Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: It has been 16 years since the last Harry Potter book was published and 12 years since the last movie was released (we aren’t counting the forgettable Fantatastic Beasts series). For more than a decade, Potterheads have been starved of content that takes them back to JK Rowling’s magical world.
Finally in 2023, Warner Bros. Games has released an action role-playing game based on the Harry Potter novels called ‘Hogwarts Legacy’. The game is set in the Wizarding World universe and has been released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.
Hogwarts Legacy comes at a time when the older generation of Harry Potter fans can afford expensive gaming consoles and OMR 26.95 games. The time is also right for the second generation of Potterheads, who missed the Potter-fever in the aughts, have access to the aforementioned gaming devices from indulgent parents who want to keep the Pottermania alive.
What the game is about:
It’s a Role-Playing-Game (RPG), set in Hogwarts and its surrounding villages. You play as a character who has joined in the school in the 5th Year. You can choose your house, wand, broom and set out to explore this expansive, beautiful world. You face challenges, meet enemies, learn spells and combat skills while making friends along the way.
What it’s like to play the game:
In one word… overwhelming (in a good way). It’s everything that a Potter fan could wish for. You can access spots that were not seen the movies and there’s a payoff for every spell that you learn. To say that the world is massive is an understatement. You can play at a deliciously slow pace – to savor exploring every corner of world and uncovering hidden secrets and easter eggs. Or you can rush from mission to mission, unlocking new levels and acquiring new skills.
If you don’t like Harry Potter:
It’s still one of the best games of the year as per early reviews from top tech sites. Although the game may seem to have too many franchise-related references, it is still a Must Try for gaming enthusiasts. Play on a friend’s console to try it out, before you decide to invest OMR 28 in it.
If you don’t like gaming, or have never played a video game:
All you need is a bit of love for Harry Potter, and this game is bound to convert non-gamers to obsessive gamers. Make sure to select “Story” or “Easy” mode at the start of the game.
Kid-friendliness:
This is tough. ESRB rates it 13+, as it has its share of violence. But hey, it allows you to pet cats and visit Honeydukes! The choice is entirely up to the parents, based on the child’s emotional maturity and level of exposure to similar content.
Rating: 9 3/4 out of 10
Can we talk about the game without talking about the controversy around it: Yes!
Have you played the game yet? Let us know on our social media platforms.
