Friendships are forged by helping them with their problems, which involves a great deal of running around Hogwarts castle and the wider landscape – which in this game goes a lot further than the wizards-only village of Hogsmeade. The first comes in the form of your warm-hearted mentor, Professor Fig, and secondly there’s the Hogwarts students you meet, both in your own house and beyond.

Between his angry demeanour, political machinations, and a dark union between the nasty local goblin horde and Victor Rookwood – descendant of an early Hogwarts professor – you’ve got your work cut out for you.įortunately, you have allies. In this pre-Dumbledore era, you’ll find the school ruled by the iron fist of headmaster Phineas Black, played with wonderfully embittered zeal by an unrecognisable Simon Pegg. Hogwarts Legacy isn’t about to force anyone to be a Hufflepuff if they’d really rather be in Gryffindor. A couple of questions and it’s made up its mind, although in a break with tradition, if you don’t fancy the house you’re given you can simply request a transfer to the one you prefer. This unusual ability sets in motion the mystery that powers the plot and provides you with some amusingly spectacular finishing moves.Īrriving at Hogwarts as a senior, the first order of business is to meet the sorting hat and find out which house you belong in. Hogwarts Legacy, with its big budget and historical setting – that removes it from the limitations imposed by the books and their well-worn character arcs – is a completely different proposition.ĭespite initially not knowing your expelliarmus from your wingardium leviosa, you can see and wield ancient magic that remains well beyond the reach of the rank and file at Hogwarts. Rowling’s increasingly toxic reputation and despite the billions in revenues it takes from other sources, this is a series that’s never quite felt at home in games. Cursed to adhere to the films’ launch windows, their development rushed to meet arbitrary deadlines, they also suffered from the traditional malaise of all movie licenses (or at least those from previous generations): with so much of their budget allocated to buying the rights to the IP, actually making the games becomes a secondary concern.Īdd to that J.

The big budget Harry Potter role-playing game fans have been dreaming of is finally here, but does it live up to expectations?įor such a significant franchise, games based on Harry Potter have had a rough ride with critics.

Hogwarts Legacy – a wizard time for all (pic: WB Games)

Hogwarts legacy ps5 review