Hogwarts Legacy Release Date, Trailer, And Gameplay - What We Know So Far
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"Harry Potter" is a franchise that needs no introduction. Thanks to its ubiquity and timelessness, the beloved, magical world of Hogwarts is still keeping fans engaged and intrigued today. After a long wait and a few delays, upcoming title "Hogwarts Legacy" is finally poised to please fans with a new take on the fantastical world Harry calls home.
Though there's a lot that's been revealed so far for "Hogwarts Legacy," the game has also been subject to an uproar due to some anti-women views shared by its former lead designer online. Add to that author J.K. Rowling's controversial history anti-trans comments and there's a lot for the game to work against. That being said, the game's developer has resolved to include transgender character options, and the lead designer has since stepped down since concerns about him surfaced.
While there are already a lot of factors impacting the potential success of "Hogwarts Legacy," it seems there are still plenty of opportunities for the game to win over fans. Here's all the details available so far for "Hogwarts Legacy," including the recently announced release date.
When is the release date for Hogwarts Legacy?
"Hogwarts Legacy" finally has a firm release date, but there's a bittersweet twist. The game was originally meant to release sometime during the 2022 holiday season, so the announcement of an official release date is also confirmation of a delay. This likely hits hard for those eagerly awaiting the upcoming title, as "Hogwarts Legacy" has already been delayed. Originally scheduled for a 2021 release, the previous delay pushed the game back to 2022.
That being said, fans won't have to wait too long from now to give "Hogwarts Legacy" a try, even after all of the delays. According to an update from the game's official Twitter account, fans eager to dive into Harry's world can look forward to getting started on Feb. 10, 2023. Apparently, the team needed more time to polish the game. It's also worth noting that the February 10 release date will apply for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The Nintendo Switch release date is currently TBD.
Is there a trailer for Hogwarts Legacy?
As of now, there are three main trailers for "Hogwarts Legacy" — the two-and-a-half minute reveal trailer, the 15-minute gameplay reveal from Sony's State of Play, and a minute-long next-gen immersion trailer.
The immersion trailer is the most recent of its kind, arriving in May 2022. It highlights countless familiar Hogwarts locations like the Great Hall, as well as the beautiful scenery from the perspective of a Hippogriff in flight. Plus, the trailer details how playing on the PS5 will impact the game through features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and 3D audio among others.
As for the gameplay reveal trailer from March 2022, it provides an in-depth walkthrough of what to expect, including character selection and getting sorted into a House, the player's expected class schedule, castle exploration complete with puzzle-solving challenges, spell-casting combat, skill progression, seasonal changes, creatures to take care of, and of course, a look into the mystery-driven plotline. Players can also catch a glimpse of familiar locations like the Room of Requirement and Hogsmeade.
Who is publishing and developing Hogwarts Legacy?
In the decades since J.K. Rowling published the first "Harry Potter" novel, the series has become a multi-billion dollar franchise with sales coming in from books, movies, games, merchandise, and tourist attractions all over the world. Warner Bros. is the production studio behind the "Harry Potter" films, and it will publish "Hogwarts Legacy" under its Portkey Games label, which handles all games set in the "Harry Potter" universe. Portkey has previously released four different mobile games: "Hogwarts Mystery," "Wizards Unite," "Puzzles & Spells," and "Magic Awakened."
Avalanche Software is developing "Hogwarts Legacy." Avalanche was famously the studio behind several Disney games, including "Disney Infinity," and the company briefly shut down when Disney ended the "Infinity" series in 2016. Luckily in 2017, Warner Bros. acquired Avalanche Software (per Game Developer). The developer set to work on the game "Cars 3: Driven to Win," then eventually shifted its focus over to "Hogwart Legacy."
How will gameplay work in Hogwarts Legacy?
Thanks to the trio of trailers explored above, there's a great deal of gameplay footage available. On top of that, the game's website elaborates on what to expect.
