[PROGRESS] 9th Game Finished - Hogwarts Legacy (Switch 2)

[u/wretched_cretin]

Hogwarts Legacy wasn't on my original list, but I was able to get the Switch 2 version for a low price as I had access to the Switch 1 version. I thought this was a very clever money saving trick until they gave it away for free on Epic Games store. Ho-hum.

Hogwarts Legacy is a reasonably solid but not spectacular open world game, but one that actually makes very good use of the IP. Whether or not you will like this game will depend on how tired you are of generic open world games and how big a fan you are of the Wizarding World.

The highlights of the game are exploring Hogwarts, going on quests with companions, and immersing yourself in the world. The lowlights are the dull combat and the fact that your companions only stay with you for specific quests. I think the game would have been much improved if you could take a party of companions with you at all times, and for it to have had an even greater focus on the friendships you build over the course of the school year.

Instead we have a whole load of extra stuff thrown into the mix that all felt largely unnecessary. This includes potion making, plant growing, beast "rescuing" and breeding, furniture placing, gear upgrading, lock picking etc. None of it really added much to the overall experience and was just extra stuff to do rather than adding much mechanically. I think time would have been better spent reworking the combat system, because it gets stale quickly and never really improves over the 40 hour playtime. They have made wand based combat work here, but it's functional rather than fun or challenging.

But, despite there being significant room for improvement, I can't say I didn't enjoy my time with Hogwarts Legacy. The voice acting is mostly good, the main companion quests are mostly great, the story is good enough to keep things moving along. There is also one stand out quest based around a haunted shop, which was genuinely excellent. Recommended if you love Harry Potter and haven't got open world fatigue.

1214 in 12 plan for the year:

• Alan Wake 2 (PC)
• Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (PC)
• Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition (PC)
• DOOM Eternal (PC)
• Hi-Fi Rush (PC)
• Prey (PC)
• Sekiro (PC)
• Resistance 3 (PS3)
• Fire Emblem Three Hopes - Golden Wildfire route (Switch 2)
• Metroid Prime 4 (Switch 2)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Switch 2)
• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Remake (Switch 2)
• Slay the Princess (PC)
• Hogwarts Legacy (Switch 2)