without a good story. This section will be shorter because I want to stay spoiler free. The Hogwarts Legacy story is incredible even for non-fans, but those who are fans will especially enjoy the Easter eggs and references hidden everywhere. It starts out like a typical rpg: there is a main character that has a special power, but that is where the similarities end. The game builds a good narrative where players are given freedom to choose your life at Hogwarts. The story is great and makes you feel like a real part of the world without changing the lore, but it’s not one that really stands out. The story is good, but it’s the world that supports it that makes it that way. So, I give the story a 9/10.
Characters
Oftentimes, it can feel hollow in a large open world game. But, that isn’t the case with Hogwarts Legacy; there are students everywhere with plenty of magical interactions to appreciate.
The NPCs fill the world well. For example, you can walk throughout the game and witness Peeves jumping out and scaring other students. Or, you can hear a screaming mother scolding their child about bad grades. Many NPCs give out quests, providing the opportunity to make friends. In this game, there are lots of diverse and unique characters walking the halls.
Not only are NPC characters fun to interact with, but so are the professors. It’s not every day you can say that teachers are one of the best parts of a game. But in Hogwarts Legacy, they are. They feel lively and magical as every interaction is charming (making you not want to skip out on your classes). However, like every other story, there is a compelling villain that feels truly terrifying and powerful… But I won’t say much more than that. With such amazing characters, I can only give this section a 10/10.
Hogwarts Legacy is an amazing game; I’d put it as a must play for all lovers of magic and open worlds. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you need this game… It is a dream come true! It is a solid entry into the world of gaming and definitely in the running for Game of the Year. With all categories considered, I give Hogwarts Legacy a 9.5/10.
Now that you’ve read this article, don’t forget to take the quiz below!
First, click here to watch Will Dryden’s video of why you shouldn’t go to Hogwarts. Then, click here to take the quiz for a chance to win a hardcover box set of The Hogwarts Library. And, remember, Yer a wizard, Harry! Or, maybe after watching the video, you might not be as keen to be…
Review and *Prize Opportunity*: Hogwarts Legacy was originally published in The Herald on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.