At its heart, "Hogwarts Legacy" is "an immersive, open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books." Set in the 1800s, players familiar with the fantasy world of Harry and his friends will recognize much of the lore, but few of the characters. The plot centers around the player's customizable character, described as "a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart."
Choice is the name of the game. Set in an open world, "Hogwarts Legacy" offers plenty of opportunities to traverse everywhere from the Forbidden Forest to secret locations in Hogwarts castle. Whether players focus on potion brewing, curing cursed creatures, spell-centric combat, making strategic allies, or all of the above, there won't be a shortage of options. And of course, it wouldn't be "Harry Potter" without an evil villain wreaking havoc, nor heroes out to save the day.
Judging by all the intel out so far, Feb. 10, 2023 will be a very special day indeed for "Hogwarts Legacy" hopefuls.
Will players be able to select their Hogwarts House?
"Hogwarts Legacy" gives "Harry Potter" fans the chance to live out their dreams as a student at the school. It's less of a role-playing game and more of a story-driven adventure, but there are plenty of ways for players to fully immerse themselves in a world that many of them have grown up loving. Back in September 2022, the official "Hogwarts Legacy" Twitter accounts made one of its most exciting announcements about letting players take full control of their experience.
The tweet revealed that gamers will be able to link their official Harry Potter Fan Club account to their game before they get started. On the Wizarding World site, "Harry Potter" fans are able to get sorted into a Hogwarts house and pick out their very own wand. Many fans were placed in one of the houses years ago, so the opportunity to bring that data into "Hogwarts Legacy" is beyond exciting for longtime fans.
Can you customize your Hogwarts Legacy character?
As exciting as it is to be able to bring your own house and wand into the "Hogwarts Legacy" game, none of that would be quite as impactful without a meaningful amount of character customization. Luckily for gamers, Avalanche Software has pulled out all the stops and created a system that allows for a truly breathtaking amount of player input when it comes to how characters look.
The developers showed off the customization options during a gameplay showcase in early November 2022. "Our goal with this is to make sure that for anyone who fantasized about bringing themselves to the school for the very first time, that they feel like they have the options in order to represent who they are and essentially bring themselves to Hogwarts," explained game director Alan Tew.
In addition to all the customization options at the outset of the game, players will have the opportunity to change up aspects of their character as they go along. The initial gameplay reveal showed that players will be able to get new gear from shops, chests, and via crafting with materials that they can find around the school and surrounding areas.
Can you play Quidditch?
Most great series get one or two iconic moments and a smattering of unforgettable details. "Harry Potter" is filled to the brim with them, which can make sinking into the fandom a wonderful experience. However, it also puts a particular challenge on the plate of game developers like Avalanche Software. While the devs might want to include everything that fans love about "Harry Potter," games have limitations and difficult decisions have to be made.
Some fans will be disappointed to learn that "Hogwarts Legacy" will not include playable Quidditch matches. When talking about the various bits of "Harry Potter" lore that Avalanche Software wasn't able to make a playable reality, game director Alan Tew said, "Every single time there was something we regretted because we couldn't include it, we also tried to figure out a way to make sure that it was included in the narrative."
Quidditch won't be in the game, but players will still get the opportunity to test their flying skills. Broomstick classes are offered at Hogwarts, and players who learn how to handle maneuvering through the air will have an easier time getting around the larger Wizard World that's explorable in the game. Anyone who truly needs to get their Quidditch fix can always go back and check out 2003's "Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup."
The Unforgivable Curses will be in the game
For the most part, "Hogwarts Legacy" moves through a tightly constructed narrative, but there are moments in the game when players will have the opportunity to influence different aspects of the story. Game director Alan Tew said, "Some of those things can affect things game-wide. Some of these affect characters's lives, the ending of the game." These different choices will also impact exactly what kind of witch or wizard the player's character will turn out to be.
