One of the most anticipated video games of the calendar year has already been released to next-gen consoles.  “Hogwarts Legacy” is an open-world action role-playing game that takes place in the same universe as the Harry Potter series did as well.  The Harry Potter universe is one of the most popular movie/book worlds out there, and fans get a first-hand experience of entering the world they grew up in and being a part of it by playing this game.  Players get to customize their own wizard, who is a new 5th-year student at Hogwarts who has some exceptional ability and connection to ancient powers that can destroy the wizarding world.  The game is filled with content as the main story takes about 25 hours to complete, and in total, there is over 40 hours of contract to play. 

There was a lot of anticipation for this game, and debates have risen about whether or not it has lived up to the hype.  The first trailer was released on September 16, 2020.  This was a few months before the PlayStation 5 or Xbox came out and was used as a selling point for people to get the next-gen consoles.  After seeing several delays in the release date, it finally came out on February 10th, 2023, nearly two and a half years after the original trailer release.  The reasoning behind this anticipation mostly came from the people’s love for the Harry Potter universe.  Because people knew they would have the chance to play in the world they loved reading books and watching movies about, the game had the potential to be a best seller and loved by many.  It is safe to say the release has lived up to the hype, as it broke the record on the streaming platform Twitch for being the most watched single-player

game.  

Its successful launch is a very impressive feat considering there were some controversies that surrounded the game due to the author of the book, JK Rowling, and her anti-transgender comments over the years that led many gamers to boycott the game.  However, Warner Bros. Games stated that Rowling had no association with the development of the game, even if she was the creator of the world it takes place in.  Some fans have been turned off from the franchise because of her statements, while others separated the situation away from the universe they all love and did not let it squander the opportunity of experiencing the world that was a huge part of their childhood.  

Being a big fan of the Harry Potter books and movies, I knew I wanted to get this game when I first heard about it.  I usually do not play these types of role players’ games, but because it took place in a world I always enjoyed, I was drawn in.  The game did a great job of creating the world of Hogwarts.  Every area has great detail and it looks very visually appealing.  The gameplay is also very fun and unique compared to other action video games.  There is a lot of content in the game and so much to do so you are always entertained.  I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys the Harry Potter series because it does a great job of bringing you into this universe through a video game.