Hogwarts Legacy Review – A Potion Well-Brewed

The art of translating a classic fiction into a modern medium is difficult. It’s a big reason licensed games frequently miss the mark, sometimes failing to find the tone and nuance that made the original version shine. Avalanche Software tackles such challenges with skill and an obvious appreciation of the films and source books. Hogwarts Legacy, a fascinating adventure in the wizarding world Harry Potter is full of unique gameplay and experience that will keep you entertained for many hours. While it retains the charm that has made Harry Potter so famous, the game also offers an array of different experiences.

The developer can borrow stories and places from the past, while also telling a completely new story without any restrictions. Players assume the role a wizard, witch, or other magical being and arrive at Hogwarts in the fifth year. You will be challenged to manage your matriculation while also balancing an extra-curricular adventure that involves dark wizards and dangerous goblins as well as an old form of lost magic. Some stories can be used to give players the opportunity to achieve big beats. This could include a ride on a triumphant hippogriff, or a fun excursion through the castle as you transform into a funny character. If the overarching narrative sometimes feels a little flimsy as a result, it’s buoyed by uniformly excellent dialogue and voice acting that carries the action forward, as well as a standout musical score.

Hogwarts offers a wonderful environment for exploring. From the armour suits you notice as your pass, to the books flying around the room like birds, it is an enjoyable place to visit. It’s not hard to understand why characters in the books were always getting into trouble outside class; it’s nearly impossible not to get distracted from your path to education by a side quest, collectible chase, or other activity. There are many secrets and wonderful discoveries, and there are many relationships with young students and quirky faculty. The castle’s labyrinthine hallways are just one example of this dynamic. It extends to the great open space beyond. There are plenty of beasts to be tamed, dungeons you need to conquer and opportunities for you to use your broom to fly across the countryside.

A wealth of unique systems and mechanics govern the game’s advancement, leading to a mix of exploration, puzzle, and combat gameplay and a satisfying progression of leveling and upgrades. The vast majority of those systems are well-designed and fun, but it means you’re still getting tutorials in new game processes, even dozens of hours into play. It works to some extent within the fictional context, since you are still a student in a school. But it can make you feel like you’re waiting for the full suite of options to open up for far too long.

It’s exciting to engage in combat, full of fun spell effects and ways to exploit weaknesses. Battle animations are entertaining, making it feel like you’re in that life-or-death magic duel or a terrifying confrontation with a troll. Once in a while the excitement can be slowed down by too few enemies. I still enjoyed the fights, and sometimes the sneaky routes that allowed me to escape the melee with an invisibility potion.

During my long playthrough I ran into minor issues such as popping in while moving quickly or door-opening delays. Some game systems work better than others. However, there are some minor issues that can impede the enjoyment of the game. For example, the flood of low-quality rewards for gear is a problem. Hogwarts Legacy offers a rich, interactive environment where you can live your Harry Potter dream.