The Harry Potter universe has captivated the hearts and imaginations of millions of fans worldwide for decades. The beloved franchise has expanded beyond the Harry Potter books and movies with a new video game set to release soon. Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world action RPG that promises a magical journey full of adventure, secrets, and spellbinding experiences.

This article will delve deeper into the game's features and explore what fans can expect from this much-anticipated release.

Live the Unwritten

Hogwarts Legacy is set in 1890-1891. That is roughly 100 years before the events of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; sadly, this means you won't see the old good familiar faces of Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Still, it means you will meet Phineas Nigellus Black, Sirius' ancestor.

Players take on the role of a transfer student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear apart the wizarding world. As a student, players will learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts. 

The immersive gameplay allows players to be the centers of their adventure and fully immerse themselves in the wizarding world. The open-world setting, engaging storyline, and opportunities for exploration and customization make the game a must-play for any Harry Potter fan.

Customize your character

Players can also customize their character's appearance and abilities, making their Hogwarts experience truly unique. The game will introduce new characters and creatures for players to discover and interact with, adding to the already rich Harry Potter universe.

Get sorted

Before MBTI became a boom, we based our personalities on Hogwarts houses.

One of the main elements for the player is to attend class, and to attend class; they will need to get sorted into one of the four iconic houses. Once the Sorting Hat figures you out, you can enjoy your unique Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin common room.

Cast Spells and Brew Potions

One of the most exciting aspects of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy is the ability to learn and cast spells. Players will have to master various magical skills such as growing plants, potion making, Transfiguration (the art of changing one thing into another), and tending to magical beasts along their journey. 

Brewing a potion is a special kind of liquid that you mix using plants or other ingredients so it can do something special, like make someone fall asleep, heal a wound faster than usual without needing stitches, or create some magical effect. Meanwhile, Transfiguration allows players to transform one object into another, such as turning a teapot into a rabbit.

Let's talk graphics.

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy's graphics are impressive and transport players to a magical world of adventure and wonder. The game's attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the gameplay, from the intricate designs of the Hogwarts castle to the magical creatures players will encounter.

Explore the wizarding world!

Players will explore Hogwarts, the forbidden forest, and its surrounding areas, interact with other characters, and complete various quests and missions. 

The game's open-world action RPG format allows players to roam freely around Hogwarts castle, the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade village, and the surrounding overland area. Players can also visit iconic locations such as Hogsmeade Village or Diagon Alley.

Exploring Hogsmeade Village is another highlight of the game. 

Hogsmeade is an all-wizarding village located near Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It's the only such village in Britain, so it serves as a place for students to go on weekends to get away from schoolwork and their professors. The village has a bustling main street with many shops, including Honeydukes Sweet Shop (which sells all kinds of sweets) and Zonko's Joke Shop (which sells magical pranks). 

There's also a pub called The Three Broomsticks where you can buy butterbeer--a nonalcoholic drink made with fermented butterscotch beer--and listen to live music while you enjoy your meal!

Soundtrack

The music for Hogwarts Legacy was created by a team of composers, including Peter Murray, J. Scott Rakozy, Chuck Myers, and Alexander Horowitz. 

Myers mentioned that the development of the soundtrack took nearly four years. While they took inspiration from the music of previous Harry Potter-related works by composer John Williams, they strived to create a unique sound. 

Murray and Rakozy discussed the challenges of creating a soundtrack that blended their original compositions with existing music from the Wizarding World films. One of the songs, "Overture to the Unwritten," was released before the entire soundtrack and featured a live recording of a 54-piece orchestra and choir. 

The soundtrack was released in January 2023 along with the game and is available digitally as two double albums with 75 tracks. It was also released on vinyl, mastered by James Plotkin, and distributed by Mondo.

You won't have to wait until September 1st for your Hogwarts letter.

Hogwarts Legacy is shaping into an exciting, immersive video game experience for franchise fans. The game's RPG format allows for a truly unique and personalized Hogwarts experience that fans will love. The ability to explore Hogwarts in the 18000s and its surrounding areas, learn spells, brew potions, and interact with iconic characters from the Harry Potter universe makes for a thrilling adventure. With impressive graphics and a magical soundtrack, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy promises to be a game that fans will not want to miss.