Hogwarts offers design wizardry to provide legacy experience for gamers of all ages

It’s been 12 years since the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two and 16 years since the original book was published… yet the magical/fanatical fanbase of the franchise hasn't died down one bit. The recent release of the action-based RPG Hogwarts Legacy has only added fuel to the fire as witches and wizards all around the world can finally experience Hogwarts and the surrounding areas for themselves.

The premise of the game is simple: the player takes the role of a young student about to enter their fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the late 1800s. Why a fifth year? Well, because the player holds a significant power that could quite literally tear the world apart or bring it together. This power, the power to see and wield ancient magic, becomes the center of the plot from the beginning cutscene.

Essentially, players begin with an introduction to the main guide, Professor Fig. Some magical circumstances (notably involving a Portkey) come into play, and players are introduced to the main villain of the story: Ranrok, leader of the goblin race. Ranrok seeks the power to start a war and destroy all of wizardkind, however, the player stands in the way as the one who can stop this plan before it starts. 

Despite the possibility of the end of all wizardkind, the player still has to learn and grow to be better equipped for the future. This leads Fig and the player to Hogwarts, where they will both explore the school and explore the surrounding world to learn magic and its history. 

Players have the ability to choose which house they reside in-- but choose wisely as each offers a different main quest path with different opportunities. They will learn everything from herbology and potions to charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts, as well as broom riding and caring for magical beasts. Each class requires a different skill set, different controls, and an overall different game experience. 

Spells can be used for combat or redecorating the player's very own Room of Requirement, while potions and plants can deal some major damage in battles. Hufflepuffs can also spend the majority of their time saving magical beasts and breeding them for materials. These materials can then be used to upgrade gear.

And yes, for those dark wizards out there, there is a quest path to learn each of the three Unforgivable Curses: Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra. For those looking to take a step down this path, it would be best to stay on the good side of another fifth-year and major character, Sebastian Sallow. Don’t worry though, it’s not required to learn these curses, and it won’t change the course of the main storyline. 

Other side quests include various students at Hogwarts and townsfolk around the world that offer different experiences and different playing styles. Keeping this a spoil-free zone, let’s just say there might be dragons involved in one. In any sense, each character the player meets plays a role in the main storyline but also offers interesting new adventures and opportunities for growth. 

What makes this game a true oasis for the Potterheads of the world, however, is the sheer size of the map. Players have the ability to explore 14 separate regions, including all of the Hogwarts castle and the popular town of Hogsmeade, each with its own enemy levels, challenges, and secrets. The main story path moves with the player, so taking time to explore and level up won’t hurt the gameplay experience, but will rather make it even better. 

The game offers a quick travel feature, which is satisfyingly canon to the original story: Floo Powder. For those looking to travel across the map in a couple of clicks, this is an excellent option. However, players can also take the scenic route and walk (or ride) a mount and take in the detailed art of the world. Hogwarts Legacy includes detailed world building that can be adjusted based on the player’s gaming system. The environment includes shaders, which add a level of ambiance to the scene that flows with the time of day and the season. Each season includes what is expected, like snow in winter and the changing of leaves in the fall. Each town and building, including Hogwarts itself, is created to mimic the architecture and interior design of the late 1800s. It’s not quite the same as was pictured in the films, but it does show a level of artistry and detail that is unique to the game. 

Hogwarts Legacy also includes its very own soundtrack that varies depending on the location of the character. Players exploring the highlands can expect an adventurous accompaniment, while those strolling through the streets of Hogsmeade can enjoy a typical medieval jig. The music also continues on a loop, so players don’t have to worry about playing in silence if they stay in one location for too long. 

Player control takes a bit to get used to, especially using a keyboard and mouse. The game is currently released on PS5 and PC, however, a controller is recommended to play. Each spell and action requires its own button/key, making the process of learning a little tedious. However, it’s easy to get the hang of after battling a couple of dummies or dark wizards. Players are also able to change the controls to something more desirable, if they prefer. 

This action and adventure packed open world RPG certainly reflects the four years of work put in by the developers, Avalanche Software. With the 35 hours of main story, and many more of exploration, it is guaranteed to keep witches and wizards of all ages busy for a long while. But don’t fret- even if the main character has completed the storyline four times, once per house, Avalanche Software is already working on future DLCs that will only make this game more involved. Possibilities and hopes for the future include Quidditch, romance options, more magical beasts, more spells, and an animagus questline. 

A+: For anyone who has been waiting to hold a wand since the moment they first immersed themselves into the wizarding world, Hogwarts Legacy is it. 

by Len Kloss

Published March 17, 2023

Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue VI