Sony’s recent State of Play event has treated us to a generous 14 minutes of official Hogwarts Legacy gameplay. Additionally, a few members of the team at Avalanche studios offered insight on what it took to faithfully recreate the Wizarding World we’ve come to know and love.
A player created avatar will take centre stage in place of the boy who lived. Players will begin their adventure by creating and customizing their very own wizard or witch.
The gameplay features plenty of RPG elements. Expect to craft potions, attend classes, grow plants, tend to magical creatures and defend yourself from both wizards and magical beast. Based on what was shown, the developers created an in-depth duelling and magic system. Players will be encouraged to combine and level up these skills to complete objectives any way they see fit.
Set in the 1800s, the game promises a true depiction of Hogwarts inspired by both film and literature. The team have combined creative license and delved deeper into the lore and mystery behind the ancient Wizarding World. Expect to traverse a highly detailed open world, visit the iconic Hogsmeade, face danger and peril in areas such as the Forbidden Forest. The school of Witchcraft and Wizardry while still familiar, will feature secrets only touched on in the books. Did I mention you can fly? Broomstick or Hippogriff? Though too early to tell it seems Avalanche studios appear to push the boundaries of an open world that encourages exploration.
“When it comes to the open world, we just knew it wasn’t going to be enough to just stare out of the windows of Hogwarts and wonder what it’s like out there. But the final questions fans ask is: What’s beyond the Forbidden Forest? What’s going to be beyond Hogsmeade? What’s beyond the Black Lake if I travel south? We just felt like we had to answer those questions” – Alan Tew, Game Director.
Initially announced to be available on Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X, you can expect to play Hogwarts Legacy this Holiday 2022. When the time comes, I’ll see you on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. All aboard the Hogwarts Express!
