God of War Ragnarok may now be available, but there are no shortage of titles to look forward to. One release lingering tantalisingly on the horizon is Hogwarts Legacy, and developer Avalanche has decided to refuel our enthusiasm with over 40 minutes of PS5 gameplay footage, spanning the character creator all the way through to a short tour of Hogwarts.
In short, it looks incredible. The team’s done an amazing job of making each individual corridor of the famous wizarding school feel unique, and while it’s perhaps not quite as interactive as you may have hoped, it’s bursting with activity, as students gather outside classrooms and teachers go about their business. As far as open world games go, this is certainly a very unique setting.
The video does confirm that there’ll be no scheduling system, so unlike titles like Bully, your classes will be part of the main mission structure. The loop has clearly been inspired by most modern sandbox games, as you discover fast travel points, collectibles, and quests from fellow students. The conversations look a generation behind something like Horizon Forbidden West, but to be fair, Guerrilla has set a high bar to beat.
The gameplay concludes with some combat, which seems quite complicated, but refreshingly original. Effectively, you can assign different spells to four slots on the HUD, and you’ll then need to utilise different coloured attacks to break the shields of your opponents. You can also counter attack by guarding at the last moment, much like in the Marvel’s Spider-Man games, for example.
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All in all, we’re impressed. We’ve been waiting pretty much a lifetime for a game like this, and while it’s clear the developer has had to make compromises – no playable Gobstones, for example – you can already tell this is going to be an amazing open world to explore. What are your thoughts on the showcase?
[source youtube.com]
Comments 83
Excited by this but spent about 10 minutes after reading the word Bully wondering when we will get a remaster/sequel/PS5 upgrade of that game.
But yes, Legacy is looking great.
Really not a HP fan myself. But the game does look really good and clearly a lot of effort has been put into it, so its not just some cheap cash-in game. Unfortunately the 30 FPS hurts a lot to look at.
Not interested in supporting Harry Potter due to the reasons alluded to in the disclaimer but it does looks like the devs are pulling out all the stops for the fans. I’m sure 8 year old me would lose his mind if he saw this.
Never read the books. Seen one of the movies out of order and don't really remember it. Will probably still play this because it looks damn good, pure and simple.
@rawzeku Is there no 60fps option for the game?
@rawzeku I imagine there'll be a 60fps option as well.
@get2sammyb @Nightcrawler71 Well, haven't seen them mention it so far, which is a bit worrying. But still 4 months away. So crossing fingers!
This is looking great, day one so far 👍
Take all of my money please
Never had any interest in anything HP related, whether it's the books, movies or other games. The same goes for this game.
I really don't like Harry Potter. Can't stand the films. I'll buy the game though as it looks great. I'm so confused.
This is a must have for me, this is the game I dreamt of when Harry Potter first came out when I was 10.
Also, how stacked is February looking?
Hogwarts Legacy
Dead island 2
Wild Hearts
Atelier Ryza 3
Deliver us Mars
Atomic Heart
Kirby return to dreamland
Theatrhythm final bar
Not into Harry Potter at all, but it does look awesome. I am interested in it, as long as it’s not a 2011 openworld game in 2022 graphics. Or an “Assassins Creed” game, if you prefer.
Wish they’d make a really good Lord of the Rings game, too. Then we could pretend it’s 2001 again. Come on Gollum - you can do it!!
I don’t ever get games day one, but this one I absolutely will.
This looks really fun, but I don’t really like Harry Potter so I’ll give it a miss. Hopefully one day the devs make another set in a different universe.
I'm a bit disappointed, I had hoped it would have a class schedule, like Bully. That would have been a great side activity to the main story line...
@itsfoz in this day and age, anything Bully is probably not going to happen any more I would imagine.
Very excited for this one
@dschons I’d argue if GTA can be made, Bully can. But I do see your argument.
Looks amazing! A Potter fans dream game! There's still a lot more they could do with it to make it even better but it looks like a great start so maybe a sequel will improve from it and add other things to it. Would really love to have class schedule, Quidditch and Triwizard Tournament
This is the one game I've been looking forward to the most over the last two years.
Looked rough in terms of performance, and overall a significant downgrade visually than earlier previews.
