It’s been years since Harry Potter fans have had a proper video game to enjoy, but that’s all about to change with the release of Hogwarts Legacy.
Developed by Avalanche Software, Hogwarts Legacy is set during the late 1800’s in the Hogwarts castle we all know and love. It’s been recreated in loving detail, and players will be able to fully explore it. Hogwarts Legacy is an RPG, so you’ll be playing as your own Witch or Wizard as you attend classes to learn magic. Set over 100 years before the movies, you won’t be seeing much of Harry Potter here. This is a brand new story, seperate from the narrative of the original books.
When Is The Hogwarts Legacy Release Date?
We don’t yet know exactly when Hogwarts Legacywill release. The game was unveiled in 2020 with a release window slated for 2021. This was then pushed back to another vague window of 2022, that’s about as specific as we can get. Recent rumours have suggested that the project is further along than we think. This could mean that a release date is around the corner, and much sooner than we think.
In addition, it seems as though new gameplay and a release date announcement could be happening soon. A recent leak suggests that a Sony State of Play event could be happening in February. It’s highly suspected that Hogwarts Legacy could make an appearance there.
What Platforms Is Hogwarts Legacy On?
With such a stunning recreation of the Harry Potter world, we want this game to look its best. Hogwarts Legacy will release across the new-gen consoles – that’s PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
However, the magical RPG will also be releasing on last-gen consoles with the PS4 and Xbox One still supported. With new hardware still hard to come by, it’s great that as many people as possible will be able to play Hogwarts Legacy.
What is the Hogwarts Legacy story?
With only a smattering of trailer available to us, we’re fairly in the dark on the Hogwarts Legacy story. A short description casts Lumos though, as it reads:
“Your character is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. You have received a late acceptance to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and soon discover that you are no ordinary student: you possess an unusual ability to perceive and master Ancient Magic. Only you can decide if you will protect this secret for the good of all, or yield to the temptation of more sinister magic.”
It sounds like players will have narrative choices in Hogwarts Legacy, which will be exciting to explore. Maybe the game will require multiple playthroughs to see every outcome, just like Mass Effect? We can only hope.
What will the Hogwarts Legacy gameplay look like?
As for what you’ll actually be doing in Hogwarts Legacy, we can assume it’s everything to do with magic. Here’s another description from the official website:
“Now you can take control of the action and be at the center of your own adventure in the wizarding world. Embark on a journey through familiar and new locations as you explore and discover fantastic beasts, customize your character and craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents, and become the wizard you want to be.”
It sounds as though we’ll be engaging in everything the troublesome trio got up to in the Harry Potter films. Attending classes to learn spells and potion craft, of course. But also exploring the nearby areas and causing mischief. We’ve spotted parts of the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade in trailers. Who knows where else we’ll get to explore?
Is JK Rowling involved?
With JK Rowling’s recent and frequent transphobic comments, many fans might be wondering whether she’s involved in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy. Warner Bros confirmed in an online FAQ that “J.K. Rowling is not directly involved in the creation of the game, however, her extraordinary body of writing is the foundation of all projects in the Wizarding World. This is not a new story from J.K. Rowling.” That FAQ has since been taken down.
While Rowling might not have any direct involvement in Hogwarts Legacy, it’s likely that she will still receive royalties from the project. Kotaku asked Avalanche Studios whether this would be the case, but the studio declined to comment.
Despite Rowling’s transphobic reputation, it will be possible to create transgender characters in Hogwarts Unleashed. Players will be able to choose between ‘Witch’ or ‘Wizard’. This will determine their pronouns and which dormitory they are placed in. You can also choose between a masculine or feminine voice, regardless of the chosen body type.
Will you be playing Hogwarts Legacy? Let us know across our social channels.
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[Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios]