The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a franchise that has captivated the hearts of millions, from the young to the young-at-heart. But what if you could actually be a part of that world, learn spells, fly on broomsticks, and uncover magical mysteries?
Well, that’s precisely what Hogwarts Legacy (Published by Warner Bros and developed by Avalanche Software) offers, and if you’re an Xbox owner, you’re in for a treat. Let’s see how you can get your hands on this magical video game and what to expect once you’re in.
Where Can You Buy Hogwarts Legacy for Xbox?
You can buy the game digitally from the Xbox store on your console or a physical copy from a brick-and-mortar store or an online retailer like Amazon with a separate physical version for Xbox One.
At the time of writing Hogwarts Legacy is not part of the Microsoft Game Pass subscription library, but there’s no reason why this popular game can’t feature there at some point in the future.
Compatibility: Which Xbox Do You Own?
Hogwarts Legacy is compatible with various Xbox consoles, including the Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X.
Remember that the Series S does not have a disc drive, so your only option would be the digital version of the game in that case.
If you’re interested in where else the game is available, you can get it on PC via Steam, on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and as of this writing, the Nintendo Switch version is still on the way somehow.
The Two Editions: Standard vs. Deluxe
Before you even think about hitting that “Buy” button, you must decide which edition of Hogwarts Legacy you want. There are two main editions: Standard and Deluxe. Here’s a quick rundown of what each offers.
Standard Edition:
- Game: Yep, you get the game. That’s a given.
- Onyx Hippogriff Mount: This was a preorder bonus, so you’ve missed out since we’re past the game’s release date.
- Felix Felicis Potion Recipe: Another pre order bonus. This potion reveals gear chests on the map for one in-game day.
- Haunted Hogsmeade Shop Quest: This is exclusive to PlayStation versions for the first year, so Xbox players must wait a bit for this.
Deluxe Edition:
- Everything in the Standard Edition: Yep, all of it.
- Dark Arts Arena: A combat arena challenge activity. Test your mettle against a variety of foes.
- Dark Arts Garrison Hat and Clothing: Cosmetic items offer additional customization options.
- 72 Hours of Early Access: Another pre order bonus, but a moot point now.
The Deluxe Edition is the way to go if you want the entire experience. The Dark Arts Arena alone is a compelling reason to opt for this version, offering a variety of combat challenges that will test your skills as a Witch or Wizard.
The Plot: A Non-Spoilery Peek
Hold onto your Sorting Hats, folks, because Hogwarts Legacy is taking us on a time-travelling escapade to the late 1800s. Forget Harry, Ron, and Hermione; this is your story. You’re not just another face in the Hogwarts crowd; you’re a fifth-year student with a destiny. You can control a mysterious ancient magic and hold the key to an “ancient secret” that could save the wizarding world or plunge it into chaos.
Enter Professor Eleazar Fig, your mentor for this magical journey. He’s not just any professor; he’s a wizard knee-deep in investigating a goblin rebellion. Under his guidance, you’ll delve into the reasons behind the resurgence of this ancient magic and those who seek to harness it for their dark purposes.
As you navigate through your fifth year, you’ll encounter a colorful cast of characters, from fellow students like Amit Thakkar and Everett Clopton to professors with their own agendas. But it’s not all fun and Quidditch (actually, there’s no Quidditch); dark forces are at play. You’ll have to face off against Ranrok, the leader of a goblin rebellion, and Victor Rookwood, who heads a group of dark wizards.
The game’s narrative is rich and branching, offering choices that will shape your destiny and the fate of the wizarding world. Will you use your unique powers for good, or will the dark arts tempt you? The choice is yours, and each decision you make will steer the story in new directions.
Gameplay: What to Expect
Hogwarts is an open-world RPG (well, to an extent) where you can fully live out your Wizarding School fantasies. As such, there’s a lot to the minute-to-minute gameplay, and although it’s easier to get pulled into side content compared to a game like Skyrim, there’s more to see and do than you’d expect. Let’s have a brief look at what the game entails.
Classes and Learning
One of the game’s most exciting aspects is the ability to attend classes at Hogwarts. From Potions to Defense Against the Dark Arts, you’ll experience magic’s academic side. Each class offers unique gameplay mechanics and contributes to your character’s growth.
Customize Your Witch or Wizard
The game also offers a variety of customization options. From your character’s appearance to their magical abilities, you have a say in how your magical journey unfolds. The Deluxe Edition even offers exclusive cosmetic items, adding another layer to your personalization options.
However, the game has no multiplayer features whatsoever, so these cosmetics are purely for your enjoyment or if you want to show off screenshots and clips to your friends.
Combat and Challenges
Let’s get down to what makes Hogwarts Legacy a spellbinding experience—the combat. While this isn’t exactly the next Dark Souls, we had our Wizard butts handed to us enough times not to take the game’s action too lightly.
You’re not limited to just a handful of spells. You’ll learn a variety of magical abilities in classes like Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts. And you’ll need these spells in combat. For instance, you can use the Cruciatus Curse on enemies. This is one of the Unforgivable Curses, so think carefully about whether you want to learn or cast the spell, since it can have some influence on dialogue in the game.
