The eagerly anticipated Harry Potter RPG is finally here! Brought to you by Portkey Games and Avalanche Software. A magical adventure set in the 1800s that sees you in control of a Hogwarts student: “who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart.” according to the official Hogwarts Legacy website.

Fans of the books and films alike will, at last, be able to live out their wildest wizarding dreams, as they wander the Hogwarts halls and venture into the forbidden forest. This comes almost 26 years since fans were first introduced to the wizarding world in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

The open-world single-player adventure is a visually striking experience and perfectly recreates the Hogwarts grounds. The inclusion of an immersive interior also adds to the game as a spectacle. New areas are always waiting to be found in a castle that feels endless in its possibilities. This includes four separate common rooms dependent on which house you see yourself sorted into.

As you learn to master your magical abilities an adventure reveals itself to you and you are tasked to deal with it to the best of your limited knowledge. Transferring to Hogwarts as a fifth year you start your journey catching up and soon see yourself thrown into the thick of things.

Wand combat is a key mechanic in the game that is expertly replicated and built upon, with combinations of spells and potions that can all be used in battle. Combat against various creatures and villains that oppose you in your journey lends itself to an enjoyable and challenging experience.

Unfortunately, fans will be missing out on any quidditch action as this is a mechanic left out of the game. However, flying all together still features as both a broomstick and a hippogriff can be used to traverse the skies around Hogwarts, all the way to Hogsmeade.

The game’s story features many different and diverse characters that expand on the pre-existing universe. The introduction to individuals related to characters that fans will be excited to recognise makes the game feel that much more real. It’s these little details that make the game that much more special and a pleasure to play through.

All in all, Hogwarts Legacy lets fans of the series and newcomers alike venture through the wizarding world freely, in an enormously ambitious way. This being something that many could only ever dream of is now a reality. The world feels truly magical and built with extreme care and dedication, expanding upon the dense level of history and lore within the wizarding world, to create a brand-new adventure.

Hogwarts Legacy is available across multiple platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and PC.

★★★★☆

Game Review: Hogwarts Legacy