If you grew up with Harry Potter, there’s always something magical about the wizarding world that the movies might not satisfy due to how realistic it looks. Hogwarts Legacy, as a video game, gives you, as the player, that personal touch as you have the ability to explore the world at your own pace to your heart's content.
The major difference between playing a game and watching a movie or reading a book is that you have an actual impact on the character in the story. You drive the story instead of just reading about it. You get to see visually the spells that you cast. These are reasons why people really love Hogwarts Legacy: being able to play as a character in the wizarding world and having an impact on it!
9. Ability to become a Wizard
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There aren’t a lot of games where you have the ability to become a wizard, let alone a powerful one on the scale of Hogwarts Legacy. There are a lot of games where magic exists, but it’s never an "all-in" focus. Magic in games is usually just a build or class where you can cast spells; it’s purely a combat-based role.
One of the most impressive things about Hogwarts' Legacy is how well it portrays the magical nature of the wizarding world. Simple tasks that we (in real life) would need to do physically can be resolved instead with magic. The game fully pulls you into the world with the visible benefits of being a wizard, with effects and visuals. I think that one of the biggest reasons people love Hogwarts’s Legacy is that it provides an in-depth experience of the wizarding world, which is a step above the purely combat-centric experience found in other games. You are completely thrown into a magical universe, and you get to really enjoy the benefits of magic!
8. Secrets and Mysteries aplenty
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There are a lot of secrets and mysteries in Hogwarts Legacy. From puzzle doors to light puzzles, heat puzzles, and even chess puzzles. If you’re a fan of puzzles, you’ll be able to get your fill from Hogwarts Legacy!
One of the best things about the game is that these puzzles keep it engaging. They give you the experience of being a student at Hogwarts, where you are tasked with exploring a magical school and land with puzzles and mysteries everywhere. It really helps with building a sense of discovery and promoting a mood for exploration!
7. No micro-transactions
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Games nowadays are always trying to get the most out of you as a consumer, and I mean that monetarily. DLC, microtransactions, skins, bundles—you name it; almost every game has it!
Hogwarts' Legacy, however, delivers the full package with no strings attached. There are no plans for any microtransactions; you can get the full experience just by purchasing the game. While microtransactions have become common with every game release, it’s definitely great to see a game that’s confident in its ability to be a smashing success without the need to pad it with microtransactions!
6. Soundtrack design – very movie-like sequencing
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A soundtrack is basically the personality of a game. You can have gameplay and audio, but if there’s no music to complement the game, it’ll feel very bland. Luckily, Hogwarts' Legacy has a top-notch soundtrack and audio. Ranging from classical pieces to epic orchestral pieces, Hogwarts' Legacy’s soundtrack does not disappoint!
Akin to some of the magical moments you hear and experience in the movies, Hogwarts’s Legacy has its own epic score. The game features perfectly timed moments where these epic pieces start playing, allowing you to enjoy and bask in the glory of the moment. Soundtrack and visuals go hand-in-hand, and Hogwarts' Legacy has it spot on!
5. Fun & Fluid combat mechanics
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Combat is really important for games, but there aren’t many out there that really let you feel like a powerful wizard. For example, there are games like Skyrim and Elden Ring where you have multiple options for customizing your character; you are free to become a wizard or spellcaster, but it’s not the main focus of the game, and the experience feels different.
There’s a huge difference in the experience when a game is balanced around a single build and a 100% spellcaster build. There’s a lot of fluidity optimization that keeps the game fun and paced properly, which can’t be done at the same scale when there are a lot of different build options to factor in. Hogwarts' Legacy masterfully created a combat system that makes you pay attention to different barriers, understand spell combinations, and rewards skillful mastery of the combat. Once you master the combat, Hogwarts' Legacy is an absolute joy to play, and that’s why so many enjoy it!
4. Amazing visuals
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While graphics aren’t the most important aspect of a game, if a game plays well, has a great setting, and has amazing visuals, then it’s a "Game of the Year" contender. Hogwarts’s Legacy has all of these elements, but one thing that really stands out are the visuals. With its photorealistic graphics, there are numerous jaw dropping moments in the game.
Throughout the game, there will be many moments where you will find yourself admiring the details and splendor. Timed perfectly with near-death experiences, escaping on a hippogriff, and rare sightings of an especially rare beast, breathtaking scenery is aplenty in Hogwarts' Legacy, keeping you in awe throughout your journey at Hogwarts!
3. Well Fleshed out Transmog options
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Fashion is one of the most important end-game features in any game. When you’re the strongest in the universe, you need to make sure you look the part! Luckily, Hogwarts' Legacy has one of the best transmog systems in any game to date. From your wand to your broom, you can fashion every part of your character to your liking—no limitations or currency needed!
You can tell the game was designed without microtransactions in mind because this kind of cosmetic freedom is typically locked behind a paywall. It’s well appreciated; normally, you don’t realize how much fun transmog is because it’s not easily accessible. Let’s be honest: if transmog costs resources in Hogwarts' Legacy, most would choose to use it elsewhere (like upgrades to gear or power-ups) instead of using it for looks, but it’s hassle-free in Hogwarts' Legacy! If you want to change your hat, you can—just go into the style and select a different appearance! The flexibility and freedom to change at will are definitely appreciated and are one of the best features of the game!
2. Thoughtfully designed Transportation systems
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Most open-world games have a mode of transportation, but there are usually some limitations, such as being difficult to access or limiting where you can use it. For example, in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, the longboat can only be used on water, and you can only travel up and down rivers. Very rarely do you have a method of transportation that is always with you, and you can easily switch between ground and air transport in the blink of an eye.
Hogwarts' Legacy’s transportation system between an air mount, broom, and ground mount is thoughtfully designed and fun. Air mount is fast but lacks mobility (slow left and right turns), so it’s great for long distances in the air if you want to bask in the view. The ground mount lacks the ability to fly, but it’s fast and it can trample through enemies. If you feel like running through Hogwarts and don’t want to be stopped by enemies, this is the mount to use! The broom is fast, has high mobility, and can be used in mid-air. The broom is especially helpful if you accidentally walk off a cliff (or if you want to jump off a cliff), as you can summon the broom instantly in mid-air. Each method of transportation has its own perks, and that’s a sign of great design.
1. True to the original material
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The most important thing about a game based on a book or movie is that it needs to stay true to the source material. One of the best things about Hogwarts' Legacy is that it’s a prequel, so it gives the developers a bit of wiggle room on the design because it doesn’t need to be a complete replication of the movies or books. As long as the lore, history, and store sync up with the events of Harry Potter and everything aligns, then you have a great game!
Hogwarts' Legacy does just that: things that exist in Hogwarts, such as the ghosts, some of the secrets, the great hall, library, and such, are replicated in almost exact detail with the movies and descriptions in the books. This makes exploring Hogwarts an absolute delight because you essentially relive the sequences seen in the movie by playing the game. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Hogwarts in person, Hogwarts Legacy is the closest medium to date, and it’s a fantastic experience!
With already thousands of games on my belt, I still hunger for more. Always on the hunt for the next innovative and model breaking game, I lie in wait, waiting for the right moment to strike
Gamer Since:
1996
Favorite Genre:
RPG
Currently Playing:
Genshin Impact, Star Ocean The Divine Force, Call of Duty MW 2, Warframe
Top 3 Favorite Games:
Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim, Dark Souls 3 , Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
