Will Magic Prevail? - Hogwarts Legacy (Preview)

Harry Potter is a huge franchise. With eight mainline movies and now three spin offs in the Fantastic Beast line up of films. Yet, even as these movies released, we had not had a new entry in the gaming sphere for nearly a decade.

Well in 2023, this is all about to change with Hogwarts Legacy.

It is indeed set in the same wizarding universe but in this new game, you won’t be seeing Harry, Ron, Hermione, or anyone you may recognise. This is because it is set in the 1800’s, over 100 years prior to the events of horcruxes, dark lords and swallowing golden snitches.

In Hogwarts Legacy, you will create a unique new character in the lore, starting a new legacy, Hence the game title and your goal is to take on a goblin rebellion while uncovering a deep, dark new form of magic that seems to have awoken with you. Set at Hogwarts, with many familiar locations such as Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, the castle itself and even more locations yet to be revealed. All available in an open world adventure. It is at its heart, a role-playing experience for the player. Dropping you into the magical world we all know and love.

There will be many key opportunities to tailor your wizard as you see fit. From picking your Hogwarts house to represent yourself, the robes and garments you will wear, and even your very own custom wand. But remember, the wand choses the wizard so be cautious. Sadly, it will be a single player experience so no inviting friends to go invade Hufflepuff's dorm with nifflers. A crying shame if I do say so myself. But we can always dream of multiplayer updates or DLC in the future?

A hugely important figure in the game will be Phineas Regulus Black. Our headmaster this time around, sorting us into houses and keeping an eye on our hijinks. He is even being voiced by Simon Pegg, what a legend. For anyone who has read the books or studied the lore of Harry Potter, you may realise Regulus was not the nicest man.

You won’t be coming in as a bumbling first year though, these dangers of a magical world would not be ideal for a 11-year-old in a narrative and mechanical sense for a video game. So, Avalanche, the developers involved decided to make your character a fifth year. Beyond that fact, we know very little about our protagonist. During your time at Hogwarts, you will have a lot to experience. Spells, classes, exploration, secrets, and friendships will form the basis of your adventures at Hogwarts. 26 spells have been confirmed and there will be a plethora of characters to interact with too. But who knows what you will find outside the school. Wild fantastic creatures to tame perhaps?

If it takes your fancy, players will have access to the room of requirement for a variety of activities. Weaving their own cloths, brewing potions, decorating their environment and even using vivarium’s to have zoo’s. Only the nicest people care for animals after all.

But you can be evil too, with unforgivable curses making their appearance in game. Yes, you can murder people if you wish. Just not your fellow students. Although doing so has no official karma system tied to it, the developers have said it will impact the way characters interact and perceive you.

There will be four unique experiences in Hogwarts Legacy depending on your choice of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. Offering hugely different common rooms, companions, aesthetics and even side quests. Even PlayStation users will get a special exclusive quest to explore a haunted house in Hogsmeade. Plenty of replay value. But if you do not own a PS5, it will be available if you can wait till 2024, time turners at the ready ay?

Nevertheless, Hogwarts Legacy will have you hooked for a 35 hour story and up to 100 hours if you chose to do absolutely everything you can. Releasing to PS5, Xbox X Series and PC on February 10. With previous generation consoles getting their hands on it later this year. It will be published by Warner Brothers too, the original company in charge of the movie releases.

But for those wanting to part with their hard-earned galleons, you can play early if you grab the deluxe or collector’s edition for access on February 7. A whole three days prior to the main release. Hogwarts Legacy will also feature the ability to integrate your Pottermore profile online for in-game benefits such as outfits, wands, and unique bonuses. There is certainly a lot of magic on offer, and you will be able to experience it soon for around £60 / $70 depending on where you live in the world.

By John Perry