This needing to scale down to last Gen and even the garbo switch has definitely taken its toll. This will absolutely have a 60fps mode, I'd be shocked if not because it looks like Greedfall in terms of visuals and conversations.
Hopefully it pans out for the devs that have poured their efforts and passions into it...
However I personally can't throw down money to that which likely brings licensing royalty profits to someone like Rowling.
NOPE
This is looking awesome, will be keeping a close watch on this game. Maybe even a day 1 buy, which is rare for me these days!
I will maybe give this a rent if it gets good reviews and there aren't any other games I want or am playing when it's released....not into Harry Potter though...not read any of the books...and I have seen maybe 3 of the film's ...no idea which
Didn’t Sony say they believe in generations? When will REAL PS5 games feel like they’re arriving
They better add a 60FpS mode 👹 🙄
Excited for this one. The last presentation I saw looked fun.
The gameplay and graphics looks really good.and story seems cool.hogwarts legacy will definitely sell a lot of copies.word up son
Day one purchase for me. Roll on February, hopefully the release sticks
The lighting seems off. It's definitely had a downgrade.
Another PS4 game? 🤦♂️
https://gamingbolt.com/hogwarts-legacy-ps5-dualsense-support-graphics-modes-and-more-revealed
Performance mode has been confirmed for quite a while already.
This game is supposed to be running even on the switch.
@Luigia that would make sense if one you didn’t misconstrue Jim Ryan’s comment and two if this was made by Sony and not you know Avalanche and published by Warner Brothers
I am not a Harry Potter fan by any means - the books just simply passed me by when I was at an awkward age. However, just looking at the visuals, this is a very unique looking game. The gameplay looks fairly solid as well. I can't say I'll buy it, but I will definitely give it a second look. Because at the very least, it looks fun!
Looks amazing, this was definitely the kind of game I wanted since the original PS1 release. While I won't be pre-ordering this for creator profit reasons, I'll be donating the extra money to the appropriate organization.
looks pretty underwhelming and uninspired to be honest. The developer has always concerned me, but I'm happy to be proven wrong. Looks like this had a pretty substantial visual downgrade and even then the performance seemed poor
@GigaGaia
Huh? So what are you doing here in this article if you have no interest whatsoever in anything HP?
@Luigia
This is not a Sony game. It is a multiplat releasing on everything including Switch. Although, I do agree that Devs should drop last gen consoles by now and show us what these new consoles can truly do. Enough cross gen games!
@ApostateMage
I figured out what is wrong with the lighting. There are no shadows! At all. Everything is just lit up and even people have no shadows including our character. That is just weird. Maybe a bug or a downgrade to get it running smoothly.
I don't read other game sites.
What's the issue mentioned? Feel stupid and clueless.
One of my copy paste sentences: No 60FPS no buy. (Dont know here of course)
Day one for me
Super excited for this game, but I couldn't get through that video due to the annoying commentary.
@itsfoz - I honestly don't know if we're ever going to get a Bully Sequel, the rumors suggest that a Red Dead Redemption Remaster/Remake & Bully 2 were being worked on before being shelved to focus all efforts on GTA6, I mean really? Rockstar Games is made up of 2000 employees, they could have 4-5 separate teams each working on a different project, but NOPE GTA6 is all that matters.
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@ApostateMage agree with you..its about time people moved on and i'm not a potter fan but i'm buying this because it looks like an immense game..
The setting is cool but the game looks rough. Lip sync is bad, animation is generated, both should be motion captured nowadays for a big title. Shadows are non-existing and facial animation is just bad.
@Luigia Forspoken comes in January. Ratchet and Clank has been out for over a year. There’s a couple of them, but I agree it’s time for the leap. It’s coming next year to some extent.
In regards to Hogwarts, the game looks fantastic. I don’t need anything else to sell me because I’ve already preordered, but man I’m looking forward to this.
This cancel culture is getting old.. this game looks amazing.. day one for me.. hopefully they fix the lighting/shadows as mentioned.. still plenty of time
I might be mistaken,but has most of the footage to date been PS5? Obviously will be better visuals marketing wise,but I remember when the first Middle Earth game rolled out on the then relatively new PS4 & the gameplay was clearly a better game vs it's forgotten ps3 port.
Will be curious how the ps4 version stacks up. 🤔
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Looking forward to it as are my sons. To me it looks like a great first step. One of those games where you k ow the sequel will be sick.
