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SilverThreads
“Welcome to Hogwarts.”
This title by Avalanche Software, Portkey Games, Warner Brothers Games, and Wizarding World puts the player in an open-ended world of Hogwarts and beyond from the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling.
The game plays like a simulation of the wizarding world. Even so, it lacks considerable details that many aficionados of the books and movies will find conspicuous. In terms of the story, its plot turns out to be linear, with a continuous illusion of choice in almost every case. Little attention is paid to morality and the consequences of specific actions. Considering the pitfalls of the prequel concept, they may have done their best to avoid some retconning, but there is still a handful of mind-twisting results. As updates have rolled out since its release, bugs have been resolved, and new ones have taken their place. It is also a game of its time with some jarring social context with respect to historical reality. Even with the possibilities of magic in a world like ours making such things possible, the context of the wizarding world being a place where real issues of class and racism are dealt with and addressed is exemplary of how these things stand out rather than fit without question.
Even with these shortcomings, the immersion and atmosphere are undeniable. Advancement mechanics allow for fast-paced leveling that enables replay value. The world is dense with content, secrets, and in-world references to the source material it’s derived from. Updates include fixes for quality, playability, and individual difficulties, such as the arachnophobia update.
The player takes on the role of a new student to the eponymous wizarding school advanced to a fifth year. This allows for advanced magic though the story does not dwell on reasons for the curiosity. Set about a century before a young, scarred, bespectacled new wizard starts his first year, there is an imminent goblin conflict, and the player is cast into the fray in the opening cinematic. After some story participation and interface familiarization, a first day at school and the wizarding village Hogsmeade begins the adventure in the first couple hours of play. After that, the quests and the world opens up.
The setting includes the greater valley surrounding the school and the primary village dotted with smaller hamlets, numerous dangers, and hidden opportunities. An assortment of spells will be learned. Travel by broom and beast-back unlocks. New friends and acquaintances are met, and adventures are shared. The Room of Requirement plays a significant role, as well as allowing for personal flair with customization opportunities and resource generation.
Character customization is also advanced with clothing. Beyond choosing a look during character creation, the clothing system provides advantages of offensive and defensive strengths and special buff traits with not only later modification but also an array of different appearances that allow the player avatar to look as stylish or styleless as might be possible as more articles of clothing are found during play. These can be skinned onto whatever items are worn.
Everything learned can be turned to advantage. Not just new spells but potions and herbology can be applied to help you in conflict. There are also traits gained as levels are achieved. These can be applied to various skills to enhance abilities, powers, and buffs.
As you forge relationships, several storylines feed the main plot. A secret was hidden years ago. However, a threat has emerged that suggests that the secret and its consequences are about to spill into the wizarding world. The character is called on to deal with far more than any ordinary student. Your professors and friends provide support, advantages, and challenges, and even one will ask you whether you could follow them down a dark path for the best of reasons.
While playing Hogwarts Legacy, I’ve begun a greater project. My maps, notes, and lists are anchored there.
Hogwarts Legacy Maps and Checklists
Hogwarts Legacy
Avalanche Software
Warner Brothers Games
Portkey Games
Wizarding World
YouTube