Hogwarts Legacy
Open-world action RPG set in the Wizarding World (Avalanche Software + Warner Bros. Games, Feb 10, 2023 PS5/Xbox/PC; Nov 2023 Switch/last-gen) — 1890s Hogwarts + Highlands + Hogsmeade. Fifth-year student customises house, learns spells, discovers ancient magic. Best-selling game of 2023 (~24M units).
What is Hogwarts Legacy?
Hogwarts Legacy is the open-world action-RPG set in the Wizarding World of J.K. Rowling — developed by Avalanche Software + published by Warner Bros. Games. Released February 10, 2023 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC; delayed release on Nintendo Switch + PS4/Xbox One in November 2023. Set in the 1890s (a century before Harry Potter novels), player creates fifth-year Hogwarts student who discovers ancient magic + investigates goblin rebellion led by Ranrok. Full 4-house choice (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff) with unique common rooms + house-exclusive quests. Combat features 20+ spells across four colour-coded categories (control yellow / force red / damage purple / transfiguration green) + potion + plant + Ancient Magic finishers. Best-selling game of 2023 with ~24M units sold worldwide; strong critical reception for open-world design + Wizarding World authenticity. Discourse around J.K. Rowling controversy present in press coverage.
Quick facts
Category
Video Games
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~30 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Released Feb 10, 2023 for current-gen; Nov 2023 for last-gen + Switch
Olympic
No
Popularity
global
How it works
Objective
Investigate goblin rebellion + discover ancient magic secrets; graduate as a wizard.
Match structure
Single-player open-world quest + faction storylines + house-specific content.
Rules
Basic rules
4-house selection at start
Sorting Hat quiz + player override; house determines dorm, common room, and 1 quest chain.
20+ spells in 4 categories
Control (yellow/levioso/glacius), Force (red/depulso/expelliarmus), Damage (purple/confringo/incendio), Transfiguration (green/transformation).
Companion side quests
3 main student companions (Poppy, Sebastian, Natsai) with dedicated side-quest chains.
Advanced rules
Ancient Magic finishers
Build meter through combat; unleash cinematic Ancient Magic attack for area burst.
Restricted Section spells
Unforgivable Curses (Crucio, Imperio, Avada Kedavra) unlockable through Sebastian storyline (optional).
Scoring
Main quest progression + Field Guide completion + Merlin Trial completion + house cup + ancient magic knowledge.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Main quest completion | Story credits |
Win condition · Complete story + optional 100% (all trials, chests, collectibles).
Equipment
PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / PC / PS4 / Xbox One / Switch
Multi-platform; current-gen highest fidelity (4K 60 FPS).
DualSense (PS5) adaptive triggers
Spell-casting rhythm reflected in adaptive trigger resistance.
Positions & roles
Player (Custom fifth-year student)
×1Hogwarts student wizard.
Officiating
Single-player only.
- Speedrun.com moderators
Penalties & fouls
Penalties
Death (Game Over)
Reload autosave; no permanent loss.
Detention (missable optional)
Some late-night activities trigger detention consequences; not permanent.
Strategies
Spell colour-cycling
Match spell colour to enemy shield colour to break through defenses.
Ancient Magic burst timing
Save Ancient Magic burst for surrounded encounters or high-HP enemies.
Broomstick fast-travel + Floo Flame chain
Combine broom flight + unlocked Floo Flames for efficient traversal.
Terminology
- Ancient Magic
- Special player-only magic separate from standard spells
- Merlin Trial
- Open-world puzzle activation
- Field Guide
- In-game encyclopedia + collectible tracker
- Floo Flame
- Fast-travel points across Hogwarts + Highlands
Major competitions
Speedrun.com Hogwarts Legacy leaderboards
ongoing · global (community) · since 2023
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Warner Bros. Games
Founded 2004 · Burbank, California, USA
Avalanche Software
Founded 1995 · Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Community speedrunners establishing 2023 Any% + 100% leaderboards
Records
Best-selling game of 2023
Warner Bros. Games — ~24 million units sold in 2023 alone (per Circana + market analysts) (2023)
First-day sales record
Warner Bros. Games — Highest-grossing single-player launch of 2023 (2023)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Hogwarts intro + first spells
Sorting Hat, common room, first class (Charms/Transfiguration/Defense).
intermediate
- 1
House quest + companion storylines
House-specific quest, 3 companion quest chains, Room of Requirement.
advanced
- 1
100% completion + speedrun
All Merlin Trials + Field Guide + Ancient Magic mastery.
Frequently asked
Does the game include the Unforgivable Curses?+
Yes — through Sebastian's storyline you can learn Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra. Optional and doesn't affect main story.
Is it multiplayer?+
No — Hogwarts Legacy is single-player only. Warner Bros. released Quidditch Champions separately as multiplayer companion.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Hogwarts Legacy— Wikipedia