The game is incredible. They truly made the wizarding game that fans of the series dreamt of as they experienced it as a kid. I'm not the biggest hp fan, but this game is truly special
@Devitofan 000 Yeah, but imo Okumora was poorly designed. I think P3 and 4 are way more balanced and consistent, but smt is just plain rough. I like them all though. I don't agree with the easy equals bad statement at all
@Homelander idk. I mainly play fighting games, some at a high level, so I understand the love for challenges. Take smt games vs persona games for instance. I love smt, but p5 is still one of the best games ever made and it's very easy.
From a developer that was known for Disney games like Toy Story, Disney’s Cars, and Disney Infinity…. This is a MASSIVE LEAP forward!! Props to Avalanche Studios!!
The opening scene/mission with the thestrals showed me the care involved in making the game while simultaneously making me feel like I was on a mission with dumbledore
Definitely the biggest surprise was the combat and it being actually fairly challenging I REALLY like that the difficulties aren't just health increases and are literally just better AI with more interesting encounters
This is all good design and programming. For example, check out how enemies aggro towards a player and have a set path in games like soulsborne or Bethesda RPGs. Like the comment above me said, enemies will just lumber aimlessly at you with barely any tactics. The moveset can vary, but that's usually all.
Seeing how mobs that can WILL try to flank and use different approches. Like the armors, some will Leap, others will approach and then some will hang back and throw their weapons. Most games would just have them lumber towards you as you circle strafe them
I was so scared this game would be too ambitious and a complete disaster, but seeing such a trustworthy source like this give an overwhelmingly positive review just made me so incredibly happy. Thank you ACG for your efforts in putting this review together! You provided a ton of relevant information without spoiling anything.
@SL4PSH0CK Game is far from a 9/10.....it's a 6/10 at best. The world all looks the same, the merlin quests are idiotic, it's a sub 30 hour game....if this didn't have the wizarding world label on it, this game would get trash reviews
@King Robotnik Nah I just know good games, this isn't it. Graphics from 2015, and a copy and paste formula from assassin's creed, but in a shorter game.
A bunch of things are locked behind the classes, you have to do them if you want to get other spells and progress the mission and classes are literally just fetch quests
Yeah i was afraid you had to do the classroom and could not go walk around until you done the classroom quest But i explored while trying to get to my classroom
This review helped tip my decision to buy the game and I am glad I did because it is a fabulous time. The setting feels so magical and the combat is a lot more fun than I had feared. I'm not an HP fan but I do enjoy adventure RPGs (ala AC: Origins or Odyssey) and this was very reminiscent of that kind of game - but with a genuine Hogwarts world to do it in. Nothing feels tacked on, here, and I have spent hours just exploring the school and its grounds - a very rewarding experience.
I think a great idea for a sequel would be adding a sort of mass effect style party system where you can have two of your homies following you around, who have different strengths and weaknesses, and you choose who to bring along based on what you're expecting to run into, or just who you would like to have along because they're a fun/interesting character.
@bruh ER doesn't have a direct storyline in the game thats what I mean. Is only what you can fabricate yourself or watch others interpretation but comparing that to HL is just poor comparison. For example since you mentioned story if you play ER 100h, 95h is just running around fighting pointless npc that have nothing valuable to the story yup that's $ well invested👍
@Dean Gregoric lmao ER has a story you either a.) watch KZclipr that covers Elden Ring lore or b.) play the game yourself and piece together the lore by reading the item descriptions and dialogue from npcs.
It's funny because in sales and business a good tactic that is taught is to undersell then over deliver. But lots of companies seem to think it's good to do the opposite, especially gaming companies.
So glad this game turned out great. The devs did an excellent job with this and it's fantastic to see JK Rowling's world envisioned like this. Thanks as always for the thorough review.
Wow. I had to sub to you. This is one of the best reviews I have seen for a game. Thank you for being so thorough and detailed. I can tell that this was authentic and well thought out. I had already bought the game, just because I couldn't resist. But, your review definitely makes me feel more confident in my purchase.
One of the only content creators I will actually base my decisions off of if I'm on the fence about a game. So much hard work goes into these videos that he releases.
There is FINALLY another game for me to pour hours into! I am so relieved after being let down so much by recent titles. It looks gorgeous! I just hope my PC can run it well. Thanks, Jeremy.
My main concern was combat, glad to see that's not terrible or even bad here. A close second was content, I would've really felt let down by a 15-20 hour experience, so glad there's content in the game too
Thanks for this video review. You went into detail, without just giving the standard 5 minute video review. Thank you for all that you do. Very much appreciated.
@Obvious Troll That Baited You Yeah i'll agree with you on that one. Most publishers push for their dev teams to monetise or cut parts from the game to sell as DLC or skins.
This game looked like one of those games that looks amazing but, once it finally gets released just fails miserably. I'm really happy it's getting great reviews and my mind is made up. It's now in my basket. :) Thanks ACG for giving me another well informed review!!
look whoever either wrote the script or adlibbed for this video, you did a fantastic job. ignoring the actual game you dialogue was simply wonderful, the words used and the analogies were fantastic, great job, from the bottom of my druken heart
Feeling very relieved that this game seems to be getting great reviews. One of those games that I was hesitant about getting excited over until people actually got their hands on the finished product
@DrSquatch so they just expect others to give them an idea of what they should play and what they will enjoy? That’s not enjoying things, that’s just being happy doing what everyone else is doing. If you truly wanted to wait, a person would watch a straight play through of the game and determine it that way. But just waiting for reviews is truly for the lowest common denominator of a person.
