Like many others, I spent my childhood waiting for my Hogwarts letter. I read the books, watched the movies, and played every video game adaptation that promised a taste of the Wizarding World. Some were fun, most were forgettable, but none truly delivered the experience I had in my head—the fantasy of actually being a student at Hogwarts.

When Hogwarts Legacy was announced, I wanted to be excited. But I had been burned before. Would this really be the Harry Potter game we always wanted? Could it actually capture the magic of Hogwarts, or would it be just another lifeless open-world game with a wizard skin slapped on top?

 

 

Then I stepped into the castle for the first time. The Great Hall was alive with flickering candlelight. Ghosts drifted through the corridors. A suit of armor rattled as I walked past. And for the first time ever in a game, Hogwarts felt real. That’s when I knew: this was something different. You can buy Hogwarts Legacy for the cheapest prices on PlayStation 5

After spending dozens of hours exploring every corner of Hogwarts Legacy, I can confidently say that this game delivers on the dream of a fully realized Wizarding World adventure. Here’s a breakdown of what makes this game shine.

1. The Most Immersive Hogwarts Experience Ever

The true star of this game is Hogwarts itself. Avalanche Software has created a version of the castle that feels alive, mysterious, and packed with secrets. It feels like being in a living, breathing school. When you walk through the stone corridors, you see ghosts floating past you, enchanted armor suits moving, and students casually using magic to prank each other. The attention to detail is stunning.

The castle is a maze of hidden rooms, trick doors, and winding staircases. Even after spending hours exploring, you’re still not far from discovering a new wing or an undiscovered area. Every space is distinct—Gryffindor’s common room is medieval and warm, Ravenclaw’s tower has an astronomy vibe, Hufflepuff’s underground den is cozy, and Slytherin’s dungeon is eerie.

With Hogwarts Legacy, you don’t get a static Hogwarts. Months pass, and the castle changes. In autumn, you’ll see pumpkins decking the grounds, and in winter, the grounds are under a blanket of snow. Meanwhile, the Forbidden Forest is dark, eerie, and filled with dangerous creatures. I know there are millions of Potterheads out there who can play this game for hours just for exploring the Hogwarts setting.

2. Spellcasting Combat is Shockingly Fun and Deep

I had my doubts about how a magic-based combat system would work, but Hogwarts Legacy has delivered. What you get is one of the most engaging, strategic, and visually satisfying battle systems. The real fun of combat is in combining spells together. You can pull an enemy with Accio, set them ablaze with Incendio, and finish them off with the Bombarda spell. Your enemies have color-coded shields that you can break by using matching spell types, so you will need to adapt your spell loadout for different fights. The parry and dodge mechanics work well, and the better you get at them, the further you will progress in combat. As you fight, a special meter builds up, letting you unleash devastating cinematic magical attacks. As you level up, you will unlock perks that enhance your spells.

3. A Massive Open World Filled with Content

Beyond Hogwarts, there is an entire open world filled with things to do, places to explore, and secrets to uncover. It’s fun flying on a broomstick across the sprawling map, making exploration fast and enjoyable. There are more than a hundred side quests, and many of them introduce you to unique characters. For example, there are fetch missions, but there are also full-fledged stories featuring memorable NPCs, fun puzzles, and sometimes even moral choices.

I also like the Room of Requirement because it slowly becomes your customized wizard hideout where you can decorate, grow plants, brew potions, and even take care of magical creatures. And that reminds me to tell you that if you ever wanted to catch and care for a Niffler, Hippogriff, or Mooncalf, you get the opportunity in this game. Even the Dark Arts path exists if you want it, so you can learn and use the Unforgivable Curses, including Avada Kedavra. Of course, you will face reactions from NPCs and consequences within the world.

There is a lot more to like, but I want to give a shout-out to the “buy it once and play it fully” experience. Everything in the game is unlocked through gameplay, with no intrusive monetization schemes. This is a pure single-player experience. I have absolutely no qualms in recommending this as the best Harry Potter game experience to any Potterhead fan.