With many game studios increasingly focused on multiplayer games, Hogwarts Legacy is a welcome addition for those seeking a compelling single-player experience. Set in the beloved Harry Potter universe, this open-world game offers a captivating adventure story that will satisfy both fans and newcomers alike. As someone who typically gravitates towards MMORPGs and often skips storylines, I was excited to dive into Hogwarts Legacy’s immersive world and even it has a skip button on it, I never skip a single one as it has a cinematic cutscenes that makes me immerse well into the story.
The game is set in the 1890s, long before the events of the Harry Potter series. Players assume the role of a newcomer fifth-year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along the way, you discover that you possess a special, long-forgotten ability that draws the attention of Professor Fig, your trusted companion in uncovering the secrets of a Portkey.
Your journey takes an unexpected turn when you encounter a dragon, an event that teleported you in a different place. Your bravery in encountering the dragon earns you a place in the spotlight of the school, making you the talk of the town among fellow students.
The story of the game centers around the secret of a Portkey, entrusted to Professor Fig by his wife. As you the one with ancient ability, you will play a significant role in helping Professor Fig unveil the truth behind this mysterious object. I won’t spoil the rest of the story for you, as it’s best experienced firsthand.
Hogwarts Legacy’s approach to incorporating tutorials is quite impressive as they manage to make it engaging and interesting. Instead of a traditional tutorial, the game integrates the learning of basic spells and magic into the main story and side quests. Making the many ways to cast spells, combat action and potion making not that overwhelming. Learning the basic spells is just the beginning of the satisfying experience, as you’ll find yourself constantly casting spells on every object in sight.
One of my favorite aspects of Hogwarts Legacy is the combat system. Throughout the game, you will encounter a variety of foes, including wizards, witches, and even monsters. The way your character performs these spells is just as gratifying, with each spell producing a unique animation in which you will be eager to experiment more to create your own moves. There is also a combo system which allows you to combine different spells and actions for even more devastating attacks on your enemies.
During combat, your main actions are dashing, shielding, countering attacks, casting spells, and performing combos. However, it can be challenging when facing multiple enemies, especially when you’re being attacked from behind. While there are alert icons indicating when an enemy is casting a spell at you, it can still be difficult to avoid them all. Additionally, casting combo spells may cause your character to move forward, which can lead to falls from high places, such as when trying to cast a spell while hiding on top of rocks. But with a few stealth tricks, you can eliminate the enemies one at a time.
The enemy AI in the game is fairly typical of what you might expect in other similar games. When one enemy spot you, others in the vicinity become alerted and join the fight or provide backup. Resetting the alert level is also similar, running away from the fight or hiding behind the trees.
Hogwarts Legacy offers an extensive range of RPG elements that keep the gameplay engaging and exciting. The game allows you to level up your character, acquire new skills, craft potions, and wear tiered equipment. Completing various tasks like casting spells to pull flying paper, exploring hidden areas, and defeating enemies are just some of the ways to earn experience and level up your character.
In the game, obtaining equipment is possible by looting chests or purchasing them from NPCs in the store. The gear is tiered with different rarities, and each piece has unique stats that impact your character’s performance in combat. It’s important to note that you start off with only 20 slots for gear, which may prompt you to sell some items to make room. Alternatively, you have the option to use clothing items purely for cosmetic purposes to modify your character’s appearance without affecting their stats.
Spells on the other hand, are obtained through completing significant progress on the main story, so it’s important to focus on that before exploring the wild to avoid confusion and unnecessary backtracking. Those are just some of the RPG element in Hogwarts Legacy and these may sound repetitive, the game keeps things interesting with constantly changing environments and a variety of missions especially cutscenes that make each one feels unique and engaging.
Overall, the game is a complete and fantastic single-player experience. It is complete with a great story, engaging combat mechanics, well-designed RPG elements, and stunning visuals. The attention to detail in creating the magical world of Harry Potter is impressive, and fans of the series will be delighted to explore Hogwarts and its surrounding areas.