I haven’t been this excited for a game in YEARS😂 I can’t wait for the 10th! I’ll be playing as an evil ravenclaw first and then a good slytherin after. Hopefully there’s a mp quidditch mode added later!
I’m glad this game turned out to be better than I originally thought. The first couple of trailers for the game made me nervous. Technical issues as far as lag and pop-in. It looked completely unfinished when it was shown off. One of the rare cases where a game looks, feels, and plays better than originally shown off. Generally, the case is often the opposite. Very excited for this game.
Thank you so much for this in-depth review! I completely forgot about the release of this game but this made me so happy! Also I love your character's name lmao
Been eagerly awaiting the reviews for this game to drop. It's been my most anticipated game since it was announced but have been trying to temper my excitement so that I wouldnt get too disappointed if it turned out poorly. So glad to hear it's getting good reviews. Feels like a sigh of relief as much as excitement.
You described how I’ve been feeling too. I was scared to get my hopes up so I didn’t. Love the Potter universe too much to have my heart crushed. I’m beyond thrilled the devs have delivered on their promises and then some!
ACG is one of THE best reviewers on the platform without a doubt, especially when you're skeptical about buying games because you either have a budget or have to save up in order to buy new releases
True. I mostly rely on him and SkillUp to gauge whether or not a game is worth my time and money. Honest, no bullshit, to the point, and no inane numeric rating system but a clear-cut, simple recommendation.
Thank you for this! This game is definitely getting a platinum for me at least on the PS5 physical disc deluxe edition! Excited to get into Hogwarts. 😍
I actually pre-ordered this because I was excited to play it I'm glad I did and definitely seems worth the money which sadly is not always the case anymore.
I would've really liked to hear about PC controls specifically, how the default mapping is, can you re-bind keys, and does it feel okay or is it basically built around a controller? Anyway thanks for the review.
You can rebind keys freely. PC controls are a bit clunky but okay once you get used to them. You'll need to play around a bit to figure out what works best for you though
It's the opposite for me. This game was dry af. The first few hours were decent and then it just stagnates and lacks any bit of an rpg mechanic with like 5 bland enemy types and a filler episode story.
Interesting that the game looks so amazing, and much better than what we saw in trailers and previews. Normally it goes the other way! Worth buying for the ability to visit the Hogwarts world alone. Glad they made the game and story great too.
I just can't express how great it is that you cover sound. So many reviewers don't even consider tackling it. Not everyone has an ear for sound, but its such an important part of a game.
Agreed. Sound is often not given the credit it deserves, but what Skyrim or Witcher veteran doesn't instantly feel transported when they hear the theme music?
Really love your style of writing reviews. I got a good chuckle out of comments like "a Ron-Weasley type broom" and the MC's parents spending too long at a free love festival lol.
I don't normally pre-order games in fear that they will fall flat for my hard earned money, but this game was a different story. So excited to play early with the Delux edition! Thanks for the great review and further settling my head that I made the right choice in pre-ordering.
Just to point out, don't preorder, separate from the controversy. Preordering enables companies to fund development studios less and create time constraints in the future. Also emphasis on company, as they are the ones publishing the game not making the game there's a difference
I love that you include your time played in these reviews. That’s a big help - especially for an open world game. Hearing that it still felt fresh after that amount of time is a huge Pro on my list.
That's one of best features on Xbox Game Pass on PC. It shows you the average completion time, the average longplay completion time and the average 100% playtime.
I'm not sure if he mentioned it but I think what would make this game fun is if you had your own sorcery room where you create your own spells and armor and collectibles and trophies hanging up.
Never was a Potter fan, but this just seems like a pinnacle of gaming, wizard sim, world building and exploration a cool huge castle. Cant wait to play it tomorrow!
With so many disappointing titles having released over the past few months or so, it's refreshing to see a game that actually manages to live up to its hype. Despite being a smaller company, Avalanche Software has a lot of heart and passion for what they do. Hogwarts Legacy is proof of that. I can easily overlook the lack of facial customization options and texture pop in when everything is so well made. The game is gorgeous, and it's nicely detailed. Combat is challenging and varied. There is a lot of content and a lot of things to do. Voice acting is solid. I'm glad that audio was covered in the review because there are reviewers out there who simply don't discuss it for some reason. Voice acting, music, sound effects, and ambient sounds are all vital when it comes to sound design, and I really appreciate the fact that you covered them in the review. I definitely look forward to picking Howarts Legacy, even though I'm not really a fan of Harry Potter, which says something about the quality of the game and the hard work that Avalanche Software put into it. Thanks once again, Karak, for another honest, unbiased, and detailed review! I really appreciate the continued hard work! Keep it up! God bless and stay safe!
this is the review i was waiting for. i had my doubts about how good the game was actually going to be behind te hype and your reviews are the only ones i trust.
This looks really, really promising. Been a while since I last touched a Harry Potter game, last one being the Quiddich game on PS2. Thanks again Karak for your helpful review!
Wouldn’t say it been completely well received. Watch out for random spoilers. People have been posting them in protest. I accidentally stumbled on some via random memes. What can I say? Memes are my crutch.
I was waiting for you. I don't use "trust" for youtube, but I swear you earn it with every video. All the thanks man. Always consistent with the information and delivery! I AM READY to go down this rabbit hole!
The game seems very happy for a lack of a better word. I'm really hoping there's horror elements here. I want it to feel eerie, creepy, dark and so on.
