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Hogwarts Legacy: 5 Things You Should Know

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There isn't a wizard, witch, or Muggle in the world who's not looking forward to embracing a new academic year in the wondrous grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After being delayed several times and undergoing countless hours of work, Hogwarts Legacy is just about ready to launch, and the only thing left for Warner Bros. Games to provide are the final details to flesh out the world that it has spent the best part of four years trying to formulate.

It's certainly been a rocky road for Portkey Games and its associates these past few years, and it's no secret that the open world game has suffered from a myriad of issues along the way, either. Needless to say, the studio prevailed, and Hogwarts Legacy is finally ready to cross the t's and dot the i's for this coming February. But what do you, the soon-to-be student, need to know before being put under the sorting hat?

 

5. What Is Hogwarts Legacy?

Hogwarts Legacy Official Gameplay Trailer | gamescom ONL 2022

Hogwarts Legacy is an open world RPG that brings budding wizards and witches to a magical realm strewn with familiar boroughs and landmarks taken directly from J.K. Rowling's best-selling Harry Potter anthology. Unlike its source, however, Hogwarts Legacy is set during the 1800s, which of course predates both the books and its cinematic adaptations. That said, early previews have indeed showcased a number of recognizable elements, including common rooms, classrooms, and a myriad of paintings, chambers, and architectural designs.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry invites you to create your own wand-wielding wizard or witch and forge a legacy of your own. By enrolling in a multitude of classes and extracurricular activities, you will mold your avatar into one of the wizarding world's all-time greats. How you go about carving your story, of course, is entirely up to you.

 

4. Gameplay

Hogwarts Legacy will feature an open world setting that not only builds on the famous school of witchcraft and wizardry, but a plethora of other famous locales, including Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. As students, you will have the freedom to roam the ancient halls of Hogwarts, shop around for wizarding essentials in Diagon Alley, and even cash your gold in the goblin-led Gringotts bank.

Besides the familiar locations that Hogwarts Legacy will host, players can also expect in-depth character creation, a customizable dueling system, and a good-or-bad schematic that lets you forge your own alliances and become either kind-hearted wizards or witches, or evil ones who dare to defy the hierarchy. In Hogwarts Legacy, every opportunity you take and decision you make has its consequence — meaning, this sandbox RPG is yours to shape at will. Just who will you become at Hogwarts?

 

3. Legacy Characters & Lore

Seeing as Hogwarts Legacy is set during an undisclosed time during the 1800s, it comes as no surprise that the cast of Harry Potter won't be making an appearance at any point. That said, the ghosts of old and new will definitely find a place in the halls of Hogwarts. Specifically, Nearly Headless Nick, among other ghostly apparitions, will call the school home, and will serve as NPCs during your time as a fresh-faced student.

The grounds of Hogwarts will remain mostly the same. The Houses and common rooms will still be Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. It is believed, however, that the game will steer closer to J.K. Rowling's vision, as opposed to Warner Bros. cinematic alternative. Therefore, if you're keen on the books, then you'll definitely find an abundance of additional Easter eggs stashed away in Hogwarts Legacy. With that, you should definitely brush up on your literature before enrolling. Or don't, your call.

 

2. Story

Hogwarts Legacy is set around the late-1800s, a time when aspiring magic folk long to live the unwritten. As a late arrival fifth-year student at Hogwarts, you will become the wizard or witch you need to be in order to dismantle an unusual threat that dares to disrupt the wizarding world. With otherworldly powers that stretch far beyond what any tutor can teach you, it is you who must step up and protect the school and all its heritage.

“Your character is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart” the official blurb reads. “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.”

“Discover the feeling of living at Hogwarts as you make allies, battle Dark wizards, and ultimately decide the fate of the wizarding world. Your legacy is what you make of it.”

 

1. Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Hogwarts Legacy is set to release on February 10, 2022 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. At present, neither Warner Bros. or Portkey Games have confirmed whether or not the game will launch on Xbox Game Pass, Game Pass Ultimate, PlayStation Plus Extra, or PlayStation Plus Premium. This is subject to change, of course, though seeing as this is one of the most anticipated games of 2023, a day-one release seems highly unlikely.

You can pre-order Hogwarts Legacy in a multitude of editions. Specifically, three editions: Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Collector's Edition. Here's what you'll receive in each version:

 

Standard Edition — $59.99

  • Hogwarts Legacy (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC)

Deluxe Edition — $69.99

  • Hogwarts Legacy (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC)
  • Dark Arts Pack (Dark Arts Cosmetic Set, Thestral Mount, Dark Arts Battle Arena)
  • Dark Arts Garrison Hat
  • 3-Day Early Access

Collector's Edition — $289.99

  • Hogwarts Legacy (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC)
  • Steel Case
  • Floating Wand (Life-Size), with Book Base
  • Dark Arts Pack (Dark Arts Cosmetic Set, Thestral Mount, Dark Arts Battle Arena)
  • Dark Arts Garrison Hat
  • Kelpie Robe
  • 3-Day Early Access

You can pre-order Hogwarts Legacy at any major retail outlet, or via the official game handle here. For more updates on the wizarding world, you can follow the social handle here.

 

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up Hogwarts Legacy next February? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

Jord is acting Team Leader at gaming.net. If he isn't blabbering on in his daily listicles, then he's probably out writing fantasy novels or scraping Game Pass of all its slept on indies.