Hogwarts teaches its students the magic they'll need to function in the Wizarding World and encourages students to use their spells to help make the world a better place. However, there are darker spells in "Harry Potter" lore. The Cruciatus Curse causes unimaginable pain. The Imperius Curse allows the caster to take full control of another being. The Killing Curse – Avada Kedavra – does exactly what you think. Together these are the Unforgivable Curses, and only the most wicked magic users cast them.
Any players who want to dabble in the darker side of the magical world will have their chance, though. On Twitter, the developers revealed that the Unforgivable Curses aren't just featured in the game, they're usable abilities that the player may potentially be able to access. Undoubtedly the Curses will be some of the most powerful spells in the game, but who's to say what the cost of using such immoral abilities will be?
Will Hogwarts Legacy have multiplayer?
Plenty of games with a focus on storytelling and role-playing manage to find a way to include some kind multiplayer component. As excited as "Harry Potter" fans are to get to explore Hogwarts and the Wizarding World for themselves in "Hogwarts Legacy," the entire experience might be made even better if their in-game classmates were controlled by their real-life friends. Unfortunately for gamers looking for a more social and collaborative experience, "Hogwarts Legacy" is going to launch as a strictly single-player game. The upside is that the developers have been able to focus all of their efforts into telling an engaging story filled with memorable characters who will help players along their journey to becoming a renowned spellcaster.
Fans haven't given up hoping for the chance to wander the halls of Hogwarts with their friends, however. Some are crossing their fingers that "Hogwarts Legacy" to follow the lead of games like "Ghost of Tsushima" by adding a multiplayer mode somewhere down the line.
PlayStation gamers get exclusive content
"Hogwarts Legacy" will, for the most part, meet gamers where they're at. Fans will have the option to dive into the game on PlayStation and Xbox consoles as well as their PCs on release, while Nintendo Switch players will get a crack at exploring the Wizard World for themselves a little further down the line. That's not to say, however, that all players are going to have the same experience regardless of what console they use.
PlayStation players are getting access to a plethora of exclusive content that begins with the Haunted Hogsmeade Shop questline. The quest will have players exploring the dark secrets of a vacant shop in the town just down the road from Hogwarts. If they play their cards right, players will be able to clear the shop of any dark forces and claim it for themselves, letting them sell unwanted gear and items back to the citizens of the town. On top of that, PlayStation players who pre-order the game will get access to the Felix Felicis potion, which will reveal all sorts of secrets on the Hogwarts grounds for the duration of one in-game day.
All of that content makes a compelling case for gamers to pick up "Hogwarts Legacy" on either the PS4 or PS5, but other gamers shouldn't worry about missing out on the content forever. A year after the game's release, the Haunted Hogsmeade Shop quest will be available for everyone to enjoy, regardless of what console they use.
Will there be any familiar characters in Hogwarts Legacy?
The professors of Hogwarts, the students, and the people who populate places like Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley have brought fans back to the series book after book and movie after movie. Of course, everyone wants to know if their favorite character from the series will make an appearance, or if we'll finally get some of the character origin stories we've always wanted.
The developers working on the game decided to prioritize bringing the world to life and telling an original story over including every familiar face from the "Harry Potter" books. The game is set in the 1800s, which means that most of the iconic characters from the series are yet to be born. However, there are some denizens of Hogwarts who've been around for a lot longer than that. There is, of course, the Sorting Hat, and the initial gameplay reveal videos gave players peeks at Nearly Headless Nick and the Fat Lady.
There are a ton of new characters
We've already talked about how many fan-favorite characters from the "Harry Potter" series will be absent from "Hogwarts Legacy." Some might see that as a detriment to the game, but setting the story in the past has allowed the creative team at Avalanche Software to come up with a whole new cast of characters, so getting to know the people of Hogwarts and the surrounding areas will be more than enough to keep Potterheads enthralled.
Avalanche has kept the details of most of the game's main characters a secret, but the studio has given a small hint of what at least one new character will be like. Sebastian Sallow is a Slytherin student with a particular interest in dark magic, and it seems he may become an important part of the main story because he got his own spotlight trailer back in August 2022.
