Hogwarts Legacy is a role-playing game released for PC and consoles in 2023. The game is based on the universe established in the wildly popular Harry Potter novels, which became a multi-billion-dollar movie series and a massive cultural phenomenon. It’s also due to become an HBO series at the end of this year. Many know the story already: an orphaned boy is whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn how to use magic. That’s the really short version of it, anyway. However, the game isn’t based on any direct writings, but is rather a wholly original story set in the same world, just at a very different time.
The game received excellent reviews, especially from the fans. There are so many hidden references and Easter eggs that show just how much genuine love was poured into the project. The game can easily consume dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of your time with how much there is to see and do, and it allows players to explore their favourite wizarding school in a way that no other video game adaptation has allowed them to. Beyond being an enjoyable experience, the game also patched a massive hole in the original franchise, one that was sorely in need of mending.
What is ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ about?
Image via Warner Bros. Games
Hogwarts Legacy lets players control a custom character, a new student beginning their fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the early sequences of the game, players will customize their name and looks, be sorted into their house, and will even receive their very own wand, courtesy of Ollivander’s wand shop. The game is set in the Victorian Era, roughly a century before the main events of Harry Potter. Throughout the narrative, players attend classes, make friends, enroll in clubs, learn spells, and try to save the world from a new rising threat. The goblin Ranrok is leading a vicious rebellion against wizardkind, and it’s up to you to stop him and his nefarious allies.
Being an RPG, the game has loads of side quests tacked onto it as well. Many of these involve learning the Dark Arts, delving into forgotten tombs, protecting magical wildlife from poachers, brewing potions, and creating a personal space via the Room of Requirement. The story isn’t only set in Hogwarts; rather, it is set throughout the entire Hogsmeade valley, including the town of Hogsmeade and various other small hamlets and landmarks in the region. Some people didn’t like how the game felt a bit sparse and unpopulated with how huge the map was, but on the other hand, many fans appreciated how it encouraged exploration and discovery, and how there’s never a shortage of things to do. The vastness of its map is just one example of how the game improved on the setting of the original books and films, and how it only bettered the overall brand.
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WhichHogwarts HouseAre You?
Gryffindor · Slytherin · Hufflepuff · Ravenclaw
Four houses. One destiny. The Sorting Hat has considered thousands of students — now it’s your turn. Answer honestly and discover where you truly belong at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Gryffindor
Slytherin
Hufflepuff
Ravenclaw
PLACE THE HAT →
01
What quality do you value most in yourself?
Answer as honestly as you can — the Hat always knows.
ACourage — I act even when I’m afraid because what’s right matters more than what’s safe.
BAmbition — I know what I want and I have the drive and cunning to get there.
CLoyalty — I show up for the people I love no matter what it costs me.
DWisdom — I think before I act and I’m always hungry to understand more.
NEXT QUESTION →
The Harry Potter Franchise Previously Felt Too Contained, Despite Extensive Lore
Themain problem withHarry Potter is that everything felt much smaller-scale than it should have; simply put, the worldbuilding is not that great. For one, the books and movies feature a conflict called the Second Wizarding War, which is too broad a statement that implies there had never been wizarding wars in the world before, even though lore details magical individuals existing for thousands of years. It also seems to imply a larger, more global conflict when reality is that it was almost entirely confined to the UK and Ireland. The books frequently reference other places and feature international monsters and beasts but don’t physically take readers to any of these settings. The lore also talks about legendary figures like Merlin or dark wizard Ekrizdis yet only mentions them in passing. Lastly, it details extensive family lines from respected magical clans including the Blacks yet few of these people actually make an appearance.
Later on, the saga does introduce other magical schools like Durmstrang of Northern and Eastern Europe and Beauxbatons of Western and Central Europe but these places never make a physical appearance. TheFantastic Beasts movies go to New York City and reference North American magic school Ilvermorny which does help broaden world feel. Still,this Wizarding World feels much smaller than it should, almost like New York and UK are two completely separate universes. There is very little overlap between them save for maybe a couple characters and references. TheFantastic Beasts movies also added to universe’s backstory being set in roaring ’20s but much world isn’t mentioned to point that it almost feels nonexistent.The books also have a habit mentioning many magical creatures without actually showing them, somethingFantastic Beasts tried fix with decidedly uneven results.
‘Hogwarts Legacy’ Makes the Wizarding World Live Up to Its Name
Hogwarts Legacy makes Wizarding World feel expansive for first time franchise. There aren’t just British students in Hogwarts but exchange students too. For example one primary allies is Natsai Onai student who previously attended Ouagadou African wizarding academy Uganda. Natsai or Natty as players come know her talks bit about life Ouagadou where students don’t use traditional wands but rather their hands or bodies conjure magic. There are also students professors from South East Asia making Hogwarts feel like it’s actually connected broader Wizarding World.
The game also enriches world’s history lore through series flashbacks vision sequences players see how Hogwarts used be speak some previous professors some dating back Middle Ages. There are also hundreds collectible book pages find many detailing history items landmarks within castle valley.These fill gap Hogwarts’ history, which save its original founders almost entirely unknown now players can at least get idea what school used be like who used run place after founders.
Moreover many characters actually ancestors distant relations memorable characters novels movies headmaster castle Phineas Nigellus Black distant relation Sirius Black Phineas actually glimpsed<em>Harry Potter Order Phoenix</em>, as painting Dumbledore’s office He doesn’t speak so it’s great this game allowed players see what kind headmaster Phineas actually was Aside Professor Black Hogwarts headmistress red-headed good-natured Matilda Weasley ancestor modern Weasley family many know from books films.
There’s also Ominis Gaunt surprisingly well-intentioned Slytherin student who many will recognize ancestor Lord Voldemort himself Ominis even talks about family history how he directly related original co-founder Hogwarts Salazar Slytherin.The presence all these characters only deepens lore, making family history more coherent interesting Game also added whatFantastic Beasts started byincluding ton magical wildlife so players can see how they interact world behave making universe feel vibrant alive.
‘Hogwarts Legacy’ Makes What Books Movies Couldn’t
At end day,Hogwarts Legacy contributes so much Wizarding World many ways From its lore connections wildlife game makes established universe much deeper more compelling.Finally feels proper universe, with deep rich history wide-reaching influence actual life populating all hidden away non-magic folk.
More importantly,it finally fulfills Wizarding World’s potential.Hogwarts Legacy isn’t just fun game feels like unique story rather just extension already existing one It makes player feel Wizarding World just that main sequenceHarry Potter a small part This detail goes long way making both main series this stellar RPG feel much engrossing Especially now somewhat unnecessary remake coming it’seasy seeHogwarts Legacypath forward Potter saga.
Sarah Parker is a research analyst and content contributor with a strong interest in business strategy, organizational behavior, and social development. With a background in sociology and public policy, she focuses on exploring the intersection between research and real-world application. Sarah regularly contributes articles that bridge academic insights and practical relevance, aiming to foster critical thinking and innovation across sectors.
