Video Game Review - Hogwarts Legacy

 

I guess I should address the controversy that has surrounded this game before we go into it. I personally do not agree with J.K. Rowling's views on people who are transgender. While everyone is of course entitled to their opinion, everyone should be allowed to accept who they are and what they identify as, no matter what others say. We live in a much changed world now than ever before, so if a person really has an issue with transgender people, keep it to yourself! Don't use Twitter to express those feelings, especially if you want to keep people invested in your work. And I will say that I'm glad the developers of this game, chose to have a transgender character in it, which kind of tells me that not everyone is in agreement with Rowling. As for the antisemitic tropes (especially where the game is set), maybe it was a bad move for the developers to choose that time period over others. But without giving too much away, its not as bad as everybody made out. I'm playing this only to experience a Harry Potter like game again because it's been far too long. Hogwarts Mystery is fine and all, but not quite the same and whenever a game gets controversy, I'll be wanting to play it more just to see what the fuss is all about. I am a fan, don't get me wrong, and I am with you all on J.K. Rowling's views and how the game was made out to have you, the player, suppress the Goblin Rebellion which is a big deal. Get that all completely, I'm just wanting to play this and judge it for what it is rather than let controversy decide that. Let's take a look and see if the franchise still has magic left in it:

We are in the late 1800s, the player character (voiced by either Sebastian Croft or Amelia Gething) is starting Hogwarts in the most unusual way; as a fifth year. A lot of catching up this student has to do as well as learning ancient magic, just as a new threat to the wizarding world emerges from the shadows. So much of the game is set in and around a vastly different Hogwarts. I say different because the sets and designs we were used to seeing in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, are instead replaced with something a bit different, but still obvious to figure out what it all is. Granted, this is set in the late 1800s, so chances are the castle went through radical changes before getting to the timelines of the films. The castle still looks the same on the outside, Potions class is the same looking and more still look like they did in the films. You also get to explore the surrounding area of Hogwarts which includes the all wizarding village of Hogsmeade, the entirety of the Forbidden Forest and the countryside of the Highlands which is full of runes to explore, chests to find, a field guide to fill up and many side quests which although repetitive for some, actually do challenge you a fair bit. Kind of like the old Harry Potter tie in games, all the spells you learn (except for the "essential" ones like Revelio) can be assigned to a button on your controller of choice, most being helpful for solving puzzles. Others for combat, which is pretty standard combat, but easy to manage all the same. Music is always changing dependent on the house you get sorted in with each house having, of course, its own common room and way to get in. As well as fellow students to interact with, but you are given some companions too. All characters you play as, can be customizable and as you play, you will eventually find and use more powerful gear like most games like this, tend to go by. There is level progression in the game which, over time, can be used to upgrade talents, spells and abilities. Acquired by gaining EXP like most RPG games by simply playing the game. Unlike Hogwarts Mystery, Legacy has the house points play a part in the story, but the actions of the player, do not affect said points from being gained. Eventually, you will be able to access the Room of Requirement and customize it to your heart's content. As well as riding on both broomsticks and magical beasts that you will be able to tame and care for.

You know, for all the controversy that it has received, Hogwarts Legacy is a well-developed game. Fully fleshed out despite taking place in one school year rather than seven which given the size that the game already is, it's probably a wise move the developers made there. Characters are all well-developed, but it is kind of a shame that not all the characters you come across in and out of Hogwarts, can be interacted with, even if they have nothing to give you like side quests, companionship or just being a shop of sorts. If you really want to hate the game because of the controversy, you can still buy it on PC and mod the heck out of it if you really despise its existence. But don't suddenly decide to boycott it until you have at least given it the benefit of a doubt. Plus, if you are part of the official Harry Potter Fan Club, there is some integration with the accounts there. 8/10