Imagine if combat worked this way in Harry Potter movies, people getting juggled and thrown around (or smashed multiple times on the ground) and Harry knowing more than 3 spells throughout all his education
Even if I have very little relationship with the IP, aside of the movies, I am happy the HP fans finally have a good triple A game, I even want to try myself later on.
This is the first game I've bought day one since Fallout 4. It's downloading now, and I actually feel excited for a game. Haven't felt that joy in years, and I don't even like Harry Potter that much but this game just looks beautiful and fun.
I have been playing for about 4 hours in total since last night, and you most certainly can. Almost every room is open (with the exception of locked doors that have level locks and other common rooms). I have been exploring the castle alone 75% of that time...which should tell you a lot. :)
I have to say, I really like the number values for damage are digestible, so to speak. I get the Vegas-style glam for every one-hit skeleton in Vampire Survivors being worth 3 billion points, but just seeing the number "6" pop up for a direct wand hit in this video honestly hit just right; when another hit shows "30," it does feel that much more clear how significant it is.
I appreciate smaller numbers. I also like when they start small and grow appropriately. (When you get to 100k and 1m it starts to feel pretty silly.) In a lot of JRPGs, the general size of your damage numbers grew throughout the game naturally, offering a sort of global reference for how powerful you were. Like Final Fantasy, going from small 2-digit numbers through 3-digit and up to 9999 as you progress. On the flipside, ARPGs like Horizon Zero Dawn might see 2-digit normal attacks and 3-digit hard hits with a much smaller increase from beginning to endgame, and it also works. Hogwarts Legacy seems more in line with the latter. We'll know from experience soon enough!
@Purvdragon-sensei yeah the numbers mean nothing then. Oh I'm able to do a more difficult greater rift while having no idea what the numbers popping up on screen mean
As a person who's grown up reading the books and playing the games, I'm so happy to see how well this game was made. It's complex with it's dueling system, you get freedom of exploration but also the fun experience of going to school with adolescent witches and wizards. It isn't perfect (no Quidditch?) but it's a damn great game and makes you feel like you're apart of the world.
No Quidditch really hurts tbh, especially since the broom flying is SO damn on point. It feels exactly like you'd think it should feel. I really do hope they will eventually patch it in or make it an expansion or whatever.
So....I can't believe that the games to help facilitate us from these dark gaming days are Dead Space and Hogwarts. I love the fact that Dead Space has been absolutely stunning of a remake and Hogwarts looks to be a banger of a game. Thanks for the review!
These reviews are the best man, not too spoilery and give the info I need. I genuinely thought this would be another boring Ubisoft style open world with millions of icons and dead world, but this review convinced me to buy it.
You and SkillUp are my most trusted opinions online and If at least one of you is really into a game, I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy it. If you're both really into it, even better! But just hearing your reaction alone lets me know that this is the game I hope it would be and looking forward to diving in.
@JZ He was more diplomatic. That's all. Not like John from digital foundry that he shamed his self very badly with what he said on twitter. Truth is there is some kind of war on the internet about this game. Very weird behaviours. I myself got the game and think is very very good. There is no way someone can find big flaws other than technical issues.
@Pete Oliva It wasn't a terrible game, but he failed to mention the broken promises that CD Project Red made for the game. There was supposed to be all these different mechanics such as wall-running, vehicle combat, etc.. and the open world was supposed to be truly alive with NPC's having schedules. The decisions that you make throughout the game had very little impact on the world as well. I dunno, I get how some people enjoyed the game, but when I played it, all I could think was "Is this all there is?." Glad you enjoyed it tho :)
@D V He adored Rollerdrome and so do I. I hated Deathloop after not believing it could be that bad and bought it anyway and I should have listened to him. FH5 is an amazing racing game despite having no soul.
I was never a Harry Potter fan, but this game looks like tons of fun! I may look into getting it for PS5 when it's cheaper. Thank you, as always, for the fantastic review!
Would you recommend playing on hard? Or is normal good enough? I like a challenge but don't like dying in the same area more than like 3 or 4 times lol
Awesome review, always the first place to come for a decent review, thanks. Game does look good, I'll need to see if I want to start another open world game though, I never get round to finishing them!
I've come full circle. Harry Potter had a huge hand in developing my tastes, and to see it flourish into something like this is a childhood dream come true. I can't speak for everyone of course, but personally, this game came at the tail end of an integral shift in my train of thought. I'm 27 now and life is nothing what I thought it would be, for better and worse (in some cases). The Wizarding World has stayed alive in my head through all of it. As for gaming, I've had an ear to the ground for decades at this point and this feels like a good time to slow down and reevaluate my relationship with it, especially considering my backlog of games I've yet to touch or really give the time they deserve. I'm incredibly thankful to have the experiences I've had, and for the opportunity to play this work of love. That said, Hogwarts Legacy will spark my exodus.
Imagine if your identity had been built on something real lol or your own hidden esoteric history…. Nah bread and circuses instead I get what you’re saying tho. The wizard world speaks to our collective consciousness for a reason
Im actually surprised... how "complete" this game looks, to be honest I thought it was just going to be a cash grab for just having the Harry Potter IP, I might give this game a try, and as far as customization goes, Im sure the modding community on PC is gonna take care of that haha
The game is brilliant but I do have a few complaints: The map is really confusing and hard to use for me A lot of the game feels very confusing Having to redo your appearance and manually equip every new item is really annoying The game feels quite slow (I’m only 8 hours in so this might change) These are not at all deal breakers and I am loving the game but these are just the main issues I am finding
I was excited for this game pretty much since it was announced, but with all the controversy surrounding it I’ve been questioning whether or not I should get it. But I’m a sucker for a good fantasy world and this game does look pretty damn fun
I'm glad you said something about how the avatar always looks same-ish. I know videogames always use pretty much a similar character base, especially if they use digital face scanning, but in legacy they seem very "Gooback"-ish. 😅 It's like, the characters aren't diverse at all, you can just change how long you've been tanning. 🙄 Oh well.
