Hogwarts Legacy review round-up reveals whimsy and wonder abound

By Sean Lawson,

Hogwarts Legacy is fast approaching its release date for PS5 consoles. Ahead of the magical release that fans are eagerly awaiting, reviews have started to drop and it's looking pretty spectacular for the Harry Potter spin-off.

The Hogwarts Legacy trophies will soon be yours to try and earn on February 10th, 2023. We have rounded up a variety of Hogwarts Legacy reviews to help you understand how the game should shape up when you finally get to play it — spoiler, it's looking pretty spectacular so far. Where do you think Hogwarts Legacy will land on our best Harry Potter games list?

Update: We have added two more Hogwarts Legacy reviews to this round-up.
Hogwarts Legacy review round-up!Hogwarts Legacy review round-up!

The Hogwarts Legacy reviews are overwhelmingly positive

We have a plethora of best of lists for you to peruse to your hearts content. You can check out lists like the easiest PS Plus Platinums, hardest PS Plus platinums, best PS5 games, Best JRPGs, and so much more!
Tom West: "Hogwarts Legacy is a magical experience that is bound to go down well with fans of the Wizarding World. Hogwarts and its surrounding areas are crafted in meticulous detail and give players a chance to truly explore some of the most wonderful aspects of the Harry Potter novels. Both open-world and Potter fans should feel right at home here, but anyone that dislikes having to clear a map of all landmarks is going to be in for a tough ride. Hogwarts Legacy is a fantastic addition to both the franchise and the RPG genre, and an adventure you won't soon forget!"

Game Rant — 4.5/5

Dalton Cooper: "Avalanche has created something truly special with Hogwarts Legacy. It succeeds at being the dream Harry Potter game that many fans were hoping for, and if nothing else, it creates a rock-solid foundation for future Wizarding World games to be built upon. Hogwarts Legacy lives up to the hype, and we can confidently say it's the best thing to come out of the Harry Potter franchise since the original books and movies."

Screen Rant — 4.5/5

William Cennamo: "Hogwarts Legacy is a wonderful game filled to the brim with adventures to be had, activities to engage in, and secrets to be found. The school and the surrounding areas have been recreated beautifully, and players will easily lose hours lost in the whimsical splendor of this wizarding world."

Dexerto — 4/5
Alex Garton: "Hogwarts Legacy isn’t the perfect game, with the main story falling short in areas and technical issues providing some frustrating moments. However, it achieves a level of immersion that grips you into the wizarding world and doesn’t let you go. Whether it’s attending classes, getting lost in the mysterious hallways of Hogwarts, or visiting Ollivander’s to pick out the perfect wand, Avalanche has crafted a magical experience that takes you back to the day you first encountered Harry Potter, recapturing all the feelings that came with it."

GamesRadar — 3.5/5
Josh West: "Hogwarts Legacy is a solid first attempt. If Avalanche can be accused of anything, it's that the studio has tried to do too much all at once. Something was always going to give – between the massive open world, the messy RPG economy, exciting action combat, and adventure story that wants to cast you as a hero with homework due on Monday. But you can see a world in which a sequel sands down some of the rougher edges, and settles into a finer balance between the demands of an interactive experience and the lore of the wizarding world."

Michael Harradence: "Hogwarts Legacy is a compelling fantasy-RPG packed with stunning scenery, memorable characters and fantastic combat. Not only is it a brilliant love letter to fans of the Wizarding World, it excels as a game in its own right, so even non-Potter fans will find themselves immersed in its great story and characters."

Jason Faulkner: "Hogwarts Legacy is the game Harry Potter fans have dreamt of since the first book was released. It puts you firmly in the shoes of a student and turns you loose to find your place in the world of wizardry. Unfortunately, its biggest issue is that it often feels like you’re just visiting. I hope that the follow-up to Hogwarts Legacy leans into the social aspects of life at the school and gives your character an established backstory. However, aside from some narrative weaknesses, this game is a blast and an early contender for GOTY 2023."

IGN — 9/10
Travis Northup: "In nearly every way, Hogwarts Legacy is the Harry Potter RPG I’ve always wanted to play. Its open-world adventure captures all the excitement and wonder of the Wizarding World with its memorable new characters, challenging and nuanced combat, and a wonderfully executed Hogwarts student fantasy that kept me glued to my controller for dozens of hours. It’s certainly weighed down by technical issues, a lackluster main story, and some poor enemy variety, but even those couldn’t come close to breaking its enchanting spell over me."

TSA Staff: "The sights and sounds alone make Hogwarts Legacy the dream Harry Potter game fans have been longing for. There’s an intriguing mystery to unravel, though you’re bound to spend most of your time exploring a wealth of side content, visiting virtual landmarks and roleplaying as a Hogwarts student. That said, it’s more successful in being a sandbox teeming with nostalgia rather than a stand-out action RPG in its own right, let down by gameplay foibles and spellcasting combat that quickly slides into repetition."

ACG — Buy

Fextralife — It's all you wanted

KhrazeGaming — Recommended for fans and newcomers alike

Have these reviews got you pumped for the upcoming magical adventure? Do you think this will be a day-one purchase? Sound off in the comments down below!
Sean Lawson
Written by Sean Lawson
Staff Writer Sean focuses on the geekiest Sony news. He specializes in PlayStation trophies, the best PS Plus games, RPGs, and fighting games. Sean uses his years of experience to cover Dragon Age The Veilguard for PS5, all while he dives into his favorite game series like Mass Effect, Tomb Raider, and Persona.
View discussion...