Hogwarts Legacy will give players the chance to live out their dreams of being a Witch or Wizard at Hogwarts. So, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming magical experience along with its release date, platforms, and more.
Announced during Sony’s PS5 Showcase Event back in 2020, Hogwarts Legacy has garnered plenty of attention, both positive and negative. Nevertheless, the title has thousands of wannabe Witches and Wizards preparing for their time in Hogwarts and highly anticipating the game’s release.
With that in mind, we’ve put together everything you need to know about the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy game including its release date, all the trailers, the game’s features, and more.
Contents
- Hogwarts Legacy release date
- Hogwarts Legacy trailers
- Hogwarts Legacy plot
- Hogwarts Legacy features
- Hogwarts Legacy platforms
- Hogwarts Legacy editions
Is there a Hogwarts Legacy release date?
Hogwarts Legacy will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on February 10, 2023.
It will then arrive on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on April 4, 2023. Finally, the Nintendo Switch version will be launching on July 25, 2023.
This is due to delays and a focus on delivering “the best possible game experience across all platforms.”
Hogwarts Legacy trailers
So far, Portkey Games have shared the cinematic reveal trailer for Hogwarts Legacy, showcasing the game in all its 4K next-generation glory, and of course, the State of Play gameplay reveal.
Hogwarts itself is detailed to perfection, with its moving stairs, floating books, and instantly recognizable hallways — though fans should expect to see some differences, given the 100-year time leap between Hogwarts then and the castle as we know it.
Here’s the debut trailer for the game:
After a long time without anything truly concrete, fans had their fears and doubts put to bed after a full gameplay demonstration gave gamers a tasty, mouthwatering first proper look at the game.
Here’s the complete Sony State of Play Gameplay reveal for Hogwarts Legacy:
Next, the Gamescom opening event revealed a new, darker trailer for one of Hogwarts Legacy’s companion quest lines.
Here’s the Sebastian Sallow’s Dark Legacy trailer for Hogwarts Legacy:
The September PlayStation State of Play also showed some new footage of Hogwarts Legacy, including a tease at the sort of villains that players might expect to face.
Avalanche Software hosted its first extended Game Showcase which featured over 46 minutes of direct gameplay.
The showcase itself gave players an in-depth look at the character creator, a tour of certain parts of Hogwarts castle, and a look at the game’s combat system in action.
On December 14, 2022, Avalanche Software hosted its second Gameplay Showcase which featured 36 minutes of new gameplay.
This second showcase event focused on flight travel using a broom or flying mount, the depth and traversal of the open world, a combat deep-dive with the three Unforgivable curses, and how the Room of Requirement will work.
Most recently, on January 18, 2023, Hogwarts Legacy shared an official cinematic trailer detailing footage of the school, different spells, professors, creatures, and more. You can watch it below:
What is Hogwarts Legacy’s plot about?
The first thing to note about Hogwarts Legacy is that it’s not set in any time period that the Potter books or films have explored in the past. Instead, it takes us all the way back to the late 1800s, as detailed on the game’s official website.
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“Your character is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart,” the website reveals. “You have received a late acceptance to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and soon discover that you are no ordinary student: you possess an unusual ability to perceive and master Ancient Magic.”
As shown off in the full gameplay reveal, you’ll start off in your fifth year of Hogwarts as a latecomer and despite the presence of the sorting hat, you will get to choose your house. Alongside your conventional year of learning, your character will also have to deal with the threat of evil goblins and outsider wizards with bad intentions.
Given its time period, there will be no mention or appearance of Harry, Ron, Hermoine, or any other popular characters from the well-known books or films. So it really is time for a whole new adventure in the wizarding world of witchcraft and wizardry.
What do we know about Hogwarts Legacy features?
Hogwarts Legacy aims to provide players with a robust set of features, like crafting their character before jumping into a vast open world with many well-known locations and creatures.
Revealed by Bloomberg on March 3, 2021, Hogwarts Legacy will also allow for trans-inclusive characters to be created by players within the game.
Here are some of the things players can expect to do in Hogwarts Legacy.
Visit famous locations
Ever wanted to see the full extent of the Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw common room? Well, if you’re assigned to either of those respective houses then you’ll get to do so. Not only that, locations such as the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade Village will be included, along with other environments not considered or seen before in Harry Potter.
Create your own wizard or witch
Already, we’ve seen a ton of different faces, hairstyles, colors, and much more you can go through to create your perfect student. Customize your witch and wizard as they’ll be appearing in many cutscenes throughout the game.
