Hogwarts Legacy
7.40
Storyline
7.0/10
As a newly enrolled student, you'll be sorted into one of the four houses; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin.
Amidst the bustling halls of Hogwarts and chaotic life of a student, you form an unlikely bond with Sebastian, a charismatic troublemaker with a knack for mischief. As your friendship deepens, you uncover a sinister presence lurking beneath the ancient school, threatening to unleash chaos upon the wizarding world.
With the guidance of both current and past professors, you embark on a perilous journey to confront this malevolent force. Armed with your courage, wit, and the spells you've mastered, you stand as the only hope to defeat the darkness that seeks to engulf Hogwarts and all who dwell within its walls.
Whilst enjoyable, we felt as though there was a "seen this all before" element to the storyline. It was predictable for most of the campaign with no overall mind blowing moments.
Feel and Mechanics
8.5/10
Hogwarts Legacy surprised us with its seamlessly integrated combat system, boasting a meticulously crafted spell wheel that empowers the player to wield magic with precision and flair. Engage in thrilling duels and confrontations with ease as you navigate the intuitive controls and unleash a diverse array of spells.
Exploring the [smallish] open world was smooth and easy through various travel options, from swift teleportation to broomstick flights.
It's fluid third-person perspective flowed nicely, made sense with the controller in hand and posed no headaches for the seasoned or beginner gamer.
Challenge and Entertainment
6.7/10
Given the vast and complex target audience of Harry Potter, Hogwarts Legacy found a nice middle ground when it came to challenging the player. By no means was this an overly difficult game, but the spell battles, side missions and exploration was engaging and bustling enough to kind of leave you wanting more.
The game will also expose you to the world of witchcraft and wizardry well, requiring you to master spells and potions, take to the skies with your broom, explore the castle and the forbidden forest.
Although, some of the exploration elements left a little to be desired. Listen to our podcast episode for more detail.
Build and Development
6.8/10
While the game's character development may leave something to be desired, with the protagonist exhibiting limited attachment or emotion to the storyline, the immersive world compensates with its captivating depth.
Gear acquisition is both visually stunning and delightfully rare, with the ability to don your latest kit for aesthetic purposes whilst not affecting the players stats. No skill tree or attribute building made for a rather mundane experience from a tactic and strategy perspective.
Loot and Extras
8.0/10
Loot takes center stage, offering a refreshing balance of relevance and simplicity. Each item serves a clear purpose without overwhelming the player, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable gameplay experience.
Additionally, the game treats players to charming surprises, like the thrill of collecting flying keys and uncovering secret rooms hidden throughout the castle. These cheeky extras add layers of excitement and satisfaction.