Hogwarts Legacy is a 2023 action role-playing game developed by Avalanche Software and published under Warner Bros.' Portkey Games label. Set a century before the events of the Harry Potter novels, it allows players to step into the shoes of a Hogwarts student uncovering an ancient magical secret.
Following Avalanche Software's acquisition by Warner Bros. in 2017, the game marked their first project unrelated to Disney. Announced in 2020 after development began in 2018, the game faced some delays before its release across platforms in 2023. Despite controversy surrounding creator J.K. Rowling, it achieved record-breaking success during early access and its subsequent launch.
Players take on a fully customizable character, learning spells, brewing potions, and mastering combat within the iconic Hogwarts setting. The game incorporates various challenges, exploration opportunities, and character relationships, offering an engaging open-world experience. Unique quests and features, like house-specific common rooms and the customizable Room of Requirement, enhance gameplay. Players can also interact with magical creatures, explore iconic locations, and use brooms or Floo Powder for travel.
The game was praised for its faithful representation of the Wizarding World, combat system, and content variety. However, it received some criticism for lacking innovation in open-world design. Its commercial success was monumental, with over 30 million copies sold by October 2024, generating $1 billion in revenue. The game received numerous accolades, including Grammy and BAFTA nominations, with a sequel in development.
Hogwarts Legacy is set in the late 1800s, allowing players to explore iconic Wizarding World locations like Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade, and the Scottish Highlands. Players assume the role of a fifth-year student, voiced by Sebastian Croft or Amelia Gething, who possesses the power to control ancient magic. Their mission is to uncover the reasons behind this magic’s resurgence and protect the wizarding world from its misuse. Alongside a diverse cast of professors and students, players navigate magical trials and battles, facing antagonists like goblin leader Ranrok and dark wizard Victor Rookwood.
Set in a magical era untouched by the events of the Harry Potter series, the story introduces new characters while staying true to the Wizarding World. Key allies include Professor Eleazar Fig, students Natsai Onai, Poppy Sweeting, and Sebastian Sallow, and staff like Matilda Weasley and Phineas Nigellus Black. Players face threats from Ranrok’s goblin rebellion and Rookwood’s dark wizards, exploring a rich narrative that blends friendship, mystery, and conflict.
Developed by Avalanche Software using Unreal Engine 4, Hogwarts Legacy aimed to immerse players in a standalone narrative within the Wizarding World. The team recreated Hogwarts Castle with attention to detail, incorporating unique house common rooms and music. They prioritized player freedom, diverse characters, and trans-inclusive features. Artists utilized advanced technology to deliver stunning visuals, interactive environments, and smooth gameplay across platforms.
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