An often mediocre open world game mechanics-wise, Hogwarts Legacy draws a lot from the magic that is the license it is build upon. If it weren't for that, I would spend a lot of time criticising the tons of unnecessary collectibles across the world, the dozens of shallow fetch quests and errands, and the unsatisfying combat mechanics and lack of enemy variety.

However, the game does one thing incredibly well, and that is building upon the fantasy that many of us growing up with the Harry Potter universe have always had: Walking around the Hogwarts halls and the alleys of Hogsmeade without boundries, wielding wands and casting spells, enthralls those that have been waiting for such a game for decades. The graphics produce stunning vistas at times even though they are not revolutionary or particularly 'next gen', with especially character animations lacking, but the famous wizarding school and its surroundings are really well realised overall.

Hogwarts Legacy thankfully cuts itself loose from the plot of the Harry Potter books, being set a good century before them and telling an original story with fresh characters. While it starts intriguing, the pacing of the plot does take a big dip in the middle of the game, but ultimately culminates in a bombastic couple of final hours when it ties together its lose ends, with the side quest lines you get with certain fellow students of yours also wrapping up nicely. While at the beginning of the game you do catch a glimpse of an ordinary Hogwarts student's life, those activities are quickly set aside to focus completely on the world-changing events of the main story, which might be disappointing for those looking for more of a 'student simulator' aspect in the game.

Overall, if I try and look at the game objectively, I see a just-above average open world game in Hogwarts Legacy, with aspects that countless others have done better. However, for many people, me included, it will be the Hogwarts game they always wanted, as even with its problems clearly visible, it still does a solid job in transporting the player into the wizarding world, and letting us write our own chapter in its history. And that alone is something to be excited about.

If you can, do get a used copy of this game, to make sure that no money goes into JK Rowling's hate-fueled campaigns against trans people in the UK and worldwide.