Hogwarts Legacy Review In Progress
Hogwarts Legacy Review:
Currently played the game for 25 hours, story complete, review still in progress
As a child, the idea of stepping into the world of Harry Potter was nothing short of a dream. I used to be the kind of kid who’d daydream all the time. Countless hours on my bed or just walking around, imagining all the fantasy worlds I’d been exposed to.
The thought of attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, casting spells, and exploring the iconic locations from the books and films filled the mind with wonder and excitement. For many fans of the franchise, including myself, the idea of being able to experience the magic of the wizarding world was just a far-off daydream. However, with the release of the highly-anticipated action role-playing game, Hogwarts Legacy, that dream has finally become a reality.
The game takes place in the late 1800s, decades before the events of the Harry Potter series. Players take on the role of a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and are able to explore the vast and immersive world of the wizarding school. The game features a vast open world, which includes iconic locations from the franchise, such as Hogsmeade Village, the Forbidden Forest, and the Hogwarts Castle itself.
Gameplay
Hogwarts Legacy is a magical adventure that offers a vast array of mechanics that will keep you captivated for hours. The exploration aspect allows you to freely roam the halls of Hogwarts and beyond, uncovering hidden mysteries and collecting a multitude of magical artifacts. I cannot stress this enough, Hogwarts is MASSIVE. I still have not explored most of the castle. Secrets hide behind every wall and figuring out how to gain access will take a lot of time.
The puzzles you’ll encounter are masterfully crafted, and solving them is a joy… sometimes. There are some puzzles where I definitely was lost, off on some tangent.
“Does it get any more cozy than Hogsmeade?”
Replacing Diagon Alley as the place to spend all those galleons you’ve been saving up, Hogsmeade is a small cozy town just north of Hogwarts that you go to, early in the story. Lots of chests around which are behind locks (yes, you cannot access most of these till later on in the game). A few non-playable characters truly shine, among them Sirona, the owner of the Three Broomsticks. Her background as a witch is captivating, and we’ll delve into it in greater detail later on.
Travel between locations can be done using the convenient “Floo Powder” fast travel service, or by soaring through the skies on your broomstick or ||Spoilers||.
My biggest gripe is the repetitive dialogue. Hearing the same lines repeatedly becomes tiresome, and I wish the developers had devoted more time to this aspect of the game.
Truly a vast game with a lot of side quests, I sit here with only 23% complete after finishing the main story. So expect to spend around 50-60 hours if you want to 100% the game.
Result : 9/10
Combat
As a wizard or witch, your magical wand is your trusted companion. Throughout the game, you’ll use it to solve puzzles, illuminate dark areas, and scan your surroundings. However, as you progress, you’ll face increasingly powerful enemies, making it all the more important to hone your attack and defense spells.
You’ll learn several spells from the beginning, and the key to success is combining them. Hit an opponent with three basic spells, pull it towards you, then hit it three more times before setting it on fire and pushing it back. Different spell combinations result in different effects, and experimenting with different combinations is encouraged. As you progress, you’ll learn powerful combos, but you’re also free to create your own.
Fighting enemies is always exciting, as each opponent presents unique challenges. Some have shields that can only be broken with specific spells, while others are vulnerable to fire. To defend yourself, you can cast a shield spell or dodge out of danger. With its parry button and other mechanics, combat has a “Souls-like” feel to it. And as you progress, you can upgrade your spells for even more power and effect.
Personally, I found combat very fun, as long as you can stomach all the spell book switching that you’d need to do to be efficient. It can take a bit to get used to. It took me time to get used to dodging and the shield charm. To figure out when an opponent attacked based on their animation was quite difficult I must say.
I do wish there were more spells that you could use, hopefully we can see some later.
For those who prefer a more subtle approach, you can also sneak past enemies or stun them silently. The choice is yours! (My character played as a wizard who wouldn’t shy away from combat. I’d brazenly walk up to the front gate of a castle and fight everyone, no matter the numbers.)
Also unlocking and using the 3 unforgivable spells are always fun.
[On further review, I’d actually consider the combat as so much better than I thought it was. Sure, the enemies don’t all shoot spells at once, but I’d rather have it be fun to play with than realistic. I don’t want to be spending half the fight dodging everyone’s spells]
Score: 8/10 8.5/10
Graphics and Performance
Played on both a PC (1440p, medium) as well as on my Steam Deck
There is no photo mode.
Every aspect of the castle and its surroundings has been meticulously designed and crafted, making it feel like you’ve truly been transported into the world of magic. The stunning landscapes and intricate details of Hogwarts are truly a sight to behold. The grand halls are awe-inspiring, with their high ceilings and intricate details. And outside the castle, the sprawling grounds are just as captivating, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. The attention to detail is phenomenal, from the cobblestone paths to the swaying trees. You’ll feel like you’re actually walking the grounds of Hogwarts, rather than just playing a game.
Some lighting issues whenever you move from one room to another. It’s like the lights take a while to render and it ends up looking really bad.
On a Steam Deck it runs around 20-30 fps and some drops down to the 10s. But all in all, I’d say it’s reasonable.
Score: 6.5/10 (I have heard reports of many other users having issues with the game)
Story and Characters
Warning: This section probably contains spoilers
Hogwarts Legacy is set in the late 1800s and follows a student starting at Hogwarts in the fifth year. Why they are only starting that late is never really explained.
We start the game off with the introduction of Professor Fig, who acts as a mentor to the character, escorting the protagonist to Hogwarts via a flying coach. During the ride, they end up using a port key which teleports them to the bank of Gringotts, Diagon Alley. From this point, the protagonist learns they can see ancient magic, and are confronted by Ranrok the main antagonist, a goblin fueled by something resembling the ancient power wielded by the protagonist. Fig and the protagonist escape the goblin, and the protagonist begins their term at Hogwarts.
The rest of the story deals with them trying to deal with the Ranrok as well as learning the history of their ancient power.
I’d say the story felt predictable but is paced great, with time in between to attend classes and to learn new spells. However the actual story feels kinda dull. I had a hard time getting myself to go through some of the boring missions. Lots of puzzles to go through if that interests you though.
The protagonist never really feels like he cares about the people around him for some reason. He shows no emotions sometimes and just finishes his work (kinda relatable ngl).
There are also three main sidequests in the game, each following a character from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Slytherin (What happened to Ravenclaw??).
Now… the only quest I found interesting were the ones following Sebastian, the companion from Slytherin. With rewards like the 3 Unforgivables, a great story featuring Omnis Gaunt (Voldy’s grand uncle?) and some unpleasant choices, it’s the sidequest that actually feels like a story being played.
The other side quests are kinda fun, but I say this as someone who is fine with most Ubisoft-esque quests so your views may differ.
Score: 7/10
Verdict
If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter franchise, then you’ll be delighted if you end up buying Hogwarts Legacy. Hogwarts Legacy is the ultimate Harry Potter RPG experience that I have been longing for. The Open World format, demanding and intricate combat and the stunning depiction of Hogwarts and it’s surroundings will keep you yearning for more.
While there are some technical issues and an average main story, the rest of the game is quite remarkable. Which is why I’d give it 2 different scores.
Score(as a HP fan): 8.5/10
Score (as an RPG game) : 7.5/10
JK Rowling Issue
Please be aware that J.K. Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter franchise, has made controversial comments about transgender people in recent years. These comments have caused a lot of criticism and sparked a debate about whether or not to support her works, including Hogwarts Legacy.
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