Hogwarts Legacy (2023) (Avalanche Software)
0Hogwarts Legacy is one of the few full-priced AAA titles I've bought on or near release date in the last two years, and that's not because I care much about Harry Potter or the so-called "Wizarding World" IP (not to mention its politically toxic creator). I'm way too old to have any particular nostalgic affinity for the source material, but Avalanche's large-scale action RPG has a wider appeal that should reach beyond its built-in fan base (which, given the not unreasonable boycott campaigns, it probably needed to have). In some ways the game reminds me of both Fable and Dragon's Dogma, and in its impressive attention to detail there's even a whiff of Red Red Redemption 2 about it.
I've always had a soft spot for games which give you a memorable world to explore and lose yourself in, and Hogwarts Legacy delivers that particular kind of escapism in spades. The graphics in general and material work in particular are consistently great, and the 19th century British fantasy setting is vividly realized in every nook and cranny of the world. Just exploring the enormous hub area and starting location of Hogwarts Castle can take many hours and involves uncovering a myriad of little secrets and collectibles, pursuing innumerable side quests and having all sorts of quirky interactions with magically animated objects. Outside the castle walls, a lush open world stretches in all directions and the landscape is dotted with interesting locales which are nearly as detailed as the dormitories, greenhouses and lecture halls of Hogwarts itself. It's a testament to the game's enthralling vistas that I haven't particularly felt the need to progress the story in order to unlock faster transportation methods of the broomstick variety.
Beyond the impeccable world building, Hogwarts Legacy includes a surprisingly engaging combat system which gets more and more involved with every addition to the player character's spellbook (think Fable, but much more fluid and enjoyable). There's a satisfying rhythm to the proceedings which means that sheer button mashing won't get you very far, and the skirmishes can frequently become quite hectic (especially against higher-level enemies, which you often stumble across in the wild outdoors).
Hogwarts Legacy certainly doesn't revolutionize the crowded field of open world action RPGs, but it's probably the most fun I've had with one of these games since Assassin's Creed Origins.
00:00 Level 12 Goblin Combat
02:30 Exploring Hogwarts
09:25 Dialogue
12:25 Azkaban Story Mission
16:35 Level 16 Inferius Combat
18:55 Exploring Forbidden Forest