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@somnambulance couldn’t agree with you more when you say time for the leap 🙏🏻
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@dark_knightmare2 Jim Ryan makes me feel sick. Hopefully his successor will believe in Generations
@Luigia it's really absurd how the PS4 is still being treated as if it's a current console. It almost feels like this is the first time we have two consoles being treated equally despite their being 9 years in between them.
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@Luigia I don’t mind crossgen games, but honestly devs should have been making next gen games for a while now and it seems like many devs pushed games back to accommodate last gen consoles and garner sales. I get it. They don’t want to lose their investments due to a lack of availability with the consoles. Yet still… Ratchet and Clank and Returnal, compare them with some of the cross-gen titles and it’s apparent that devs can be confident in creating a next gen experience. For me, Returnal is still an incredible tech demo for what the early PS5 catalog can do. In some ways, it’s more impressive than HFW and Ragnarok as software. And, jeez, I wonder if Insomniac is proud for sticking to PS5 only. I hope so. It was a brave move to have what is probably the most universally palatable early PS5 title avoid being crossgen.
@somnambulance PS5 sales are running almost parallel to PS4 sales over the first two years of the console's life and that's despite the severe constraints that were places on supply for most of those two years of the PS5.
But now you have Sony releasing their games on PC so it's not exactly shocking that the PS5 is not being exclusively designed for by developers. It's still sad and annoying though.
Games are still being designed for a console that comes with a 5400 RPM platter drive. Think about how absurd that is.
Day one purchase for me too! Cmon devs, let’s not screw this up!
@GreatAuk echo your comments but accountants can’t ignore 120+ PS4 players and feels like PS4 games will hold back PS5 for another 5 years
@somnambulance appreciate your heartfelt reply and just started playing Returnal and it’s ace 👍🏻
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I love the Harry Potter books, although they could’ve done with firmer editing from about Book IV onwards.
The Hogwarts setting is great, and it was a good move to set the game in the pre-HP days. I didn’t watch the video, but I’m excited to play this - can’t wait!
@Dr_Luigi let me know if it works. If not may I suggest What Remains of Edith Finch
It’s basically a walking simulator, but the story was great.
Greatest gameplay showcase so far, I am beyond HYPED for this game. February 10th can't get here soon enough.
@UltimateOtaku91 Don't forget we're also getting Tales of Symphonia Remastered in February as well!
I'll only be buying Hogwarts and Wanted Dead at full price, everything else in February will have to wait a few years until they are $20 New or free with PS+ Essential/Extra/Premium.
@get2sammyb "You're welcome to state that you won't be buying the game for these reasons, but otherwise remain on topic of the game itself." ApostateMage answered a question asked by Blacksmith1985 and both comments removed for being off topic? So you can say you wont be buying the game for certain reasons but your comment will be deleted for being off topic? ApostateMage's reply was not insulting or in a tone that could be construed as inciting a argument so could you guys please make up your minds as to what exactly can be discussed about this game? I'm not trying to start a row here nor am i trying to start a debate about the "M" word but it is a tad confusing after reading the disclaimer..i would have emailed you this but you never reply..👍
@JudgeDredd lol love the avatar by the way...going up to 5 on you 👍
@JudgeDredd did you miss comment number 3 where they clearly say they won't be buying the game for reasons alluded
@Northern_munkey If you have a problem with moderation then feel free to send an email and I can investigate. Ultimately, I'm not the one who's removed any posts so I can't comment without more details.
@get2sammyb email sent
"The conversations look a generation behind something like Horizon Forbidden West, but to be fair, Guerrilla has set a high bar to beat."
What could this possibly be referring to? Graphics or writing? Because if it's the former, Horizon's facial animation is decent, but looks absolutely goofy in comparison to something the TLoU2, and if it's the latter, you must be joking, because the writing in that game is truly terrible.
Day 1 Purchase.
Huge Harry Potter Fan.
Another PS5 game held back by PS4 limitations.
@Dr_Luigi I hear ya… definitely not for everyone.
@Luigia that’s sad someone you don’t know makes you feel like that
@dark_knightmare2 Ryan is a poor from man for Sony and I’m sure his successor will believe in generations and not keeping Cross Gen going till 200M PS4’s are sold 😜
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