PGC NEWS

The Harry Potter universe has captivated audiences worldwide since the release of J.K. Rowling’s novels. While the film adaptations enjoyed immense success, previous Harry Potter video games haven’t quite reached the same level of acclaim, often perceived as being targeted primarily towards children. However, Warner Bros. Games’ Hogwarts Legacy, an open-world action RPG, aims to change that, promising an immersive and unforgettable experience for Harry Potter fans of all ages. Despite pre-release controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling and the recent disappointment of Square Enix’s Forspoken, Hogwarts Legacy has generated significant buzz. Does it live up to the hype? Let’s delve into the magical world of Hogwarts and find out.

Spellbinding Combat

altInitially, I was skeptical about how the “wand-waving” combat of the Harry Potter universe would translate into a compelling gameplay experience. I envisioned repetitive spell-casting becoming monotonous quickly. However, Hogwarts Legacy’s combat system proved me wrong. It offers a dynamic and engaging experience reminiscent of the Batman Arkham series, with fast-paced, fluid combat requiring precise timing and strategic button combinations.

altMastering the art of spell-casting is crucial. The Protego spell (shield) can be timed perfectly to trigger a Stupefy counterattack, while powerful, unblockable enemy attacks require well-timed dodges similar to Souls games. Players can chain together devastating combos by combining damage spells, control spells, and force spells. Lifting, freezing, and then bombarding enemies with Basic Casts creates visually stunning sequences. The more elaborate and fluid your combos, the faster an “Ancient Magic” meter fills, allowing you to unleash devastating and visually impressive finishing moves. Beyond combat, spells like Disillusionment (invisibility) and Alohomora (lock picking) add further depth to the gameplay.

The RPG elements in Hogwarts Legacy are streamlined, focusing on Health, Defence, and Offence stats. Gear is categorized by rarity, ranging from Well-Appointed to Legendary, with higher-tier items granting additional buffs (Traits) like increased damage or reduced spell cooldowns. As you level up, you earn Talent Points to unlock powerful upgrades, allowing for character customization and diverse playstyles.

Immersive World and Story

altSet in the 18th century, long before the events of the Harry Potter books, Hogwarts Legacy allows you to create your own witch or wizard. From appearance and gender to house selection and wand choice, the character creation process is detailed and immersive. The game’s dramatic prologue sets the stage for a thrilling and mysterious adventure, a departure from the more family-friendly tone of previous Warner Bros. Games titles.

Much of the game unfolds within the iconic Hogwarts castle. As a fifth-year student, you’ll experience daily life at Hogwarts, attending classes, making friends, and even breaking curfew to explore the castle’s hidden corners. The environment design is breathtaking, meticulously recreating both the interior and exterior of Hogwarts with stunning detail and fidelity. Every room, corridor, and familiar location from the films, including the Common Room, Great Hall, and Room of Requirement, is brought to life with impressive accuracy and a wealth of interactive elements.

altThe developers’ dedication extends to the magical atmosphere they’ve crafted. The moving staircases, animated portraits, self-playing instruments, ghostly whispers, and mischievous suits of armor create a truly immersive and believable world. The NPCs, from students and professors to the residents of Hogsmeade, follow their own schedules, adding to the world’s dynamism. The familiar, enchanting musical score from the Harry Potter films further enhances the experience.

A Wealth of Content

altBeyond Hogwarts, a vast open world awaits, brimming with activities. From gathering potion ingredients and solving Merlin Trials to tracking down fantastic beasts and battling goblins and dark wizards, there’s always something to do. With over 100 side quests, the depth and variety of content rival even The Witcher 3. The character models and voice acting are consistently high quality, even for minor characters. The extensive customization options, including the ability to change the appearance of your highest-stat gear, are a welcome addition.

altThe dynamic day-night cycle adds another layer of immersion. The bustling activity of Hogwarts during the day contrasts with the quiet, eerie atmosphere of the castle at night, when special events and hidden secrets come to light. Assignments from professors offer opportunities to learn unique spells, while extracurricular activities like swimming, broom flying, Hippogriff riding, and dueling provide further diversions.

The Room of Requirement is a standout feature, functioning as your personal base. From changing its appearance and layout to decorating it with collected items, the level of customization is impressive.

Performance Issues

altWhile Hogwarts Legacy comes close to being a masterpiece, it suffers from performance issues, particularly on PC. Even with a more-than-capable system (RTX 3060, i7-12700K, 32GB RAM), maintaining a stable framerate at Ultra settings in 1080p proved challenging. Areas with high detail density within Hogwarts and certain outdoor environments caused significant frame drops, especially when using Ray Tracing.

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Despite these technical shortcomings, Hogwarts Legacy delivers a captivating and immersive open-world RPG experience. It’s a must-play for Harry Potter fans and a strong contender for one of the best open-world games of the year.