I have zero interest in Harry Potter, but Hogwarts Legacy has me under its spell
Date:
Fri, 18 Mar 2022 11:43:54 +0000
Description:
Hogwarts Legacy looks like a magical experience for both hardcore and lapsed fans of Harry Potter.
FULL STORY ======================================================================
Hogwarts Legacy must have cast an enchantment spell on me during Sonys State of Play event because Im utterly spellbound by how good it looks.
My interest in Harry Potter petered out shortly after the release of the
third book, The Prisoner of Azkaban. Its not because I didnt like the books,
I place the blame solely on the shoulders of the film adaptations. The Harry Potter in my head was usurped by the bad acting of a young Daniel Radcliffe and co. and Ive never been able to shift their portrayals since.
So I didnt expect to have anything but a passing interest in Hogwarts Legacy but I was drawn in by its richly-detailed world, the magical combat
mechanics, and RPG systems on show. The State of Play lifted the
petrification curse that hit my heart many years ago. Massive muggle (Image credit: Warner Bros. Interactive)
Hogwarts Legacy is the reinvigoration tonic that Ive been waiting for. Im excited to rediscover what has always been a fascinating wizarding world, and one that has never been presented so intricately before. From exploring the labyrinthine halls of Hogwarts itself with all its secret nooks and crannies to hopping on a broom and soaring through the sky, Hogwarts Legacy is so densely populated with things to do I can only imagine how excited diehard Potter fans must be.
Even the games combat, an area that I was sure would be a stumbling block, appears to be slick, engaging, and as youd probably expect rather magical. You can slam enemies into the ground repeatedly like something out of a cartoon sketch, brew stat-enhancing potions to deliver more damage, burn foes to a cinder with scorching fire attacks, and unleash a firework display of spells from your wand like its Chinese New Year. Its quite the spectacle.
I was also surprised to hear that you can actually kill people in Hogwarts Legacy. The Killing Curse spell is included in the game, which isn't
something I expected in a franchise thats as family-friendly as Harry Potter. Im not a sadist or anything its not like Im desperate to shank Bowser with a star in the next Super Mario game but knowing the developer Avalanche Software isnt afraid to lean into the darker side of the source material has me intrigued. Youre a wizard, Adam (Image credit: Warner Bros. Interactive)
Crucially, though, Harry and the rest of his other affluent child-star actors are nowhere to be seen in Hogwarts Legacy. Its a clean break from the films and books in many respects, as the game is set in the late 1800s and features a unique story that doesnt require any past knowledge to take part.
Hogwarts Legacy also lets you create your own wizard, an important step that will let you immerse yourself in the world, and you can define your combat style by choosing what talents and skills to unlock. That alone is a huge boon, and judging by the gameplay trailer we saw, your created character wont look out of place among the rest of the games cast.
Perhaps Hogwarts Legacys greatest strength, however, is just how dense and detailed the world is. There are magical beasts to find, mystical threats to combat, secret areas to discover, and even dynamic seasons to mark the changing season of the school year as you potter around Hogwarts grounds. Its staggering how much content Avalanche Software has packed into the game theres more to consume here than what youd find in Hogwarts Great Hall during dinner and nothing looked out of place or needlessly shoed in. I was Ron (Image credit: Warner Bros. Interactive)
Hogwarts Legacy still has a lot to prove: a carefully put-together trailer isnt indicative of the final game, but its undeniably full of promise. Im still taken aback by how polished everything appeared, and it definitely
looks like a game that will be best enjoyed with all the bells and whistles present on PS5 and Xbox Series X .
Like your character in Hogwarts Legacy, who joins the wizarding school at an older age, this muggle has some catching up to do when it comes to Harry Potter. (I also really want to ride a Griffin.) How to watch the Harry Potter movies in order
======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/news/i-have-zero-interest-in-harry-potter-but-hogwar ts-legacy-has-me-under-its-spell/
--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)