Hogwarts Legacy: a magical adventure saved by its iconic franchise

Gameplay: Hogwarts Legacy hits the mark with its engaging and varied gameplay. Combat is dynamic and fun, with a clever spell system that allows players to customize and upgrade their arsenal. Exploring the sprawling grounds of Hogwarts and its surrounding areas is a delight, filled with secrets to uncover and beasts to tame. However, the game does fall into some open-world tropes, with a map that can feel oversaturated with icons and some repetitive activities.

Graphics: Visually, Hogwarts Legacy is a treat. The environments are beautifully rendered, with stunning attention to detail that truly brings the Wizarding World to life. Character models are also well-done, but it's the magical effects that really shine, with spells and potions creating dazzling displays. Unfortunately, performance issues and bugs can occasionally disrupt the immersion.

Story: The story in Hogwarts Legacy is engaging enough, filled with intrigue and drama that will keep players invested. The original characters are well-written, and the voice acting is top-notch. However, the narrative does rely heavily on the established lore of the Harry Potter universe. Without the strong IP, the story might feel a bit lacking in innovation.

Overall experience: Hogwarts Legacy is a good game overall, but it's clear that the Harry Potter franchise carries a lot of the weight. The game offers a fun and magical experience, but we would expect a lot more from a title without such a strong IP backing it up. The gameplay, graphics, and story all come together to create an enjoyable adventure, but it's the Wizarding World setting that truly elevates the experience.

Rating: 8/10

In conclusion, Hogwarts Legacy is a must-play for fans of the Harry Potter series, but those looking for a groundbreaking gaming experience might be left slightly disappointed. The game is a fantastic way to dive back into the Wizarding World, but it could have benefited from more innovation beyond its beloved source material.

Hogwarts Legacy is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.