"Hogwarts Legacy" doesn't just make its new characters a narrative focal point for the game. Many of them will have direct impacts on gameplay and the course of a playthrough. Companions will be a big part of the game, and various classmates will share their stories and skills with the player as the game progresses. From beginning to end, "Hogwarts Legacy" and its characters will be full of surprises for gamers.
Is J.K. Rowling involved in the game's production?
J.K. Rowling created the Wizarding World decades ago, and she's remained heavily involved in the franchise. For some, she's a beloved figure as the author of their favorite series, but for others, Rowling's history of controversial comments has damaged their love of "Harry Potter." In recent years, Rowling has become known for being loudly critical of trans rights and for aligning herself with public figures accused of transphobia. Rowling's inflammatory comments have even led "Harry Potter" actors like Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe to speak out against her.
Rowling's potential involvement in the game is one reason why fans are worried about "Hogwarts Legacy." The concerns are so widespread that Portkey Games addresses the issue in its FAQ page for "Hogwarts Legacy." Rowling herself didn't work on the game, but Portkey says the developers "have collaborated closely with her team on all aspects of the game to ensure it remains in line with the magical experiences fans expect.
For "Harry Potter" fans who disagree with Rowling's views but still love the world she created, a healthy debate rages around whether or not they can still buy and enjoy the game with a clear conscience. Ultimately every fan will have to make the decision for themselves, but Rowling's controversial views are sure to impact the reception of any Wizarding World project that's released from now on.
There are already two books about the game
The main "Harry Potter" book series laid the groundwork for every adaptation that's come since. Unsurprisingly, "Hogwarts Legacy" is filled with enough content and storytelling to fill multiple volumes, and that's exactly what Portkey Games has decided to do. There are two different books that will be released alongside the game, and both give players the opportunity to dig a little deeper into the details of the world of "Hogwarts Legacy."
For fans who want to know more about the nitty gritty of developing the game, there's "The Art and Making of Hogwarts Legacy." In addition to concept art and details about how certain design decisions were made, the book also includes interviews with the developers. The book releases on February 10, 2023, the same day as the game.
After players have had the chance to explore this virtual Hogwarts for themselves, they can dive into "The Official Game Guide," which releases on March 7, 2023. This book includes all the basic information about "Hogwarts Legacy" that a fan might want, but it will also give out exclusive hints to in-game mysteries. "The Official Game Guide" looks to be a great way for gamers to super-charge their playthrough after getting a little bit of experience under their belt.
There are some unique pre-order bonuses for the game
"Hogwarts Legacy" offers some exciting pre-order bonuses. A standard pre-order, which costs $60 on last gen consoles and PCs and $70 on new consoles, gives players access to the Onyx Hippogriff mount in-game, and of course, PlayStation players also get the Felix Felicis Potion. There is also a Deluxe Edition of the game, available for $10 on top of the base game's cost, as well as a Collector's Edition, available for an additional $230 on the base cost.
Avalanche Studios unboxed the Collector's Edition on the game's official YouTube channel. For starters, it includes all the bonuses offered by the Deluxe Edition – the Onyx Hippogriff, a Dark Arts cosmetic pack with an exclusive Thestral Mount, and access to the game 72 hours prior to the official release. On top of that, the Collector's Edition comes with a steel case for the game, a Kelpie Robe for your character, and a life-size Ancient Magic Wand that floats above a large magical book base when it's plugged into a power outlet.
The mix of in-game items, real-world collectibles, and early access to the game itself should be more than enough to entice any hardcore "Harry Potter" fan. Unlike the exclusive PlayStation Haunted Hogsmeade Shop quest, it looks like there won't be another opportunity for players to snag their pre-order Hippogriffs, Thestrals, and robes — but with or without a pre-order, "Hogwarts Legacy" promises to be a game that fans will remember for ages.