Hogwarts Legacy Review-in-Progress – A Magical Ubisoft Adventure

Before we get started, I want to address a few things regarding Hogwarts Legacy. First, this is a review-in-progress (or was, if you read this when it hits full review) because four/five days is nowhere near enough time to play through such a massive game as a regular person would. Second, I like Harry Potter and am excited about this game. JK Rowling has views that rightfully put people off, and it’s a shame she’ll earn money from this, but hundreds of people have created this game. When it comes to horrible practices by companies, I often get told that I should separate the art from the artist; it’s impossible to do it entirely, but I can enjoy the work of Avalanche Software.

I can honestly say I’m enjoying it a hell of a lot. I’ve already put over 30 hours into Hogwarts Legacy because I like to review a game as I’d play it. If the developer throws in a lot of side quests, collectibles, and more, they want the player to go for them – so I am. I’m also reasonably well through the core story, so I can give a good impression immediately, with finishing touches needed if something crops up.

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, there will be a lot to like here. The simple ability to explore Hogwarts in all its labyrinthine glory is great, but making trips to Hogsmeade, the forbidden forest, and further afield is just as enjoyable. The world is full of collectables, too; many are simply pages for your field guide with some information on things you’ve seen or heard about in the Harry Potter world or created for this game. Others are cosmetics for your character or the room of requirement, which acts as your home away from home. Others can improve your ancient magic (more on this later) meter or let you increase your Alohomora level. The Merlin Trials increase how much gear you can hold, reducing the number of trips to Hogsmeade or a nearby hamlet.

What this does, though, is highlight the problem of a packed open-world game; time. Time is finite, and you want to pack as much enjoyment as possible in what little time you have on this wasting ball of rock. The reason for the Ubisoft mention in the title? Bandit camps. I never thought it was possible to include magical bandit camps in a Harry Potter game, but I’ll be damned if the games industry doesn’t manage to disappoint me in even the smallest of ways. They’re everywhere too, so you’ll have killed more people than Voldewald and Grindelmort put together before you even finish your first astronomy lesson.

I’ve listed only a few things you’ll see icons for or collect. Add on astronomy tables; wild animals to collect, feed, and groom; Treasures; Special enemies to kill; Balloons to pop. I’d have to look back in the game to see if I’ve missed something. There are minigames, too, though I admit, these can be pretty enjoyable – especially summoners court. The lack of Quidditch is disappointing. You would expect a few other aspects, like some house-point system, but the devs have already crossed that off. Strangely, you will be given or deducted points, despite it having no impact on the game. It would have made a good deterrent from being caught sneaking or a bonus for doing well in other things.

While I’m on a few negatives, let me talk more time-wasting. The lockpicking minigame is the biggest waste of time I’ve ever encountered since almost everything in Red Dead Redemption 2 (I’m talking about the glacially slow opening of every single drawer, cupboard, and more, in the game). Most of the locks you pick don’t have any threat or time limit, so you cannot fail. Just spin one chamber at a time, wait until something slightly moves to indicate you’ve found the right place, and fine-tune. Repeat for the second. Even if Hogwarts Legacy lets you skip this when you find all the Moon Demiguises, it’s still been a waste of time. The least the game could do is, when you hit level two Alohomora, make level one locks automatically unlock, and so on.

I know that’s a bit nitpicky, so it’s probably a sign of what I like compared to what I dislike. Before I go onto more of what’s good and everything else, I should mention the audio is certainly a mixed bag. Music is fantastic, and I love hearing the signature Harry Potter tune when I find a page or do something else. Voice acting is the mixed bag here. I’ve had some characters change voices, from me talking about a quest they want me to do to me wanting to buy something. This isn’t a slight change; it’s a huge change, quite jarring. Other voice issues can also arise, with your character sounding like one voice actor did it but the pitch artificially altered. I heard a little of the computer here and there as my character spoke.

It’s nothing major, but the small things can add up, with the only other issues I want to raise being around performance when you use Lumos (essentially a flashlight). I’d say three-quarters of the time I use it, the game will start to slow down for ten to fifteen seconds as it chugs to keep up with the new light source. Annoying when you have to use Lumos for specific collectibles, merlin trials, and missions. Finally, standing behind a tree can defeat the AI for most creatures (not human enemies, though). I’ve beat trolls that should molest me in one hit through the art of tree-hiding.

Generally speaking, though, the performance of Hogwarts Legacy is good, and the combat is fun. I’ve moved between high and ultra settings on the PC, and the game runs smoothly. It looks great and works very well in combat, with the bright lights, embers of the fire, and more, adding to the impact of every spell you cast. Even in exploration, casting spells to break through a barrier, or to burn away cobwebs (or vines), has a great look to it. Most important to me, it all feels organic. Much of what you do in the game, from puzzles to combat, is simply about using the right tool for the job or using these tools at the right time in combat for an incredible effect.

In terms of story, Hogwarts Legacy also manages to capture the magical feel of Harry Potter. It does it successfully by being set a good century before the events of the novels. We’ll meet a few Weasleys, even a gaunt, to name a few. The only known characters from the other formats you’ll know are the ghosts of Hogwarts, with you crossing with Peeves, chatting with Nearly-Headless Nick (if you’re Gryffindor, I assume other houses will be different) and other longer-term fixtures. Fortunately, and as far as I am, the game manages to forge its path incredibly well, adding in a few canonical elements, such as ancient magic. I’m not at the end, so if it is canon, I’m curious how they explain away the lack of ancient magic in later stories.

On side quests, many of them are quick one-shots with little story elements. Some are reasonably strong, though arguably not on the level of The Witcher 3, but they still offer something and can make you feel a little for some of the side characters in the game. I don’t like how, at the end of quests, you can either complete as usual or essentially extort the quest-giver. I’ve never tried to squeeze them, demanding a reward, but I still get one anyway. There’s no morality system here in Hogwarts Legacy, but a few parts make me think one did exist once upon a time, much like house points.

However, this is where I’ll end my review in progress. Until I know the end of the story and what may happen when I complete it.

PC version in review. Copy provided by the publisher.