Hogwarts Legacy reveals flight, combat and more in new Gameplay Showcase

Hogwarts Legacy, the upcoming RPG featuring an original Wizarding World story set in the 1800’s, has just released a brand-new gameplay showcase today. Hogwarts Legacy will launch on February 10th, 2023 for PC and next-gen consoles, but it was recently delayed for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 users. It will release for the Nintendo Switch on July 25th, 2023.

Today’s showcase primarily focused on open world features, delved into the combat system, and explained the Room of Requirement.

To begin with, the open world has turned out to be totally seamless, which is a definite win. Broom flight looks very smooth, and upgrades at the shop will literally improve broom performance. Still, it’d be nice if they boasted as much customization as the characters themselves.

That isn’t necessary for the hippogriff mount, which was a highlight of the showcase. It genuinely captures the momentum and movement of the creature, and would make a glorious Prisoner of Azkaban simulator regardless of the rest of the game.

Fans were justifiably annoyed that the game has DLC on launch, putting a paywall behind the Dark Arts battle arena, but it hardly compares to the base game content.

The combat looks solid right now, including combos, a decent variety of spells, and a surprising amount of mid-battle items. Players can personalize the Room of Requirement, which feels a little odd, but it does serve as the traditional RPG hub for gear upgrades and the like.

Overall, there continues to be a sense of freedom, wonder and surprise, key components of the Wizarding World. The systems look very comprehensive, with the ability to interact or customize just about everything. You can even befriend and play with fantastic beasts.

Assuming everything functions properly, this could be one of the most immersive RPGs in the genre. It’s brimming with fan service, though it’s clear that the content won’t rely on that alone. It’s just a tool for something much more promising.

You can read more about Hogwarts Legacy, Avalanche Software, and other upcoming RPGs by checking out the rest of our news section!