After a long wait, Potterheads and video game fans finally have gotten treated to more information as well as a new look at the hotly anticipated Hogwarts Legacy roleplaying game with Sony’s State Of Play on their YouTube channel. The short event gave fans new details about the game and the longest look at the Wizarding World video game yet.
As expected, the State Of Play revealed a lot about the game, both surprises, and stuff that fans were expecting, all of which serve to get fans all the more excited. But what were the most interesting and promising revelations in the teaser?
Starting As A Fifth Year Student
The player will come to Hogwarts, choose their famous Hogwarts house – likely based on their own traits both good and bad – explore the dormitories, make friends amongst their house, and take all the magical classes such as potions and charms to hone their skills. However, they will not do so as a first-year.
Instead, the player will enter Hogwarts as a fifth year, far behind everyone else as far as magical education goes. There is a side curriculum with missions and challenges to complete in order to catch up to other students, alongside the main classes, of course. There also seems to be mysterious reasons for entering Hogwarts so late that will likely become abundantly clear as the story goes on.
Mysteries Of Ancient Magic
Mysteries surrounding the main character’s story and identity are not the only mystery in the game, however. The State Of Play revealed that the player has the ability to manipulate powerful ancient magic and must uncover the reasons for its return.
The player will be joined by Professor Figg in figuring out who is trying to utilize the magic and for what purpose. This looks to be a key part of the story, not just in the game’s narrative overall, but in the story of the playable character as they fight for the fate of the Wizarding World.
Ranrok
The teaser video revealed to audiences the central antagonist of the game; a Goblin named Ranrok, who seems to be at the forefront of a highly rumored Goblin rebellion. Whether he reaches the level of evil held by Voldemort or even Grindelwald will be interesting to see.
Alongside Ranrok, there will be dark witches and wizards fighting the player. Some creatures and beings have been manipulated by dark magic – seemingly the ancient magic at the heart of the story – that the player will have to defeat throughout the game. All of this gives fans a fair idea of the opposition that they can be expected to confront.
The Room Of Requirement
One of the most interesting surprises in the State Of Play was the reveal of the Room of Requirement. The iconic Hogwarts location is set to play a huge role in the player’s experience, which is very exciting.
This will allow players to catch up with their studies, allowing them to grow plants, brew potions, and make upgrades. The player can also care for magical beasts in this space, and it looks to be a thrilling stronghold for the player.
Exploration
A highly awaited and wonderful spoiler in the trailer was the confirmation of broomstick flying, which can be used to travel quickly across the large and dynamic map.
From Hogwarts and its various secrets, to Hogsmeade and its stores and stalls, to the miscellaneous beasts, chests, activities, and secrets in the surrounding areas of the castle, players will find themselves at every iconic location near the school. There will even be places in Hogwarts that the movies skipped over. The weather will change by the day and by the seasons, night and day will be reflected, and the map looks to have so much potential as the player meets and befriends NPCs while uncovering new details to the game. The game also promises vaults and dungeons that look to be either in the dark depths of Hogwarts or at places like Gringotts.
Combat & Spells
One of the best aspects of the teaser was the combat, which seems to truly capture the magic of the Wizarding World and appears to be a huge factor in what could make this game a dream come true for Potterheads.
Players can duel in and out of class and learn a variety of spells and charms seen in the movies and books that will help them craft a unique fighting style that gets them ready for all manner of opponents. From stunning spells to defensive maneuvers to a simple “Accio,” the player will learn and develop a variety of abilities with their wand, and from the look of the gameplay, it will be one of the most fun aspects of the entire game. On top of the use of the wand, though, players can utilize potions and plants, not least of all a Mandrake, to hurt their opponents or save their own life.
Companions & Friendships
The State Of Play made it clear that the player would not be alone in their journey. Just like in the Harry Potter franchise, friendships and family will be a huge part of the game as the player unravels the stories of many other characters.
They will be accompanied along the way by friends such as Poppy Sweeting and the Hous-elf Deek, as well as others from different Hogwarts houses, and the player looks to also befriend Professors too. On top of all them, magical creatures can be cared for and befriended, and random individuals from around the Hogwarts grounds such as vendors can be spoken to at length.
Talent System
Classes and experience will not just be used to progress the story of Hogwarts Legacy, but will accumulate talent points for the player for them to accrue skills and abilities to add to their arsenal.
The talent system in the game looks to be a lot of fun. Building off what is learned in the various classes and missions, players can improve their potions abilities, their skill with a wand, and more. Challenges around the world can earn the player experience, which can then be exchanged for these talent points.
A Darker Path
Near the end of the State Of Play, viewers are left with a teaser that being the hero and saving the Wizarding World against the dark magic threatening its peace, may not be the only path to go down. There may be a “darker path.”
The gameplay footage shows the playable character unleashing “Avada Kedavra” as the narrator talks about making choices that will take the player down a bad path. Being able to alter the morality and story of the character by becoming a dark witch or wizard would be an interesting aspect of the game, creating a slew of possibilities for the game and its replayability.
Holiday 2022
As phenomenal as all of the gameplay looked and as much as fans were excited about the information on the story, what many viewers tuned into the State Of Play to see was a release date, which they kind of got.
While there was not an exact date, the game is confirmed to be getting released in “Holiday 2022,” so around the end of the year. Players will now anxiously wait to create their character, choose their house, and explore all the wonders of Hogwarts like never before.