The extended Gameplay Showcase showed off the depth of character customization, including a variety of preset characters, a plethora of complexion options, as well as a voice pitch slider. Players can choose between one of two set voices with varying pitches, alongside whether they want to be a ‘witch’ or ‘wizard.’
Engage with proper RPG Elements
Hogwarts Legacy features plenty of typical RPG qualities, meaning you’ll be leveling up, upgrading your spells and equipment, and generally improving your character as the game goes on.
With a morality system present as well, the story is yours to craft as you learn magical spells, tame magical beasts, and explore the iconic castle of Hogwarts.
Traverse on a broomstick
Players will be able to “master broom flight” and explore a wide range of settings flying high above in the sky. Hogwarts Legacy looks to be a ginormous proposition, meaning you’ll have plenty to uncover and secrets to find.
As stated in the Hogwarts Legacy FAQs, we know that “Quidditch is not playable in Hogwarts Legacy” although players will still be able to fly around the school grounds.
Learn as a student
Would it really be a year as a Hogwarts student unless you were taking part in the classes? Yes, classic teachings from Defence Against the Dark Arts and Herbology will be on the menu for players to take part in and learn. There will be tons of potions and spells for students to learn and master.
Game Director Alan Tew confirmed that the team didn’t take “the [simulation] route,” and said classes will be “very narrative based.” In each of the game’s main narrative chapters, students will have the opportunity to complete classes as part of the main story and sidequests.
Additionally, classes will be instrumental in furthering players’ repertoire of spells and abilities.
Take part in deep battles
Combat will be one of the game’s core features. With nasty goblins, bad wizards, and a variety of other hostile creatures, it’s imperative for players to adapt and learn how to handle various combat situations. After all, these Dark Wizards and Goblins will kill you if needed.
Players will have four combat-oriented spells they can equip at once, with the ability to use up to 16 spells at once eventually. Spells like Accio and Wingardium Leviosa will be invaluable when breaking through enemy defenses, while spells like Incendio will whittle down enemy health.
Next-Gen Immersion
Players can expect a series of immersion features reliant upon the PlayStation 5 hardware. Adaptive triggers allowing for multi-use L and R buttons standing out. As well as fun customization like the ability to change your controller’s color to match that of your Hogwarts house.
Hogwarts Legacy platforms: Is it PlayStation exclusive?
Despite some concerns that Hogwarts Legacy will be a PlayStation exclusive. the Harry Potter game will be a multi-platform release.
Hogwarts Legacy will be on most platforms for budding witches and wizards, including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch. As noted above, though, the Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo Switch release date will come later than on PC.
Hogwarts Legacy Editions
With two different editions available to grab before Hogwarts Legacy comes out, choosing one may be a challenge. Here’s everything they give you and what they are:
Hogwarts Legacy Digital Deluxe Edition
The Deluxe Edition was also announced at Gamescom. It contains many perks as well as early access. Check out all the bonuses below:
- 72 Hours Early Access
- Onyx Hippogriff Mount
- Dark Arts Garrison Hat
- Dark Arts Pack which includes: Thestral Mount, Dark Arts Cosmetic Set, Dark Arts Battle Arena
Hogwart’s Legacy Collectors Edition
The Collectors edition is more of a physical purchase rather than having online benefits, however, it does still have many in-game perks. Here’s what you get:
- 72 Hours Early Access
- Dark Arts Pack which includes: Thestral Mount, Dark Arts Cosmetic Set, Dark Arts Battle Arena
- Kelpie Robe
- Dark Arts Garrison Hat
- Physical Collectors Edition Box
- Physical Steel Case with the full game inside
- Physical Floating Wand with Book Base
We will be updating this page as soon as more information is released so be sure to come back soon. In the meantime, get prepared for Hogwarts Legacy using some of our handy guides:
Which classic Harry Potter characters are in Hogwarts Legacy? | Hogwarts Legacy PC Requirement | What is the Vivarium in Hogwarts Legacy? | Hogwarts Legacy Trophy list | Is Hogwarts Legacy coming to Xbox Game Pass? | How to get Thestral mount in Hogwarts Legacy | Hogwarts Legacy voice actors for all characters | All confirmed mounts in Hogwarts Legacy | PC requirements & specs for Hogwarts Legacy | Will Hogwarts Legacy be on Steam Deck? | How to play Hogwarts Legacy early | How to get sorted into your House & pick your wand in Hogwarts Legacy | All confirmed classes & professors in Hogwarts Legacy | Can you play Quidditch in Hogwarts Legacy?