Ahh, how refreshing to hear this in this age of video games! Thank you, sir. It's hard to keep excitement for games going when the expectations devs present us with never come to fruition. This video was a great way to start my day.
Yeah, I’ve been waiting for this “review” for a long time. I don’t trust anyone more than ACG when it comes to honesty and depth. I’m not even a big Potter fan but goddamn it looks incredible, glad to know it lives up more or less.
![[CHOREOGRAPHY] 지민 (Jimin) 'Like Crazy' Dance Practice](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uatW2Phormk/mqdefault.jpg)
The game I dreamed of as a kid is finally here
good
👍👍👍
Nice
👍👍👍
Very good
The game is incredible. They truly made the wizarding game that fans of the series dreamt of as they experienced it as a kid. I'm not the biggest hp fan, but this game is truly special
@Devitofan 000 Yeah, but imo Okumora was poorly designed. I think P3 and 4 are way more balanced and consistent, but smt is just plain rough. I like them all though. I don't agree with the easy equals bad statement at all
@GG256 idk,persona 5 can be pretty frustrating sometimes,freakijg okamaru ☠️
@Homelander idk. I mainly play fighting games, some at a high level, so I understand the love for challenges. Take smt games vs persona games for instance. I love smt, but p5 is still one of the best games ever made and it's very easy.
@Homelander just admit that what you said is cap, and now you feel like you wasted your money lmao
From a developer that was known for Disney games like Toy Story, Disney’s Cars, and Disney Infinity…. This is a MASSIVE LEAP forward!! Props to Avalanche Studios!!
Ooo I did like the cars game though , I was very little though
They also worked on Mad Max, which is underrated IMO
The opening scene/mission with the thestrals showed me the care involved in making the game while simultaneously making me feel like I was on a mission with dumbledore
@Diego Vera Such a great detail!
I literally yelled "Oh my god he's dead because I can see them now" I was instantly hooked
ACG dropping consistent quality reviews. The game I dreamed of as a kid is finally here. Happy week for many, I’m sure
ok
ok
Definitely the biggest surprise was the combat and it being actually fairly challenging
I REALLY like that the difficulties aren't just health increases and are literally just better AI with more interesting encounters
It's actually not, it's REALLY easy, even on hard mode. It IS entertaining. That is why modders have made harder modes.
As opposed to figuretively so?
ok
This is all good design and programming. For example, check out how enemies aggro towards a player and have a set path in games like soulsborne or Bethesda RPGs. Like the comment above me said, enemies will just lumber aimlessly at you with barely any tactics. The moveset can vary, but that's usually all.
Seeing how mobs that can WILL try to flank and use different approches. Like the armors, some will Leap, others will approach and then some will hang back and throw their weapons. Most games would just have them lumber towards you as you circle strafe them
I was so scared this game would be too ambitious and a complete disaster, but seeing such a trustworthy source like this give an overwhelmingly positive review just made me so incredibly happy. Thank you ACG for your efforts in putting this review together! You provided a ton of relevant information without spoiling anything.
@SL4PSH0CK Game is far from a 9/10.....it's a 6/10 at best. The world all looks the same, the merlin quests are idiotic, it's a sub 30 hour game....if this didn't have the wizarding world label on it, this game would get trash reviews
after a month, its a great open world, bad rpg, great HP title. a 9/10*
@tartatovsky I never even liked my own comment, ya'll are crazy.
@Drunk Husband ok Mr. "I like my own comments in order to make a point"
Lol
@King Robotnik Nah I just know good games, this isn't it. Graphics from 2015, and a copy and paste formula from assassin's creed, but in a shorter game.
I love how the classroom thing is not just tacked on. Sounds like an actual part of the world. So excited for this.
@Francis OfFilth the problem is there's like 6 classes, in a game that spans a full year at Hogwarts
@Blissful DJshouldn’t that be what classes are? Ya know a school where you learn stuff you gotta attend a class to ya know learn stuff? Lol
I played it, the classroom thing is tacked on, and you only go to classes to unlock spells
A bunch of things are locked behind the classes, you have to do them if you want to get other spells and progress the mission and classes are literally just fetch quests
Yeah i was afraid you had to do the classroom and could not go walk around until you done the classroom quest But i explored while trying to get to my classroom
This review helped tip my decision to buy the game and I am glad I did because it is a fabulous time. The setting feels so magical and the combat is a lot more fun than I had feared. I'm not an HP fan but I do enjoy adventure RPGs (ala AC: Origins or Odyssey) and this was very reminiscent of that kind of game - but with a genuine Hogwarts world to do it in. Nothing feels tacked on, here, and I have spent hours just exploring the school and its grounds - a very rewarding experience.
I think a great idea for a sequel would be adding a sort of mass effect style party system where you can have two of your homies following you around, who have different strengths and weaknesses, and you choose who to bring along based on what you're expecting to run into, or just who you would like to have along because they're a fun/interesting character.
