Hogwarts Legacy release date, gameplay, features revealed: everything you need to know

Hogwarts Legacy – the next open-world role-playing game set at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a century before the Harry Potter years – is set to launch later this year. Details of the upcoming game’s launch were shared during a PlayStation State of Play livestream event held on March 18. Hogwarts Legacy is set in the Wizarding World a century before the events of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter franchise and will be coming to PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X later this year.

During the PlayStation State of Play event which aired on March 17 at 2pm PT (3:30am IST March 18), developers Avalanche Software gave gamers a sneak peek at what to expect from Hogwarts Legacy, including introduction to the game and its many elements, from story to character creation. Last year, it was revealed that Hogwarts Legacy would allow transgender characters in the game. Players are introduced to different game settings and abilities, including various locations in Hogwarts like dungeons and kitchens, magical creatures, traveling on a broom, as well as new characters – such as the evil dwarf Ranrok, the powerful Professor Figg and others.

The developers showed off the character creation aspect of the game, as well as other parts of the game that will affect gameplay. These include sorting through houses, the ability to learn new skills and improve them (talent points), brewing handy potions, and growing magic plants. Players will have access to various courses at Hogwarts, which they will join as a fifth year student. The game will also feature the familiar Hogsmeade Village, where players can purchase ingredients, materials, and more.

Learning skills at Hogwarts will help a player investigate rumors of a growing goblin rebellion that threatens to affect the school’s security. The gameplay also shows sinister creatures corrupted by magic, goblins and dark wizards. The goblins are revealed to have allied themselves with dark wizards, but the gameplay trailer doesn’t reveal much more. Meanwhile, the trailer continues to show various spells such as explosive curses, stun spells, shield charms, and enchanted weapons. The fight will have to be adapted to the different weaknesses of the enemies to be effective.

During the livestream, players also saw the commands that could be used in the game, which was recorded on a PlayStation 5. The trailer shows off the ability to befriend various characters in the game, including students who have their own stories and characteristics. . The game will also feature the iconic Room of Requirement which will allow players to brew potions, sow and harvest plants, and upgrade their gear as they catch up with their classmates. The game will also feature dynamic weather which was featured during the trailer.

The game will release during the holiday season later this year. The popular game was first announced in September 2020 and slated for release in 2021, but has been delayed to 2022. Hogwarts Legacy is not associated with JK Rowling, the author of the titular Harry Potter series, who made several comments in 2020 considered transphobic, and criticized by many, including Harry Potter movie stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.

Hogwarts Legacy was released this year on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.