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00:00 Hogwarts Legacy is going to give us a chance to brew potions, fly on brooms and all the
00:12 things we grew up loving in that wizarding world. Think about it, what are you most excited
00:16 about? Dueling with other wizards? Flying on the back of a hippogriff? Herbology or
00:20 something else entirely? Let us know in the comments below, after we've taken a look
00:24 at everything we know about the Harry Potter game that hasn't got Harry Potter in it.
00:30 The Hogwarts Legacy release date hasn't been 100% confirmed, but Warner Bros. Games
00:34 are so far saying it's due to launch in the holiday 2022 window on PlayStation, Xbox,
00:40 PC and Switch. That's after a delay from the original 2021 release date, which the
00:44 developers claimed was to create the best possible experience. However, there are rumours
00:48 that the game's having some trouble and could be delayed even further and see a 2023
00:53 release.
00:54 Sorry, but you won't be getting any Harry, Ron or Hermione action in Legacy as the game
01:00 is set in the late 1800s and Albus Dumbledore himself wasn't born until 1881. So while
01:06 meeting a baby Dumbledore isn't impossible, you won't be crossing paths with any of
01:10 the icons from the books and films. Wait, would baby Dumbledore still have a beard?
01:14 Anyway, Avalanche Studios has been given complete freedom to introduce a whole new cast of characters
01:19 while staying true to the world, so expect a school full of new pupils and teachers.
01:24 Interestingly though, Merlin has been mentioned, so we might get some sort of wizarding royalty
01:28 popping up.
01:31 Hogwarts Legacy will see you playing as a completely customisable character joining
01:37 the school of witchcraft and wizardry late, as a fifth year student. You're also someone
01:41 who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart.
01:46 So it sucks to be you, but is conveniently great for the story. You're capable of manipulating
01:51 mysterious ancient magic and will need to help uncover why this forgotten power has
01:55 suddenly made a resurgent and who's trying to harness it, including a dangerous new villain.
02:02 This is an open world RPG which will let you explore Hogwarts and the surrounding areas,
02:07 including Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest either on foot or by broom. According to the
02:11 developers you'll also be able to experience classic moments like being sorted in the Great
02:15 Hall, exploring a new secret chamber in Hogwarts or impersonating other people with the Polyjuice
02:20 potion.
02:21 There'll even be a chance to fight trolls, dodge fireballs from a Hungarian horntail
02:25 and take to the sky on the back of a friendly hippogriff. You'll even be working alongside
02:29 a character called Professor Fig to investigate a potential goblin rebellion. When you're
02:34 not fighting for your life like any normal Hogwarts student does, you'll be able to visit
02:38 the shops in Hogsmeade to find supplies, clothing and other gear. You can also explore the areas
02:43 on the outskirts too to find puzzles and more danger too.
02:47 You'll be able to choose the Hogwarts house you're sorted into at the start of the game,
02:53 and then play as a 5th year student at Hogwarts, taking classes such as charms, defence against
02:57 the dark arts, herbology and potions. In between studies you'll be able to explore Hogwarts
03:01 complete with its trademark secrets, enchantments and other mysteries and puzzles. The room
03:06 of requirement will become a frequent haunt for example, as a kind of base where you'll
03:10 be able to catch up with your studies away from the classrooms. You'll have space to
03:14 grow plants, brew potions and even collect magical beasts in fully customisable vivariums.
03:22 In terms of combat, you'll be using a combination of spells and potions to take on your attackers.
03:27 You'll need to master the shield spell or stunning charms to counter attack, while learning
03:31 to chain together spell combinations and finishes to win a fight. There are dozens of spells
03:35 to learn that will help you define your own attacking style, and potions to help increase
03:39 your power. You can even summon plants to help you in the battle if that's your thing.
03:44 As this is an RPG there are talents, upgrades and skills to unlock, and levels that define
03:48 your character's progress, as well as gear to be looted, crafted and purchased. You'll
03:52 also have student companions that you'll be able to find on your journey, and if that
03:56 journey goes down a dark path, you'll be able to use a vada kadava, the killing curse
04:00 and one of the unforgivable curses, so not exactly something to be taken lightly. It's
04:05 definitely not going to be a simple spell you can learn in your first term, or one without
04:08 big consequences for using it, but it is very interesting that it is in the game.
04:15 Hogwarts Legacy will not include microtransactions, with a tweet from the community manager Chandler
04:19 Wood stating that "We've seen this question coming up and want to set the record straight.
04:24 There are no microtransactions in Hogwarts Legacy." It's good news after some of the
04:28 gameplay revealed timers on potion brewing that had a real "pay to complete now"
04:32 vibe.
04:33 So that's all the information we have on Hogwarts Legacy right now. What Hogwarts house
04:35 are you going to choose? Will you be using the killing curse? And most importantly, how
04:39 quickly are you going to run to Hogsmeade to get a pint of butterbeer? Let us know in
04:43 the comments below.
04:47 (electronic music)
04:50 (sighs)