This is a great idea!
Could be dlc down the line
@zjoee Garrus 😆
This would allow so many options for character stories.
Wow.
Like a proper game. O_O
What the heck.
"Can we talk later? I have to do some calibrations on my broom."
About 18 hours in, and im absolutely loving it. As someone who has always enjoyed Harry Potter, the little touches/easter eggs are really good.
@endocry nope I'm not playing this dorky game.
@bruh you mad?
@Dean Gregoric game has tons of content even though alot of it is copy and paste bosses -burial watchdogs- in copy and paste dungeons -catacombs-
@bruh ER doesn't have a direct storyline in the game thats what I mean. Is only what you can fabricate yourself or watch others interpretation but comparing that to HL is just poor comparison. For example since you mentioned story if you play ER 100h, 95h is just running around fighting pointless npc that have nothing valuable to the story yup that's $ well invested👍
@Dean Gregoric lmao ER has a story you either a.) watch KZclipr that covers Elden Ring lore or b.) play the game yourself and piece together the lore by reading the item descriptions and dialogue from npcs.
I'm so happy to hear the actual gameplay mechanics are considered top notch by all reviewers.
wow this looks FAR better than any of the footage they have released prior to release. how rare that is these days.
Good
ok
It's funny because in sales and business a good tactic that is taught is to undersell then over deliver. But lots of companies seem to think it's good to do the opposite, especially gaming companies.
Almost like they cared about the game they were making lol
@Sarahnade you seem very bitter and angry mate
So glad this game turned out great. The devs did an excellent job with this and it's fantastic to see JK Rowling's world envisioned like this. Thanks as always for the thorough review.
Wow. I had to sub to you. This is one of the best reviews I have seen for a game. Thank you for being so thorough and detailed. I can tell that this was authentic and well thought out. I had already bought the game, just because I couldn't resist. But, your review definitely makes me feel more confident in my purchase.
ACG is the best reviewer out there.
ACG is always one of the reviews i trust
Same with worth a buy Mack does some great reviews to
Been subbed for years, quality has been consistently among the best for reviews of new releases.
One of the only content creators I will actually base my decisions off of if I'm on the fence about a game.
So much hard work goes into these videos that he releases.
You won't be disappointed with his reviews, been subbed for a while and ACG never lets down with his review
There is FINALLY another game for me to pour hours into! I am so relieved after being let down so much by recent titles. It looks gorgeous! I just hope my PC can run it well. Thanks, Jeremy.
My main concern was combat, glad to see that's not terrible or even bad here. A close second was content, I would've really felt let down by a 15-20 hour experience, so glad there's content in the game too
Thanks for this video review. You went into detail, without just giving the standard 5 minute video review. Thank you for all that you do. Very much appreciated.
These DEVS and creators deserve so much credit for actually delivering on what so many of us have wanted. Such a small name too!!
@Vagrant Ender I'm well aware. Disney infinity was not a small game by a small indie company
These DEVS these ***DEVS***
They had big shoes to fill with this release and they nailed it
@Obvious Troll That Baited You Yeah i'll agree with you on that one. Most publishers push for their dev teams to monetise or cut parts from the game to sell as DLC or skins.
This might be one of the few games that I play in 4K mode rather than performance. I just really want to be immersed and catch the beauty of it.
All of the animations look absolutely stunning. Can't wait to play this title!
This game looked like one of those games that looks amazing but, once it finally gets released just fails miserably. I'm really happy it's getting great reviews and my mind is made up. It's now in my basket. :) Thanks ACG for giving me another well informed review!!
I think you're one of the best reviewers out there! This game looks stunning and I can't wait to pick it up later today
look whoever either wrote the script or adlibbed for this video, you did a fantastic job. ignoring the actual game you dialogue was simply wonderful, the words used and the analogies were fantastic, great job, from the bottom of my druken heart
Feeling very relieved that this game seems to be getting great reviews. One of those games that I was hesitant about getting excited over until people actually got their hands on the finished product
@AllYourBase it isn’t
@DrSquatch so they just expect others to give them an idea of what they should play and what they will enjoy? That’s not enjoying things, that’s just being happy doing what everyone else is doing. If you truly wanted to wait, a person would watch a straight play through of the game and determine it that way. But just waiting for reviews is truly for the lowest common denominator of a person.
@grandchefauto that isn't necessarily true. Many people don't want to waste their money on a game that they won't enjoy.
I haven’t been this excited for a game in YEARS😂 I can’t wait for the 10th! I’ll be playing as an evil ravenclaw first and then a good slytherin after.
Hopefully there’s a mp quidditch mode added later!
I’m glad this game turned out to be better than I originally thought. The first couple of trailers for the game made me nervous. Technical issues as far as lag and pop-in. It looked completely unfinished when it was shown off. One of the rare cases where a game looks, feels, and plays better than originally shown off. Generally, the case is often the opposite. Very excited for this game.
Thank you so much for this in-depth review! I completely forgot about the release of this game but this made me so happy! Also I love your character's name lmao
You're #6 on trending right now, and with the hard work that has gone into every review I have seen on your channel. I can see why. Congratulations!
Been eagerly awaiting the reviews for this game to drop. It's been my most anticipated game since it was announced but have been trying to temper my excitement so that I wouldnt get too disappointed if it turned out poorly. So glad to hear it's getting good reviews. Feels like a sigh of relief as much as excitement.
You described how I’ve been feeling too. I was scared to get my hopes up so I didn’t. Love the Potter universe too much to have my heart crushed. I’m beyond thrilled the devs have delivered on their promises and then some!
