If you haven’t heard of Hogwarts Legacy by now, there’s a real chance you’ve been living under a rock. Or you’ve been hit with a particularly aggressive Obliviate. Either way, welcome back.
So, why am I writing a review of a game that basically everyone except Donald Trump has already weighed in on? Because I’m a Harry Potter nerd, that’s why. And because I only recently found the time to really play the game the way it deserves to be played. As in: sleep-deprived, snack-fueled, and obsessively completing every side quest.
But since finishing it in one go is taking longer than expected (curse you, adult responsibilities), I’ve decided to split this into multiple parts. Consider this a “First 100 Hours” review. Spoilers will be minimal, and I promise not to ruin any major plot points—unless you consider “goblin has a face” a spoiler.
🧙♂️ The Story: Before the Boy Who Lived, There Was… You
Hogwarts Legacy is set in the 1890s—about a century before Harry stumbles upon his Hogwarts letter. You play as a brand-new fifth-year student, which is a bit odd, but let’s be honest, it’s much easier to justify a 15-year-old fighting dark wizards than an eleven-year-old.
The opening is cinematic and smooth. You’re thrown right into the magical chaos, introduced to spells, combat, puzzles, and enough mystery to keep you hooked.
Once you arrive at Hogwarts (cue nostalgic sigh), the Sorting Hat does its thing. You even get a little mini quiz, though it politely lets you override the result—because what’s magic without free will?
The main story is a charming blend of mystery and magical mayhem. It’s not Game of Thrones levels of twisty, and you won’t be gasping at betrayals—but it’s solid. The bad guys are bad, the good guys are good, and you can see most story beats coming if you’ve consumed enough fantasy media. But it’s enjoyable nonetheless, and the worldbuilding makes it all worthwhile.
🕹️ Gameplay, Graphics & Glitches: Magic with a Side of Mild Irritation
I played on PC, and thanks to my not-so-magical setup, I couldn’t max out the graphics. Even so, the game looks gorgeous. Hogwarts and its surroundings are positively enchanting. Think “I wish I could live here” levels of immersive. You’ll recognize landmarks, ghosts, names, and ancestors from the books and movies. There’s fan service everywhere—and I loved every bit of it.
That said, there are bugs. Occasionally, during a cutscene, the camera would decide to focus lovingly on a wall instead of the character talking. Which is fine—if you’re a brick enthusiast.
Combat? Mostly fun. But let’s talk about the targeting system, aka my sworn enemy. Sometimes it’s sharp and intuitive, other times it aims at a butterfly when I’m clearly trying to incinerate a goblin. I played with a controller (yes, I know), and apparently that was a mistake. Still, the game just feels like it wants to be played on a controller—especially since it’s made for every console under the sun.
The puzzle design is where the game truly shines. These aren’t just “flip this switch” affairs—they’re magical, layered, and often require you to see things from a different angle. Literally. Bonus points for that.
🏰 Hogwarts: Beautiful, Massive, and Kind of a Hoarder’s Nightmare
Exploring Hogwarts is a delight. There are dozens (maybe hundreds?) of secrets, references, and hidden rooms. But be warned: if you’re the type who must 100% a game before finishing the main story, you might hit a wall—just like I did.
The game caps your level at 40, and you can’t get the final talent point unless you finish the main quest. Which kind of ruins my favorite postgame routine: beating the final boss as an overleveled completionist god. Also, one final side quest only unlocks after the main story, so don’t waste hours looking for it like I did.
And the puzzles? Some are clever. Some are frustrating. Some are so stupidly obvious in hindsight that I almost gave myself a concussion from a facepalm. Case in point: those eyeball chests. You’ll know the ones.
⚔️ Difficulty, Inventory, and Why the Final Boss Deserves a Hug
I played on the hardest difficulty because I like pain. The early hours were tough (mostly due to the aiming system), but once I got the hang of things, it got way too easy. Enemies scale to your level, but not well enough to keep up. By the end, I was annihilating everything with a casual flick of the wand.
And the final boss? Let’s just say I hope they’re doing okay emotionally, because they barely put up a fight. Plus, the game gives you absurdly powerful elixirs that turn you into a magical Terminator—so prep a few, and you’re golden.
Inventory? Two types: one unlimited (crafting, quest items), one tragically limited (gear). You start with 20 gear slots, which can be expanded to 40 by doing “Merlin’s Trials”—which are everywhere. I never really ran into issues because I sold junk regularly, but if you’re in a rush, expect to hit capacity a lot.
Oh, and a PSA for achievement hunters: once you complete the last trial, the remaining ones vanish from the map. Pro tip—zoom all the way out on the map to check region-by-region what you’re missing. You’re welcome.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan, this game is basically a dream come true. It’s like being handed your own wand, your own common room, and told, “Go nuts.” The flaws? Real. But forgivable. For fans, it’s an immersive magical adventure. For casual RPG players, it’s a fun, slightly clunky, but very pretty ride.
Me? I’ve already started a second playthrough. (Ravenclaw this time. Yes, I’m that kind of person.)
Overall Score:
🪄 Harry Potter fans: 9/10
🕹️ Casual RPG players: 7/10
Bring on the sequel. Preferably with Quidditch.
