Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, open-world, action role-playing, single player game set in the 1800s wizarding world. Live the Unwritten! Buy it now.
With an abundance of books, films, video games and tie-in memorabilia, the Wizarding World has been capturing the hearts and minds of audiences for over 20 years. From the story of ‘The Boy Who Lived’, following Harry Potter and his friends, to spin-offs and prequels such as the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series, there has been no shortage of adventure and wonder when it comes to the world of witchcraft and wizardry. But now with the release of Hogwarts Legacy, witches and wizards alike have the chance to forge their own journey in a new, untold story.
LIVING THE HOGWARTS LIFE
Short of donning a set of wizard’s robes and finding yourself a large castle to reside and study in, there hasn’t truly been a Wizarding World experience that has captured the experience of being a Hogwarts student that wasn’t just you playing as Harry Potter. With Hogwarts Legacy, players get the opportunity to enrol at the famous school as a fifth-year student, being granted admittance through extraordinary circumstances. Being a whole-new adventure crafted around the Hogwarts we know and love, there is a familiarity about the game as players finally get the chance to explore the eponymous castle and its surrounds in ways they have only previously imagined or borne witness in the films.
From the common rooms of the house that you choose, to the Potions lab or the Defense Against the Dark Arts classrooms, the only limit to your exploration is your curiosity. I’m sure that while watching the films or reading the books you would have imagined yourself being in the same place as Harry; wandering the halls of Hogwarts to your next class, getting lost or interrupted by the shifting staircases, or even having Peeves play a prank on you as you make your way back to the common room for your house. As in the films and the books, Hogwarts Legacy makes the castle feel alive; not just a setting, but a character itself in your journey.
EXPLORING THE WIZARDING WORLD
The important thing to remember is that this adventure takes place well before the events of Harry Potter, and even before Fantastic Beasts – so while this journey will feel familiar and exciting, there is also a sense of mystery surrounding it as well. Beyond the castle walls you’ll find familiar places such as the Gamekeeper’s Hut (which will belong to Hagrid one day) as well as the Quidditch pitch. Quidditch itself is not a playable component of the game, but broom flight is – giving you the ability to explore the world by the sky as well as on foot. If you’re not a natural, you can pick up flying lessons and compete in broom races to increase your skills.
With the Forbidden Forest and the Black Lake making appearances as well, you’ll get to experience the mysterious side of Hogwarts too; with some missions taking you deep into the unknown. These locations are teeming with magical and mythical beasts the likes of which we’ve only read about or seen brief glimpses of in the films – will they be friendly, or will you have to put up a fight while you continue your journey? We’ll even get to see the famous Hogsmeade Village, where Hogwarts students from third year and above get to spend their recreational time. With these locations offering extra depth to the world, you’ll get to experience everything that Harry and his friends would; and feel like a true Hogwarts student in the process.
DOING THE UNFORGIVEABLE
Of course, a major part of uncovering the dark secrets in your journey includes duelling with other witches and wizards, and becoming a skilled duellist will involve a lot of learning. The Unforgiveable Curses can be learned in Hogwarts Legacy, and it will come down to your individual morality as to whether you wish to use them. What lengths would you go to when trying to win a duel? Would you use Avada Kedavra on an unexpecting enemy? Or are you a stealth fighter, who chooses to enter battles undercover and stun your enemies without leaving a trace? A big part of the game revolves around your wizard bloodlines, and so just like Harry himself, your future is in your hands; how you choose to let things play out is definitely up to you.
Of course you’re not just limited to learning spells and curses either; Hogwarts Legacy allows you to put extra effort into taking your favourite classes and subjects, putting you in control of how you want your character to develop. Are you a fan of Herbology, like Neville Longbottom? Or are you more interested in taking the Transfiguration classes, taught by a professor with a very familiar name of Matilda Weasley? Maybe you’re a champion of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, or a future chemist who is excited about Potions classes. Knowledge is at your disposal when it comes to taking lessons at Hogwarts, so it is up to you as to how you want to shape your wizarding future.
BEING YOUR OWN HOGWARTS HERO
The experience that Hogwarts Legacy has created is shaping up to be something like we’ve never seen before. With the familiarity of the world and its history weaved into a new narrative that fans haven’t yet experienced, it not only manages to make players feel like they’re a Harry Potter-esque student hero going through their own adventure, but gives them a greater understanding of the Wizarding World as a whole. We know and love the castle that is Hogwarts, and the Ghosts and spirits that inhabit it. There’s even get the opportunity to see characters we’ve only glimpsed actually come to life, such as Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black (the great-great-grandfather of Sirius Black).
Rather than feed fans into the same narrative they’re used to, and make them play as Harry or his compatriots, in Hogwarts Legacy you’ll get to create your own character and use them to explore this world in greater detail – something that we haven’t been able to do before.
Hogwarts Legacy is out February 7th for Deluxe Edition owners and February 10th for standard owners. The cheapest copy is currently $79 from Amazon with free shipping.
