Legacy Of Hogwarts Release Date

Hogwarts Legacy: Gameplay features, story, and everything else we know

(Image credit: WB Games Avalanche)

The latest Hogwarts Legacy sneak peek has revealed even more than reasons to be excited about the open-earth RPG set in the Potterverse. This vacation season Hogwarts Legacy will give players the chance to nourish the magical academy and enjoy all the benefits of an education in potions, broom management, and herbology.

The game is prepare in the late 1800s, so you won't bump into Harry, Hermione, or Ron between classes. In fact, even Albus Dumbledore wasn't born until 1881, according to the lore, so the developers at Avalanche Software take the liberty to introduce a whole new cast of characters while staying truthful to the world. Taking place in the late 1800s, you lot won't run across the famous trio or even Dumbledore for that affair.

Hogwarts Legacy was first revealed at the September 2020's PS5 showcase, merely since then the game has faced controversy over the involvement of the volume series' original author JK Rowling and was delayed until tardily this year. While nosotros've already seen an update recently, at that place's ever the possibility of seeing Hogwarts Legacy at some stage during E3 2022, with more showcases being added to the E3 2022 schedule in contempo months.

Below, we've put together a listing of everything we know and then far about Hogwarts Legacy.

Hogwarts Legacy release appointment and platforms

While the Hogwarts Legacy release appointment hasn't been 100% confirmed, Warner Bros. Games has revealed that information technology's due to launch in "Vacation 2022".

It will launch on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC, and now also evidently on Nintendo Switch.

The game was originally set to launch in 2021, simply was then delayed into April 2022. Hopefully, the last filibuster until the stop of the year will be the final but we're even so waiting on a more specific appointment.

Hogwarts Legacy story

The Hogwarts Legacy story will see you playing equally a completely customizable grapheme who'due south joining the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry tardily every bit a fifth-twelvemonth pupil. It turns out you're also someone who holds the key to an "ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding globe autonomously". Y'all're capable of manipulating mysterious aboriginal magic and will demand to aid uncover why this forgotten magic has suddenly made a resurgence and the ones that are simultaneously trying to harness it.

This is prepare in the late 1800s, so many decades earlier the earth of Hogwarts that nosotros know. And then while Hogwarts Legacy isn't a direct adaptation of the books and films, it will be "anchored in Wizarding Globe lore" - aka you won't be seeing Harry, Ron, or Hermione in this adventure.

Along with living the life of a Hogwarts student, you'll also "embark on a dangerous journeying to uncover a hidden truth of the wizarding world", says Warner Bros. Games. There's a unsafe villain to exist quashed in this brand new, totally untold story, which has been created by developers Portkey Games and Avalanche.

"It's such an honor to work on such an amazing franchise and the team is dedicated to delivering an authentic Wizarding Globe experience that both Harry Potter and RPG fans will savor," said John Blackburn, studio general manager of Avalanche. "Hogwarts Legacy is so special because it allows players to immerse themselves in a new narrative that is filled with circuitous characters and, of course, magic."

Hogwarts Legacy gameplay features

We were treated to a xiv-minute Hogwarts Legacy gameplay walkthrough as part of a special March PlayStation State of Play, which outlined many of the game's systems and mechanics. You can watch that above, and we'll interruption out the key beats beneath.

This is an open up-world RPG, which will allow you lot explore Hogwarts and the surrounding areas - including Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forst - either on foot, by broom, and perhaps even by Hippogriff.

Game Managing director Alan Tew promised (opens in new tab) "the opportunities to feel hundreds of memorable moments, minor and large, that fans grew up with and know by heart: from being Sorted in the Great Hall, exploring a new hugger-mugger chamber in Hogwarts, or impersonating others with Polyjuice Potion; to protecting innocents from a dangerous troll, dodging fireballs from a Hungarian Horntail, or soaring into the sky on the dorsum of a friendly Hippogriff."

You'll be able to choose the Hogwarts house you're sorted into at the start of the game, so play as a fifth-yr pupil at Hogwarts, taking classes such equally Charms, Defense Against the Night Arts, Herbology, and Potions. In betwixt your studies, you'll be able to explore Hogwarts, which - as you'd hope - comes complete with its trademark secrets, enchantments, and other mysteries and puzzles.

The Room of Requirement will as well become a frequent haunt, as a kind of base where you'll exist able to catch upwardly with your studies away from the classrooms. You lot'll be given space to grow plants, brew potions, and fifty-fifty collect magical beasts in fully customizable vivariums.

(Epitome credit: Warner Bros. )

"There are familiar haunts similar the Cracking Hall, clocktower and hospital wing, just likewise completely new places like the bustling kitchens," explains environmental lead Boston Madsen. "Having felt like a educatee in these halls myself through the development of this game, I can honestly say there are still areas I run into that I didn't know about earlier."

Exterior of Hogwarts, there are plenty of mysteries to discover also, which will also really examination your magical abilities. You lot'll be working alongside Professor Figg to investigate a potential goblin rebellion.

You'll also want to explore Hogsmeade to visit the shops, and other vendors to find supplies, clothing, and other gear. The areas on the outskirts are also filled with puzzles and danger besides.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. )

In terms of combat, you'll be using a combination of spells and potions to take on your attackers. You'll need to master the Shield Spell, Stunning Charms to counterattack, and others to chain together powerful spell combinations and even Finishers to really obliterate your foes. There are dozens of spells to learn that will help you ascertain your own attack style also, so lots to get involved with earlier y'all even commencement to experiment with potions that can increment your power. You'll even be able to summon plants to help you lot in battle if that's your matter.

As this is an RPG, there are as well talents, upgrades, and skills that define your progressions as a grapheme. You lot can level up your abilities using skill points you'll earn past conveying out various activities, and and so really dial into the type of witch or sorcerer you lot want to be. There's gear to be looted, crafted, and purchased likewise.

You won't be doing all of this lonely though, equally Hogwarts Legacy also has a range of educatee companions that you'll exist able to meet on your journey.

Volition at that place be Hogwarts Legacy microtransactions?

Hogwarts Legacy will not include microtransactions, it has been confirmed. In a tweet (opens in new tab), community manager Chandler Wood said: "We've seen this question coming up and want to set the record straight. There are no microtransactions in Hogwarts Legacy."

Is J.Yard. Rowling involved?

After J.K. Rowling fabricated transphobic comments, there's been a lot of concern surrounding whether the author has whatever involvement in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy. Warner Bros. Games states in the FAQ that "J.Yard. Rowling is not directly involved in the cosmos of the game, all the same, her extraordinary torso of writing is the foundation of all projects in the Wizarding World. This is not a new story from J.K. Rowling."

Although she is not involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy, GamesRadar+ acknowledges the role of J.K. Rowling in the creation of the Wizarding World, as well as her publicly-stated, harmful views regarding the rights of transgender people. If you'd similar to offer your support to the communities affected past Rowling's rhetoric, consider donating to the National Center for Transgender Equality (opens in new tab) in the The states, or Mermaids (opens in new tab) in the UK.

Sam Loveridge is the Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar, and joined the team in Baronial 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar subsequently working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for over 7 years, and for GamesRadar, she is in charge of reviews, all-time lists, and the overall running of the site and its staff. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-earth RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles!