Many fans around the world are already waiting for this video game: Hogwarts Legacy, one of the most ambitious fantasy action role-playing games of recent years, will be released in February 2023. The video game is being developed by US studio Avalanche Software and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is acting as publisher.
The video game is set in the Harry Potter universe, which originates from the fantasy book series by author J.K. Rowling and has become one of the most successful franchises over the past few years. In this article we summarize all the important information about Hogwarts Legacy.
The release: When will Hogwarts Legacy be released?
The action role-playing game in the Harry Potter universe will definitely be released on February 10, 2023 for the common gaming platforms after several postponements and according to the developer Avalanche Software. This was confirmed on the video game’s official Twitter channel, among others.
Below we list the currently confirmed release dates for each platform:
- PC, Xbox Series X/S and PS 5: February 10, 2023
- Xbox One and PS 4: April 04, 2023
- Nintendo Switch: July 25, 2023
These are the preload dates of Hogwarts Legacy
The fantasy video game in the Harry Potter universe takes up a relatively large amount of space on the hard drive, as with many other major releases. To accommodate especially the owners of the digital version of the game, the developer offers the possibility of a preload. On the Xbox Series X/S, the pre-download has already been available for a few days and for the PS5 version it will be possible after February 04, 2023. Deluxe Edition owners will be able to pre-download the game from February 05. For the Standard Edition, this will be possible from 08 February. The PC version can be downloaded from the Early Access phase or at the latest on the day of release on February 10.
For which platforms will Hogwarts Legacy be released?
The role-playing game Hogwarts Legacy will be released for the PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. In addition to the disc version, players of the computer version of the game can also pre-order it from the Steam Store or the Epic Games Store, or purchase it there in digital form upon release.
The age rating of the fantasy role-playing game
Some players, and especially their parents, are already asking themselves how many years old Hogwarts Legacy is suitable for. The USK rating was set at 12. This coincides with the classification of the portrayal in the Harry Potter films, which were also rated FSK 12 from Part 3 onwards. Only Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and HP and the Chamber of Secrets were rated FSK 6 at the time.
These are the system requirements of the fantasy game
The system requirements of Hogwarts Legacy have not been finalized yet, but they were already published on the game’s Steam page in August 2022. So we can be sure that these should not deviate much for the release at the beginning of 2023.
[Update: 14.01.2023] Meanwhile, the official system requirements have been announced by developer Avalanche Software. These differ little from the previously leaked requirements. We have updated the following information accordingly.
These are the minimum requirements:
- Operating system: Windows 10
- Processor: IIntel Core i5 6600 / AMD Ryzen 5 1400
- Working memory: 16.0 GB RAM
- Graphics card: Geforce GTX 960 (4GB) / Radeon RX 470 (4GB)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage space: 85 GB
- Additional notes: SSD (preferred, not a must), HDD support, 720p/30 FPS, low quality settings.
These are the recommended requirements:
- Operating system: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i7 8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- Working memory: 16.0 GB RAM
- Graphics card: Nvidia Geforce GTX 1080 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT / Intel Arc A770
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage space: 85 GB
- Additional specs: SSD hard drive, 1080p/60 FPS, high quality settings.
The available editions: Prices & (pre-order) contents
You can currently pre-order the Standard and Deluxe Editions of Hogwarts Legacy. Optionally, as an owner of the Standard Edition, you can purchase the Dark Arts Pack after release to receive Deluxe Edition content. Next to the respective platform, we list the price for pre-order and for release.
Standard Edition
- Cost: PC (€59.99) – Xbox Series X/S & PS5 (€74.99) – Xbox One & PS4 (€69.99) – Nintendo Switch (€59.99)
- Pre-order bonus: Onyx Hippogriff (a mount)
Deluxe Edition
- Cost: PC (€69.99) – Xbox Series X/S & PS5 (€87.99) – Xbox One & PS4 (€79.99) – Nintendo Switch (€69.99)
- 72-hour access to Early Access
- Thestral (a mount)
- Dark Arts Battle Arena
- Dark Arts Cosmetic Set
Collector’s Edition
- Cost: 299,99 € (already sold out, unclear if more will be produced.)
- Collector’s Edition Box
- a Steel Case
- a floating magic wand
- Dark Arts Pack (same as Deluxe Edition)
PlayStation console owners will receive an exclusive quest. In addition, you get optional access the exclusive pre-order bonus „Felix Felicis recipe“.
The gameplay at a glance
In Hogwarts Legacy you’ll create your own wizard-apprentice with the help of a character editor, and at the beginning of the game you’ll choose one of the four great houses of Hogwarts. You’ll be able to move freely in the open-world Hogwarts and its surroundings, and pursue the main and side quests. In the process, you’ll attend classes, learn and use spells, and brew potions. You can disarm enemies in battle, build and furnish your own house or go exploring. Also mythical creatures which you might recognize from the Harry Potter books, movies or the „Magical Beasts“ movies play a big role. The Griffin is just one example of many.
Can you play Hogwarts Legacy with friends?
The video game has been designed as a single-player game and consequently does not include a co-op mode or a multiplayer mode at release. Developer Avalanche Software focused on the single-player experience during development and wanted to capture the immersion of the Harry Potter world as fully as possible. It is unclear whether the game will feature co-op or multiplayer later in development. This is not planned at the current time.
However, this doesn’t mean that in Hogwarts Legacy you’ll have to travel the world and solve quests alone. As the story progresses, you’ll have the opportunity to befriend other Hogwarts apprentices.
Story & Setting: Where and when is Hogwarts Legacy set?
The story of Hogwarts Legacy has been summarized by developer Avalanche Software as follows: You play a character (student:in) who holds the „key“ to an ancient secret. This is capable of tearing the magic world to pieces. Upon your belated acceptance to be accepted at Hogwarts Wizarding School, you learn that you are no ordinary student. The ancient magic cannot be perceived and mastered by everyone, but you have what it takes. Decide for yourself whether you will use this ability for the good of all and their protection, or surrender to the sinister magic.
The plot of Hogwarts Legacy takes place in the wizarding world of the 19th century and is set in the well-known wizarding world of Harry Potter or Fantastic Beasts. The video game takes place before the events of the two plots. Although developer Avalanche Software wants to tell its own story, well-known characters from the books or movies will still be part of the game. In the trailer, for example, Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, who is known as the nearly headless Nick and acts as the Gryffindor house ghost, already made a brief appearance.
Can you go evil in Hogwarts Legacy?
Hogwarts Legacy is a fantasy action role-playing game, accordingly you’ll be able to level up your self-created character and equipment. In the course of the story, an open game world awaits you, which has been equipped with countless quests and events. Many gamers have now wondered if the video game in the Harry Potter universe has a morality system. Because in template there are good and evil wizards and witches. Developer Avalanche Software has since answered this question. Accordingly, there will be no moral system and you cannot become an evil wizard who bullies Hogwarts. Many quests and storylines influence your character, but the extent is limited.
You can find more articles about the fantasy role-playing game in our overview:
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