Hogwarts Legacy is the highly anticipated open-world wizard RPG set in the Harry Potter universe. The game was unveiled back in 2020 from Portkey Games and since then we’ve got a lot of amazing details. As well as a whole lot of gameplay reveals. Now we have a very clear picture of what’s going to happen in Hogwarts Legacy‘s wizarding world.

 

Hogwarts Legacy Setting

Hogwarts Legacy will take place in the late 19th century a world apart from the famous Harry Potter books. The older era offers a lot more creative freedom, without being burdened by the existing meta.

You’ll play as a student attending Hogwarts in late 1890, attending classes and learning magic alongside other students. “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,” the studio says. “Only you can decide if you will protect this secret for the good of all, or yield to the temptation of more sinister magic.”

Once you’ve created your character and selected your house, you’ll attend class and make new friends. Nurture those connections, and they’ll teach you abilities and act as companions on quests and adventures. During school hours, you’ll be learning and casting spells and charms, brewing potions, and attending a host of classes so you can graduate alongside your classmates. 

The new spells and abilities that you learn from your professors and fellow students will be useable in combat and in puzzles through the wider game world. The range of spells that you learn will allow for choice when it comes to combat styles. “Different techniques will be required to counter enemy strengths and weaknesses that should make every encounter feel engaging.”

 

The Story

There’s an original main story that runs through Hogwarts Legacy. According to a post on the PlayStation Blog, you will start at Hogwarts in your fifth year, coming to the school after surviving some kind of mysterious incident. Your character apparently has “ties to an ancient magic” which will “put you on a collision course with a goblin rebellion led by Ranrok, aided by his alliance with the Dark wizard Victor Rookwood, who both present formidable threats to the entire wizarding world.”

According to the post, Ranrok “has seen a glimmer of magic that wizardkind tried to hide – even from themselves – and he wants that power in particular. His worldview is skewed by his hatred of wizards, which makes his alliance with Victor Rookwood particularly tenuous. Once Ranrok gets what he wants, no one will be able to stop him and the wizarding world will be doomed.”

To unearth the mysteries behind the mysterious magic and stop Ranrok’s rebellion, you will have to work with Professor Eleazar Fig to figure out answers to your special abilities.

 

Hogwarts Legacy Gameplay

Hogwarts Legacy is an “immersive, open-world action RPG” where you’ll play a student attending the educational institute of Hogwarts. The gameplay trailer has shown that you’ll be attending classes, facing off against enemies and solving puzzles and learning spells.

Hogwarts has classes for you to attend like Herbology, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, or Potions. From what we’ve seen so far, some classes will involve interactive minigames.

“Players will also encounter missions and scenarios that will pose difficult choices and determine what they stand for,” says Portkey Games.

 

Hogwarts Legacy Combat

It sure looks like there’s going to be a lot of combat in Hogwarts Legacy. You may be just a student, but you’ll be battling magical creatures, duelling your classmates, and fighting against ne’er-do-well adult wizards too. 

You’ll learn all sorts of spells for combat and the gameplay reveal showed off quite a lot of them. Some spells can stun enemies, pull them towards you, or toss them in the air. Elemental spells can summon fire for an area of effect.

You will have other tools too, including special plants and animals. For example, screaming Mandrakes can be used to stun enemies. While other small plants can keep an enemy’s attention while you attack.

There’s also a stealth ystem, which we’ve seen used to sneak up on unsuspecting enemy wizards.

 

Companion Quests

Portkey Games has explained that certain students in the story have their own personal stories that you can be involved with. With them eventually being able to accompany you around the world and in combat. Here’s who we know about so far:

Natsai Onai: a Gryffindor and “a brave adventurer driven by the justice she seeks.”

Poppy Sweeting: a Hufflepuff who has “a kind heart and loves magical beasts.”

Sebastian Sallow: a Slytherin “unafraid of detention or breaking the rules.” In the trailer description for Sebastian Sallow, we’ll be presented with the decision to befriend and/or embrace the Dark Arts. As you uncover his family’s mystery through his companion quest line”. 

 

Locations in Hogwarts Legacy

There may not be familiar faces in Hogwarts Legacy due to the time period it’s set in, but expect to see some familiar places. Throughout your school year, there will be plenty of exploring to do in and out of the castle. 

Hogwarts Castle

“There are familiar haunts like the Great Hall, clocktower and hospital wing, but also completely new places like the bustling kitchens,” explains environmental lead Boston Madsen. “Having felt like a student in these halls myself through the development of this game. I can honestly say there are still areas I come across that I didn’t know about before.”

The Room of Requirement

The Room of Requirement appears to function as a sort of customisable base and crafting hub for your student. You’ll be given space to grow plants, brew potions, and even collect magical beasts in fully customizable vivariums. 

Hogsmeade

The nearby village of Hogsmeade seems like it’s going to be prominent. Parts of the story will take place there, as will buying potion ingredients and outfits for your character.

Forbidden Forest

From the reveal trailer, we can spot the Forbidden Forest.

 

When Will Hogwarts Legacy Release?

Hogwarts Legacy will release on February 10, 2023.

Hogwarts Legacy has been delayed twice from 2021 and most recently from the holiday season of 2022. “The team is excited for you to play, but we need a little more time to deliver the best possible game experience,” Portkey Games said on the Hogwarts Legacy Twitter while announcing the latest delay. Now it will officially be coming in the first quarter of 2023.

Hogwarts Legacy will launch in February on the Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PS5, PS4 and PC – Steam. While the game is also set to release on Switch, it’s expected to arrive at a later date, with news of a launch date said to be coming “soon.”