Hogwarts Legacy: The Review

Score: 8.5 out of 10

Overview: "Hogwarts Legacy is a magical journey that fulfills the dreams of fans eager to explore the Wizarding World in an open-world RPG. Set in the late 1800s, this prequel to the Harry Potter saga allows players to create their own witch or wizard, attend classes, and unravel an engaging mystery tied to ancient magic. While it captures the wonder of Hogwarts and its surroundings with stunning visuals and immersive gameplay, some technical hiccups and a lack of depth in certain areas hold it back from true greatness. Nevertheless, it’s a spellbinding adventure that delivers a rich, nostalgic experience."

The Positives

• Hogwarts and its surroundings are brought to life with incredible attention to detail. From the moving staircases and talking portraits to the bustling Hogsmeade village, the game is a love letter to the series’ lore;
• The narrative explores ancient magic and its connection to your character, offering intrigue and high-stakes drama. It effectively blends new lore with familiar elements, keeping fans of the series engaged while appealing to newcomers;
• The open world extends far beyond Hogwarts, with the Forbidden Forest, vast Highlands, and other iconic locations teeming with secrets, puzzles, and magical creatures. Exploration feels rewarding and often reveals delightful surprises;
• From choosing your house to designing your character, the game offers plenty of opportunities for personalization. Your choices, while not deeply impactful to the story, add to the sense of ownership over your adventure;
• Spells are the heart of combat, and the game offers a dynamic system that lets players combine and chain magical attacks. With dozens of spells to learn and upgrade, battles are engaging and full of variety;
• The game captures the magic of the Wizarding World with stunning environments, intricate character designs, and atmospheric lighting. The seasonal changes at Hogwarts and the rich details in every corner make it a visual treat;
• From hunting down magical beasts to solving Merlin Trials, the game is packed with activities that deepen the world-building and reward exploration.

The Negatives

• While customization is fun, the RPG systems lack depth. Dialogue choices have minimal impact, and the gear system, while visually appealing, feels overly simplistic;
• Some side quests lack variety, often falling into fetch or combat tasks that can become monotonous over time;
• Interacting with classmates and professors is a highlight but feels underdeveloped. Relationships lack meaningful progression, and you rarely feel like part of a dynamic school community;
• At launch, the game suffered from occasional frame rate drops, texture pop-ins, and long load times, which could break immersion;
• The narrative, while engaging, is mostly linear. Players’ choices rarely affect the outcome or relationships, which diminishes the impact of role-playing;
• Activities like potion-making or attending classes, while charming, lack complexity and could have been more interactive.

The Experience

Hogwarts Legacy is a magical adventure that fulfills the childhood dreams of exploring the Wizarding World. It masterfully brings the iconic castle and its surroundings to life, offering fans a richly detailed and visually stunning experience. The engaging story, dynamic combat, and expansive world are highlights, ensuring hours of immersive gameplay.
Despite its flaws—most notably in its shallow RPG elements and repetitive side content—the game captures the essence of the Wizarding World with charm and wonder. It’s a must-play for fans of the series and a delightful introduction for newcomers. For those who’ve always dreamed of receiving their Hogwarts letter, this is the next best thing.