JK Rowling’s wizarding universe got a major video game adaption in Hogwarts Legacy.
Some Harry Potter enthusiasts have had their hearts set on an open world adventure game for a while.
It is believed to be the most popular premium release of 2023.
The amount of individuals who have seen streamers play preview copies of the title has already broken records. According to reports, 1.3 million individuals were reportedly viewing game-related material on Twitch at one point.
What’s in the game?
In the game, players go to the same school that Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger attended, although it is set in the 1800s rather than today.
You can fly around on a broomstick, discover the castle, learn how to cast spells, battle enormous spiders, and gather a variety of hats and scarves to wear as you go.
The game has received mostly favorable reviews. Review aggregate Metacritic gave the PlayStation 5 version an 86% rating.
Reviews & technicalities
Keza MacDonald, The Guardian’s games editor has different views. She wrote, “Hogwarts Legacy derives its magic from its setting, not from its game design, which is competent but unspectacular.”
Its setting and magical moments, she said, “save it from mediocrity, but only if the Wizarding World still has you under its spell,” but she added that the game feels too similar to others in the genre to actually stand out.
It’s obvious that the designers have put a lot of effort into modernizing the environment. There are extensive choices for character customization for all racial groups, as well as homosexual and trans representation in the non-playable characters.
Travis Northup, a reviewer for US-based IGN, a portal covering entertainment and game related stories, wrote, “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.”
He pointed out some technical issues, an uninspiring main story, and some weak enemy variation.
The controversy
The game however has created a controversy which has the Hogwarts creator JK Rowling embroiled in it.
Some people are urging a boycott due to Rowling’s public remarks on transgender issues. However, some have resisted the boycott, claiming that playing the game does not obligate one to agree with the author’s viewpoints.
Rowling has asserted in the past that her wealth is evidence that her views don’t repel audiences.
She has spoken out against the marginalisation of women and opening up single-sex spaces to transgender persons. But her critics say that with this transgenders’ “identity is diminished”. She has, however, stated that she is an advocate for trans rights and wants transgender individuals to be treated with respect and dignity.
She said, in 2020, “My life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so. She added, “I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
Sebastian Croft, who played Heartstopper in the game, withdrew just weeks before its release. As a result, the majority of the conversation around the game’s release has, up to this point, focused on demands for a boycott.
Eva Echo, a trans activist, believes it’s critical for people to recognise the intensity of the LGBTQ+ community’s emotions. In her words, “By purchasing the game, you’re sending a clear message that it is taking precedence over the lives of trans people.
Twitch streamer and YouTube creator Zannah is one of those who is refusing to play the game.