Exploration: A World Full of Wonders ( And Challenges)
The game features open-world gameplay, allowing you to explore Hogwarts and its surrounding areas. And it’s not a walk in the Forbidden Forest, or maybe it is? Different locations present various activities and enemies, some of which are locked behind progression milestones in the main plot. So, you’ll need to advance in the story to unlock new challenges.
Exploration is a big part of the game, and the Revelio spell acts as a scan tool to help you discover secrets and treasures. It’s like having a magical metal detector helping you find gear and other collectibles to aid you in combat. You’ll be using Revelio a lot, so much so that the spell has become a meme among game fans.
Once you’ve got your broom tuned up and get the hang of flying, travelling overland becomes a breeze, and much of your time with the game can be spent simply enjoying the freedom to fly around and look for anything interesting.
Magical Beasts and How to Fight Them
This world is full of dangers, including creatures corrupted by a magical force, witches and wizards, trolls, and even a possible mounting goblin rebellion led by Ranrok. Each enemy requires a different approach, making combat a dynamic experience.
However, not every magical critter you encounter in the game is an enemy. An entire subgame plays out in your room of requirement, where you can keep and take care of magical beasts in unique magical habitats. It’s like having your magic-based zoo. It’s not just for fun; take good care of your beasts, and they’ll drop resources you can use to craft items like potions.
Morality and Choices:
While the game doesn’t have a traditional morality system, your choices in quests and storylines will influence the witch or wizard you become. This adds a layer of complexity to combat, as your decisions could affect which spells and abilities you can use.
Strangely, there doesn’t seem to be any genuinely negative consequences for learning and using forbidden curses. However, as we mentioned, some conversations may play out differently if you prefer wizarding on the dark side.
A Note on Accessibility
Hogwarts Legacy has rolled out the red carpet for gamers of all abilities. For the visually impaired, there’s text-to-speech narration, colorblind modes, and high-contrast settings. Those with auditory needs will find customizable volume controls, subtitles, and an audio visualizer. Motor accessibility shines with options like adjustable aim modes, stick swaps, and gyro functionality on the PS5. Cognitive accessibility isn’t left behind either, with multiple difficulty options, tutorials, and in-game guidance.
The game also includes general quality-of-life features like tooltips for all settings and auto and manual save options. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the wizarding world, Hogwarts Legacy ensures that the magic is accessible to everyone.
For those with arachnophobia, the developers have included an arachnophobia mode that replaces the regular spider design with a more cartoonish look, even adding roller skates to their feet as a nod to the Harry Potter books.
Hogwarts On Series S Vs. X: What’s Different?
So, you’re all set to dive into the magical world of “Hogwarts Legacy,” but you’re stuck at the crossroads of console choices. Microsoft’s Xbox Series S or Series X? Let’s break down these two Xbox consoles’ performance and image quality details to help you decide where to play.
First off, let’s talk about graphics modes. The Xbox Series X version has five graphics modes: Quality, Ray-Tracing, Performance, Balanced, and Performance High Frame Rate.
The last two are exclusive treats for those with 120Hz displays. On the flip side, the Xbox Series S offers three modes: Quality, Performance, and Balanced, with the Balanced mode also being a 120Hz exclusive.
If ray tracing is your jam, you’ll want to lean towards the Xbox Series X. This mode applies RT on shadows and reflections, giving you that extra layer of realism. However, it does come at the cost of decreased draw distance and texture quality. The Series S, unfortunately, doesn’t support Ray-Tracing. So, if you’re after those crisp, lifelike graphics, the Series X has the upper hand.
Regarding the hustle and bustle of the wizarding world, the Series S lags a bit. It delivers a lower NPC density than the Series X, making the world feel less populated. It’s not a deal-breaker, but if you enjoy the little details, it’s something to consider.
Frame rate is where the Series X shines. While the frame rate is unlocked in all modes on the Series X and PS5, it’s generally higher on the Series X in all modes except Ray-Tracing. The Series S, however, doesn’t enjoy this luxury when running on a 120Hz display. So, if smooth gameplay is your priority, the Series X is your go-to.
All versions of Hogwarts Legacy have quirks, like stuttering issues inside the castle and occasional game suspensions in doorways. But when it comes to load times, neither Xbox console can beat the PS5, which delivers the fastest experience thanks to its blazingly fast SSD, but this doesn’t affect gameplay in any meaningful sense since the real-world difference isn’t pronounced.
How Does Hogwarts Legacy Run on Xbox One?
If you’re an Xbox One owner wondering if Hogwarts Legacy is worth picking up for last-gen, the answer is a resounding yes. Despite the game’s massive scope, it performs impressively well on the Xbox One, pulling around 40 FPS when uncapped. For a more consistent experience, playing at a capped 30 FPS is recommended.
While you won’t get the silky smooth 60 FPS performance of the next-gen consoles, the game still offers a magical experience that doesn’t feel like a downgrade unless you’re running it side-by-side with the current-gen versions for some reason.
However, there’s a minor hiccup—loading times. Expect around 50 seconds of waiting when entering and leaving Hogwarts Castle. But don’t let that deter you; fans’ consensus is that the game is surprisingly well-optimized for last-gen consoles. The delays in its release seem to have paid off, ensuring that your journey through the wizarding world will be smooth even on older hardware.
So, there you have it, muggles. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore Harry Potter fan, this breakdown should help you choose the right Xbox console for your Hogwarts Legacy adventure. Now, grab your wands, and let’s get spellcasting!