Hogwarts Legacy is a game I wish had been made 10 years ago. Set in the late 1800s, the game lets you fully immerse yourself in the wizarding world: you can go and buy potions ingredients in Hogsmeade, fly to quaint villages on your broom and explore the secrets of Hogwarts castle.
I was immediately drawn to the game and pre-ordered it as thinking about playing it made me excited in a way that not many games have in recent years. Just the thought and anticipation of loading it up and seeing what the wizarding world had to offer me was enough to justify the £60 price tag. It is nostalgic while making the best use of today’s modern technology. It is full of magic and mystery and dark secrets.
Of course, it would be wrong of me to discuss this game without referring to the creator of its universe, JK Rowling, and the things she has said and done in recent years. The writer has been accused of transphobia regarding comments she has made about the transgender community, leading to some players choosing to boycott the release of Hogwarts Legacy. Whilst JK Rowling was not involved in the creation of the game, the use of her IP means she will still profit from the game, through receiving royalties.
In the game, you play as a witch or wizard who has the rare ability to see and control traces of a forgotten ancient magic. Amidst a goblin rebellion, you enrol at Hogwarts as a fifth year student to make friends and learn magic from some of the best magical teachers, some with familiar names.
The worldbuilding is absolutely one of the highlights of the game. From the moment you step into the halls of Hogwarts it’s clear the developers haven’t missed a single detail. Thanks to the open-world nature, you can walk through iconic scenes from the books, following landmarks along the way, to uncover the magic of the castle for yourself.
There is a point to be made that, if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan or if you have never read and enjoyed the books or movies, you might not get as much out of the game as those who have. Whilst it is graphically beautiful and the story is gripping enough, there is an element of fun that stems from exploring a universe that you previously only got to see through the eyes of the book’s characters.
Before Hogwarts Legacy officially launched my dad, who had early access, sent me a text that really sums up why I love the game so much: “I wish Hogwarts Legacy had been released when you were younger. I would have loved playing this with you. It’s as close to being at Hogwarts as you’ll come.”
Rating: 5/5