Hogwarts Legacy REVIEW

As a lifelong fan of the Harry Potter books, I was thrilled to dive into the highly anticipated Hogwarts Legacy on my Xbox Series S, and boy, did it deliver! This game truly captures the essence of the books I read as a kid and offers an immersive and enchanting experience that left me spellbound. And yes, there will be a few of those "magic" puns in this short review.

One of the first things that struck me was the colorful graphics! Everything looked pretty darn good on my Xbox Series S. Even though this is less powerful than the X or the Playstation 5, the detailed and intricately designed environments of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were brought to life with breathtaking visuals and vibrant colors. From the corridors of Hogwarts Castle to the hidden passages and secret rooms, every nook and cranny was filled with magic and wonder. There were times when stuttering framerates or some weird pop-in did happen but it wasn't super glaring enough to be a nuisance.

The gameplay itself was a spell of its own!. As a young wizard, I was able to attend classes, learn spells, brew potions, and interact with brand-new characters from the HP Universe. The freedom to explore the vast open world of Hogwarts and its surrounding areas was a joyous experience, as I stumbled upon hidden quests, encountered fantastical creatures, and uncovered ancient mysteries. I spent about the first 4-5 hours just roaming around and finding all the collectibles and puzzles. The RPG elements, such as customizing my character's appearance, leveling up skills, and choosing my house, made this even more exciting to me. It was a tiny bit of a drag that every time I got a new piece of clothing (which counts as armor) I had to change the visual of myself but this is only a minor complaint as you can edit the clothing to look like anything you have unlocked previously. But considering how many pieces of loot I found very early on, I was constantly switching from a Mad Eye Moody headpiece to my default hair. Some people may be okay with this, but it did often take me out of the experience of having to switch into my school garb every few minutes.

Fending off your enemies in "bubble" based combat got some getting used to and even though I wasn't thrilled at first that I HAD to hit certain enemies with certain combos, it actually grew on me and I found myself rolling and casting like a Dark Souls pro. These creatures had nothing on me! You get to learn all your favorite spells from the books and movies and cast them out in real-time. It's pretty enjoyable to Levioso a baddie into the air and blast them til they fall to the ground. Mixing and matching different combos is fun and you can always test them out on some training dummies to perfect (or should I say PREfect, get it?) your style.

The story of Hogwarts Legacy was captivating but honestly had me asking WAY too many questions at the start. It does tie itself together rather nicely but I would say you're pretty confused about your place and role in the world for the first 10 hours or more. As a student of Hogwarts, I embarked on a thrilling journey to uncover the truth behind a dark and dangerous threat that loomed over my journey as a fifth-year student. Along the way, I formed friendships, faced challenges, and even partook in a secret underground dueling fight club. The voice acting was decent, and the music was enchanting so it DOES make you feel like you're there. You can spend your time doing things a typical student in Hogwarts would do: Brewing potions, plating seeds, honing your skills, and no matter what you end up doing between quests, it all feels authentic.

What truly stood out for me in Hogwarts Legacy was the attention to detail and the reverence for the source material. The game was filled with references, Easter eggs, and nods to the Harry Potter books and films, which made it a joy for fans like me. I almost had the same excitement and little kid-like giggles that I did when I went to Universal and stood in line for 2 hours for a Butterbeer. The lore of the game was fleshed out, and the game introduced new characters and creatures that fit seamlessly into the magical universe. 

I say that Hogwarts Legacy is a magical adventure that exceeded my expectations. If you have read my other reviews, you'd know that I am truly skeptical of all things new that have a hint of hype surrounding them. It's a must-play for fans of the Harry Potter series and anyone who loves immersive RPGs with stunning graphics, engaging gameplay, and an enchanting story. This game has truly cast a spell on me, and I can't wait to continue my journey at Hogwarts! Accio, more gaming time!