Fans of Harry Potter have dreamt about going to Hogwarts ever since the first book came out and became wildly popular. While there’s the theme park experience, it’s not everything fans dream about.
That’s where Hogwarts Legacy comes in. It is a role-playing game where the player becomes a 5th-year student at Hogwarts, where you can duel with classmates, brew potions in class, fly on a broomstick, and explore the school’s campus.
A lot of details were revealed by Avalanche Software in the PlayStation’s State of Play, here are the highlights:
Plot details revealed
All of this happens in the 1800s, according to Avalanche Software, the decision comes as a way to contribute new content to the Wizarding World franchise, but also to have the player do their own story without the influence of Newt Scamander or Harry Potter.
Nevertheless, there’ll still be familiar elements in the game, as the Hogwarts campus, the forbidden forest, even Hogsmeade will be available to explore. But also discovering magic, making new friends, and being a hero.
Moira Squier, Narrative Lead of the game, explained that “players will get to experience what it was like for Harry starting at a new wizarding school and knowing no one at all. And, like Harry, the player’s character is a bit of a celebrity from the outset due to the fact that they are starting as a 5th-year and because they survived a—”. The answer cuts off as a way to avoid spoilers.
For the story, the player must investigate a rumored goblin rebellion led by a goblin named Ranrok, explaining that there was an “uneasy alliance” between the goblins and dark wizards.
The villains of the story
Ranrok is a goblin that is somewhat blinded by his dislike of wizards, but allies with the wizard Victor Rookwood as a way to get the magic that wizards have prohibited for goblins, and even tried to hide (even from themselves).
To unearth the mysteries behind ancient magic and stop Ranrok’s rebellion, the player will have the help of a friend and mentor: Professor Eleazar Fig.
He’s only one of the characters that have been revealed and will be a part of the player’s journey because a characteristic of Hogwarts is their willingness to help or become a distraction. Avalanche teased that there’s a possibility to see familiar names, “like a Weasley or two”.
Gameplay details
With professors and classmates, the player will be able to gain new spells and abilities to use in combat and puzzles throughout the story. Because there’s a variety of them, there are a variety of spells that provide different ways to approach combat.
Each player will be able to choose different techniques, with some of them will be required to counter certain strengths and to take advantage of weaknesses. All of the spells have different levels of difficulty, with players choosing what they find most enjoyable.
Plants and potions are also tools that can be used in combat, with Wiggenweld potions for healing and Mandrake seedling to incapacitate enemies with its cry. More recipes for potions and magical plants will be available the more you learn at Hogwarts.
Hogwarts Legacy is planned for launch this holiday season for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, and we can’t wait to play it.
