Video Game Review: Hogwarts Legacy

I've been a huge Harry Potter fan, ever since the books came out during my teenage years. They're probably the first books I ever really truly emerged myself into. The author JK Rowling created an incredibly original story in the 7 part book series, and even more so a very detailed universe. In the likes of Stars Wars or Lord of the Rings, this Wizarding World has the potential for countless spin-off stories. That was the case for Rowling's short stories, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The History of Quidditch, the Tales of Beedle the Bard, and The Cursed Child. The Fantastic Beasts movie series was also released as a prequel to the Harry Potter story. 

The video game Hogwarts Legacy had a lot of hype to it, being the first game in the series to offer an open world format. I for one have had this one on my radar for over a year and finally zipped thru it at the onset of fall. Accompanied by a full on Harry Potter phase of some books and of course the movies. It took me maybe a couple months and around 40 hours to finish this one. (not much compared to Zelda). The setting is also in it's own right an entirely original story that exists in the same universe as the Harry Potter story. It actually takes place about 100 years before the events of Harry Potter, during the late 1890s. Since I love history pieces, I think this older setting gave it an even more magical gameplay experience. 

The Story and Gameplay

The game is quite different from other open world games I have mostly played such as Zelda or Assassin's Creed. For starters you get to create your own character, give them a name, and dress them in the wizarding fashion. This was quite reminiscent of Skyrim for me. I of course gave the character my name and made him look as close to myself as possible. The facial design features were quite impressive, and to think there could be so many varieties to building the main character. I think creating your own character right away builds an attachment to the game, especially if you put some thought and time into it. Right away my protagonist was thrust into a story around the iconic school of magic known as Hogwarts. 

He is a new transfer 5th year student that is accompanied on his journey to Hogwarts by Professor Fig. On their way they are attacked by a massive dragon and escape thru a Portkey that takes them into a vault in Gringotts. There they learn of an ancient magic before they are confronted by the main antagonist, Ranrok, a wicked goblin who seeks to harness the power of this ancient magic. The protagonist and Fig are able to escape and join the school's sorting ceremony. I was quite excited for this part and did my best to answer honestly. Surprisingly I was sorted in Gryffindor (and not Slytherin) because I favored adventure over ambition. 

What was quite special about this game is the very detailed map of Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the surrounding Scottish highlands. (I actually just found out Hogwarts was in Scotland and not in  England). The protagonist must learn magical spells from the various teachers at Hogwarts. There are also quests required to learn and unlock new spells. There were over 20 spells that could be learned, equipped, and used during combat or other various needs. I'll elaborate on the spells more below. Once the spells were learned it actually made for very unique and exhilarating combat. Of course the dodge feature was also a must to parry oncoming attacks. I ultimately found the combat to be very easy in this game, and I actually only died a handful of times. 

There was also many puzzles, secrets, and side quests aside from the main plot of uncovering this ancient magic and defeating Ranrok. Like most open world games, the more side quests and secrets you find, the faster you can improve your character's level. I always enjoy the wardrobe in open world games, and this one was especially unique with it's wizarding fashion of pointy hats, glasses, gloves, and robes. As the game progresses you can also equip a broom to ride around, and even other magical creatures such as a hippogriff. 

This game also had one of my favorite features of open-world games, a home base to build and collect items. In this case it was the Room of Requirement, where the protagonist could grow plants, brew potions, and enhance his wardrobe. He could also add various decorations, paintings, chairs, rugs, lights, and so forth to add a personal touch to the room. What was especially unique was the collection of magical animals that he could store in a vivarium. By rescuing this creatures from the wild from poachers, he could store the animals, feed them, brush them, collect resources from them, and even breed them. The proper care of these animals are essential to collect enhancements for your gear such as feathers or fur. 

The main villains in the game consist of goblins, trolls, and evil witches and wizards such as poachers and ashwinders. The main character is often accompanied by his classmates or even teachers to fight off various threats. Aside from the vast size and detail of the Hogwarts castle, there is actually a big map outside of the castle to explore. This includes Hogsmeade that has around ten different stores for buying seeds, potions, plants, wardrobe, broom enhancements, magical creatures, and so forth. I always enjoy a game that a business component to it, and this one certainly offers that. The moonstones are the magical currency required to add more to your room of requirement. 