I love that things in class are not just add-ons. Sounds like a real part of the world. Excited about this.
ACG is one of THE best reviewers on the platform without a doubt, especially when you're skeptical about buying games because you either have a budget or have to save up in order to buy new releases
Generally I go to ACG when I’m not sure about a game because the reviews are really well rounded.
True. I mostly rely on him and SkillUp to gauge whether or not a game is worth my time and money. Honest, no bullshit, to the point, and no inane numeric rating system but a clear-cut, simple recommendation.
Thank you for this! This game is definitely getting a platinum for me at least on the PS5 physical disc deluxe edition! Excited to get into Hogwarts. 😍
I actually pre-ordered this because I was excited to play it I'm glad I did and definitely seems worth the money which sadly is not always the case anymore.
I was so worried about this game being another over hyped mess but I'm so happy to see that the game seems to be favorable work most people!!
Comparing the open world to a mullet was absolute poetry.
@ACG How you come up with the metaphors and similes that you do is masterful use of imagination and the English language.
@ACG crap like this is why you are my favorite reviewer. Ever
It really is too
Fantastic, thorough review. I've heard they're making a sequel and possibly a TV show too. Very cool.
I would've really liked to hear about PC controls specifically, how the default mapping is, can you re-bind keys, and does it feel okay or is it basically built around a controller? Anyway thanks for the review.
You can rebind keys freely. PC controls are a bit clunky but okay once you get used to them. You'll need to play around a bit to figure out what works best for you though
This is a great example of why your reviews are my go to when it comes to deciding on a game. No bs, just the game and how it is presented
It's the opposite for me. This game was dry af. The first few hours were decent and then it just stagnates and lacks any bit of an rpg mechanic with like 5 bland enemy types and a filler episode story.
Interesting that the game looks so amazing, and much better than what we saw in trailers and previews. Normally it goes the other way! Worth buying for the ability to visit the Hogwarts world alone. Glad they made the game and story great too.
Always a great review from you. My #1 source for trusted reviews, period. Very excited for this game.
I just can't express how great it is that you cover sound. So many reviewers don't even consider tackling it. Not everyone has an ear for sound, but its such an important part of a game.
@Wintermute Not at all. That's just how the overly sensitive people took it. You, on the other hand, seem up in arms about it.
@Will Bearheart No dude, you were just being weirdly aggro for no reason. Chill a bit.
Agreed. Sound is often not given the credit it deserves, but what Skyrim or Witcher veteran doesn't instantly feel transported when they hear the theme music?
@Jonathan S. Cry about it.
@Will Bearheart cringe
As always, just amazing content. Thank ACG for this review.
Honestly it looks A LOT better than I expected, and likely a lot of people expected.
I'm so surprised that this game is actually challengeable and enjoyable. I pre-ordered it but now I'm so happy that it's so good
Really love your style of writing reviews. I got a good chuckle out of comments like "a Ron-Weasley type broom" and the MC's parents spending too long at a free love festival lol.
I don't normally pre-order games in fear that they will fall flat for my hard earned money, but this game was a different story. So excited to play early with the Delux edition! Thanks for the great review and further settling my head that I made the right choice in pre-ordering.
Just to point out, don't preorder, separate from the controversy. Preordering enables companies to fund development studios less and create time constraints in the future. Also emphasis on company, as they are the ones publishing the game not making the game there's a difference
@Benjamin Perez very much so worth it, the game is amazing
Soo... worth it?
I love that you include your time played in these reviews. That’s a big help - especially for an open world game. Hearing that it still felt fresh after that amount of time is a huge Pro on my list.
ok
That's one of best features on Xbox Game Pass on PC. It shows you the average completion time, the average longplay completion time and the average 100% playtime.
I have never been so happy to hear your verdict. Thank God we got a decent, completed game for once.
Thanks for a well thought out,honest, and thorough review.
I'm not sure if he mentioned it but I think what would make this game fun is if you had your own sorcery room where you create your own spells and armor and collectibles and trophies hanging up.
They actually do give you your own room (room of requirement) that you can customize and add earned items, brew potions etc.
Never was a Potter fan, but this just seems like a pinnacle of gaming, wizard sim, world building and exploration a cool huge castle. Cant wait to play it tomorrow!
@Wasp are hereNot everyone has to agree that a man saying they are woman should be able to use a bathroom near a little girl and vice versa is ok
@Allister, The Eldritch Meme God as long as your not a trans woman sure..
@Wasp are here it's comments like yours that make me want to buy the game even if I don't ever play it
@Wasp are here You're why I bought this game. Thanks, I wouldn't have played this great game otherwise.
This review alone just made my year. The only review I need to know that I won't be disappointed in the game I've always wanted.
Congrats man. Just hope Homeworld 3 and starfield also knock it out of the park.
The game was never in my attention after delays, and just let it since I'm busy w/ other games. It's always a welcome and worth the wait
@Thor Shumate Yeah, it's not as good as Battlefield V, but it is good now
Your whole life has been leading up to this huh? Looking forward to your "post" years.
A game review made your year?
ACG reviews are a game changer, no pun intended! Just bought Hogwarts Legacy. Tons of fun!
I hope that this game serves as a foundation for later games for the franchise.
With so many disappointing titles having released over the past few months or so, it's refreshing to see a game that actually manages to live up to its hype. Despite being a smaller company, Avalanche Software has a lot of heart and passion for what they do. Hogwarts Legacy is proof of that. I can easily overlook the lack of facial customization options and texture pop in when everything is so well made. The game is gorgeous, and it's nicely detailed. Combat is challenging and varied. There is a lot of content and a lot of things to do. Voice acting is solid. I'm glad that audio was covered in the review because there are reviewers out there who simply don't discuss it for some reason. Voice acting, music, sound effects, and ambient sounds are all vital when it comes to sound design, and I really appreciate the fact that you covered them in the review. I definitely look forward to picking Howarts Legacy, even though I'm not really a fan of Harry Potter, which says something about the quality of the game and the hard work that Avalanche Software put into it. Thanks once again, Karak, for another honest, unbiased, and detailed review! I really appreciate the continued hard work! Keep it up! God bless and stay safe!
Y’all still hype modern day video games? 😂
Sounds amazing! I'll grab it in the summer. I have too many other open-world games to start first. Can't wait to see this game first hand
I really hope they didn't buy him off for this good review, because this has me excited.
Blurring potential spoilers is always such an appreciated move. Great review!
@Luke Skywalker nah it’s actually true i bet the the game trust me bro
@creaminthebank THATS NOT TRUE THATS IMPOSSIBLE
Professor fig ends up being the wamping willow in disguise and professor black is an animagus and turns into aragogs wife
@Luke Skywalker …and your father is Darth Vader. Back at you right there brother!!!!
Finally a game that was always going to be hyped might actually deliver. A rare occasion these days.
This game is such a breath of fresh air in an era of games that overpromise and underdeliver.
ok
ok
ok
@Jordan no
Bot comment
this is the review i was waiting for. i had my doubts about how good the game was actually going to be behind te hype and your reviews are the only ones i trust.
This looks really, really promising. Been a while since I last touched a Harry Potter game, last one being the Quiddich game on PS2. Thanks again Karak for your helpful review!
fantastic review, glad you and skillup still roll these out like its no effort.
Im so happy this game seems well made and get favorable reviews. Just for the sanity of devs.
@Netanel Aker Good
@Robert Wilson 42%
@Drip .
She donates to anti trans communities.
Hello
I love that this game is being so well received and is estimated to be an absolute smash hit
Wouldn’t say it been completely well received. Watch out for random spoilers. People have been posting them in protest. I accidentally stumbled on some via random memes. What can I say? Memes are my crutch.
Thank you for your reviews. One of the few reviewers that can be still trusted imo. Now I feel more comfortable buying this game. 👌👌👌👌
I was waiting for you. I don't use "trust" for youtube, but I swear you earn it with every video. All the thanks man. Always consistent with the information and delivery! I AM READY to go down this rabbit hole!
The only review I was waiting for and as always worth it! Thank you 👍🇦🇺🌟
The game seems very happy for a lack of a better word. I'm really hoping there's horror elements here. I want it to feel eerie, creepy, dark and so on.
Imagine if combat worked this way in Harry Potter movies, people getting juggled and thrown around (or smashed multiple times on the ground) and Harry knowing more than 3 spells throughout all his education
Can we just take a moment to applaud the quality of this 4k capture. Good lord, it's pristine!
Its crazy to think that a development studio who's last game was Cars 3. Was able to achieve something like this.
Even if I have very little relationship with the IP, aside of the movies, I am happy the HP fans finally have a good triple A game, I even want to try myself later on.
This is the first game I've bought day one since Fallout 4. It's downloading now, and I actually feel excited for a game. Haven't felt that joy in years, and I don't even like Harry Potter that much but this game just looks beautiful and fun.
Thank you for giving us such great and honest reviews!
One question is can we venture around the entire castle and rooms?
I have been playing for about 4 hours in total since last night, and you most certainly can. Almost every room is open (with the exception of locked doors that have level locks and other common rooms). I have been exploring the castle alone 75% of that time...which should tell you a lot. :)
I have to say, I really like the number values for damage are digestible, so to speak. I get the Vegas-style glam for every one-hit skeleton in Vampire Survivors being worth 3 billion points, but just seeing the number "6" pop up for a direct wand hit in this video honestly hit just right; when another hit shows "30," it does feel that much more clear how significant it is.
I appreciate smaller numbers. I also like when they start small and grow appropriately. (When you get to 100k and 1m it starts to feel pretty silly.) In a lot of JRPGs, the general size of your damage numbers grew throughout the game naturally, offering a sort of global reference for how powerful you were. Like Final Fantasy, going from small 2-digit numbers through 3-digit and up to 9999 as you progress. On the flipside, ARPGs like Horizon Zero Dawn might see 2-digit normal attacks and 3-digit hard hits with a much smaller increase from beginning to endgame, and it also works. Hogwarts Legacy seems more in line with the latter. We'll know from experience soon enough!
@Purvdragon-sensei yeah the numbers mean nothing then. Oh I'm able to do a more difficult greater rift while having no idea what the numbers popping up on screen mean
Diablo 3 damage numbers.....
This is how the Dragon Quest series has always approached damage values, and it's appreciated.
As a person who's grown up reading the books and playing the games, I'm so happy to see how well this game was made. It's complex with it's dueling system, you get freedom of exploration but also the fun experience of going to school with adolescent witches and wizards. It isn't perfect (no Quidditch?) but it's a damn great game and makes you feel like you're apart of the world.
No Quidditch really hurts tbh, especially since the broom flying is SO damn on point. It feels exactly like you'd think it should feel.
I really do hope they will eventually patch it in or make it an expansion or whatever.
So....I can't believe that the games to help facilitate us from these dark gaming days are Dead Space and Hogwarts. I love the fact that Dead Space has been absolutely stunning of a remake and Hogwarts looks to be a banger of a game. Thanks for the review!
Thanks ACG, I really appreciate having a reviewer that I trust. You’ve never done me wrong!
50hrs into the game and I love it. I think this may be my new favorite game.
These reviews are the best man, not too spoilery and give the info I need. I genuinely thought this would be another boring Ubisoft style open world with millions of icons and dead world, but this review convinced me to buy it.
You and SkillUp are my most trusted opinions online and If at least one of you is really into a game, I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy it. If you're both really into it, even better! But just hearing your reaction alone lets me know that this is the game I hope it would be and looking forward to diving in.
@JZ He was more diplomatic. That's all. Not like John from digital foundry that he shamed his self very badly with what he said on twitter. Truth is there is some kind of war on the internet about this game. Very weird behaviours. I myself got the game and think is very very good. There is no way someone can find big flaws other than technical issues.
@Pete Oliva FH5 is definitely a good game, I still play it...but the reviews overall paint FH5 as the best FH ever and it just isn't.
@Pete Oliva It wasn't a terrible game, but he failed to mention the broken promises that CD Project Red made for the game. There was supposed to be all these different mechanics such as wall-running, vehicle combat, etc.. and the open world was supposed to be truly alive with NPC's having schedules. The decisions that you make throughout the game had very little impact on the world as well. I dunno, I get how some people enjoyed the game, but when I played it, all I could think was "Is this all there is?." Glad you enjoyed it tho :)
Skillup tends a bit left on politics so I'm not surprised at all that he's dodging a review on this so he doesn't incense the mob if he likes it.
@D V He adored Rollerdrome and so do I. I hated Deathloop after not believing it could be that bad and bought it anyway and I should have listened to him. FH5 is an amazing racing game despite having no soul.
I was never a Harry Potter fan, but this game looks like tons of fun! I may look into getting it for PS5 when it's cheaper. Thank you, as always, for the fantastic review!
This looks pretty good, wondering how it will do on my pc. Might be worth trying on Steam thanks for the review.
Would you recommend playing on hard? Or is normal good enough? I like a challenge but don't like dying in the same area more than like 3 or 4 times lol
Awesome review, always the first place to come for a decent review, thanks. Game does look good, I'll need to see if I want to start another open world game though, I never get round to finishing them!
I've come full circle. Harry Potter had a huge hand in developing my tastes, and to see it flourish into something like this is a childhood dream come true. I can't speak for everyone of course, but personally, this game came at the tail end of an integral shift in my train of thought. I'm 27 now and life is nothing what I thought it would be, for better and worse (in some cases). The Wizarding World has stayed alive in my head through all of it. As for gaming, I've had an ear to the ground for decades at this point and this feels like a good time to slow down and reevaluate my relationship with it, especially considering my backlog of games I've yet to touch or really give the time they deserve. I'm incredibly thankful to have the experiences I've had, and for the opportunity to play this work of love. That said, Hogwarts Legacy will spark my exodus.
@Thomas Jefferson Thanks Tom
Godspeed
@NoBody From what I can tell, life's full of things we deem real or important but are in actuality bread and circuses.
I like bread and circuses lol.
Imagine if your identity had been built on something real lol or your own hidden esoteric history…. Nah bread and circuses instead
I get what you’re saying tho. The wizard world speaks to our collective consciousness for a reason
I'm shocked by how good this looks. I really thought I was going to hold it against them leaving Quidditch out.
You got yourself a PlayStation5.
Im actually surprised... how "complete" this game looks, to be honest I thought it was just going to be a cash grab for just having the Harry Potter IP, I might give this game a try, and as far as customization goes, Im sure the modding community on PC is gonna take care of that haha
The game is brilliant but I do have a few complaints:
The map is really confusing and hard to use for me
A lot of the game feels very confusing
Having to redo your appearance and manually equip every new item is really annoying
The game feels quite slow (I’m only 8 hours in so this might change)
These are not at all deal breakers and I am loving the game but these are just the main issues I am finding
My only concern when i saw the PR stuff was the combat feeling "modernized", but seeing this review really put those concerns to rest.
I was excited for this game pretty much since it was announced, but with all the controversy surrounding it I’ve been questioning whether or not I should get it. But I’m a sucker for a good fantasy world and this game does look pretty damn fun
I'm glad you said something about how the avatar always looks same-ish. I know videogames always use pretty much a similar character base, especially if they use digital face scanning, but in legacy they seem very "Gooback"-ish. 😅
It's like, the characters aren't diverse at all, you can just change how long you've been tanning. 🙄
Oh well.
Ahh, how refreshing to hear this in this age of video games! Thank you, sir.
It's hard to keep excitement for games going when the expectations devs present us with never come to fruition. This video was a great way to start my day.
Thank you for providing an in-depth review that doesn’t spoil specific moments of the game. This is very rare these days
I bought the game based on this review and it's so amazing, one of my favorite games ever.
Yeah, I’ve been waiting for this “review” for a long time. I don’t trust anyone more than ACG when it comes to honesty and depth.
I’m not even a big Potter fan but goddamn it looks incredible, glad to know it lives up more or less.
The Incredible depth and absolute humor in this has won you a subscriber!
The only review I need to see! Thanks man great review as always, can't wait to play the game. I hope there's not bad performance issues (on PC).