The magical spells

• Alohomora: Grants the ability to unlock locks. Even after casting the spell, there is still a puzzle to open the lock. This skills is learned from a professor by collecting demiguises throughout the map. There are 3 levels of this skill.
• 
  Petrificus Totalus: Will freeze an enemy in place for a short period
• Protego: Will create a brief protective shield
• Revelio: Will reveal any secrets that lay within a close proximity. This is especially helpful for finding secrets and treasures, or main quest puzzles
• Stupefy: This is a counterattack spell that follows the use of Protego. It is basically a general cast that can bring damage and break thru shields.
• Beast Capture: This is a magical bag that can vacuum up an animal in the wild. This is not so easy however and often takes some patience
• Beast Feed and Pet: This is required to feed and pet the magical creatures in order to collect their resources
  
• Disillusionment: The ability to make one's self invisible. Ideal for stealth missions
• Lumos: Casts a flash light in dark areas. Also useful for attracting magical butterflies
• Reparo: Repairs damaged structures
• Wingardium Leviosa: Levitates an object
• 
  Levioso: Levitates a person or enemy
  
• Arresto Momento: Slows an object or person down. This is helpful for collecting animals
• Glacius: Temporarily freezes an enemy
• Transformation: Transforms an enemy into an object temporarily. 
• Accio: Summons an object or even an enemy. This is ideal for puzzles or even collecting the flying field guides throughout the map. 
• Descendo: Brings an enemy crashing to the ground several times
• Depulso: Provides a forceful shock wave 
• Flipendo: Flips an enemy around, causing damage
• Bombarda: A strong cast that can break thru rubble, spiderwebs, and damage to enemies
• Diffindo: Another strong cast that can slash enemies and bring damage
• Expelliarmus: This spell will de-wand someone leaving them temporarily without a weapon
• Incendio: This will cast a blast of fire, necessary for puzzles, breaking thru spiderwebs, or figting enemies
• Avada Kadavra: The unforgivable killing curse.
• Crucio: The unforgivable torture curse
• Imperio: The unforgivable control curse

The Review

I am very partial to the Harry Potter universe, so ultimately I really enjoyed the magical setting of this game. It pretty much offered everything I was looking for, a full on immersive experience into Hogwarts and it's surrounding terrain. The detail within the castle was quite surreal; from it's sheer complex floorplan, to the classical style of it all, the moving paintings, the winding staircases, wandering students, flying ghosts, flying books, astronomical and mythological designs, and so many secrets. I just loved exploring the castle, and probably only uncovered maybe half of it's secrets. I also enjoyed exploring Hogsmeade, with it's very quaint village setting, and shops you could explore and do business in. 

While I enjoyed the game, more so for it's content matter, the game didn't quite compare to my experiences with Zelda, Assassin's Creed, The Witcher, or Red Dead Redemption. While it was open-world per say, there was still some very limited motion within and outside the castle. I was not too crazy about the limitations of the broom flying, with there being regions you simply could not fly or land. But what was especially disappointing in this game was the glitches, unlike any I've seen in recent video games. There were one instance where it seemed I had entered a magical portal on a broom, flying thru the unfinished animation of Hogwarts. There was also a moment in the final quest where a goblin seemed to apparate into a stone, and could not remove himself. And I could not move on, until the goblin was defeated, so I had to frustratingly start the quest from the beginning. This was just two major examples of many other minor glitches throughout my experience. 

I probably wouldn't have the game in my top 25, but still it was very fun to explore the Wizarding World. I put in around 40 enjoyable hours, and still hope to maybe take on a few more side quests the next couple days. It was also quite refreshing to zip thru the quests and puzzles, maybe only a few times was I truly challenged. Although it is good to be challenged it's also a nice feeling to beat bosses on your first try. Even after beating the game there is still so many challenges and secrets to uncover. The game has a very autumn-fallsy (almost macabre) feel to it, which is another reason I've always enjoyed Harry Potter. I believe anyone who enjoys Harry Potter would not be disappointed in this interactive video gaming experience.