News game Hogwarts Legacy: black magic, open world … What should not be missed during the presentation of the gameplay of the Harry Potter game
Published on 12/15/2022 at 06:30
After a first edition on November 11, Hogwarts Legacy offered a second gameplay showcase. For 45 minutes, we were able to discover three new aspects of the game’s gameplay: flight, the Room of Requirement and advanced combat mechanics. From the detailed presentation of the gameplay to the end-of-show questions, here is everything to remember from this new event dedicated to the game in the Harry Potter universe.
As we know, Hogwarts Legacy will take us outside the castle. A priori, the map should be large enough, or at least too extensive to be able to simply walk from point A to point B. Sorry if you have vertigo, but you will have to take a little height and fly so as not to make these movements a little too long. But for that, it is still necessary that these phases in flight are interesting. And that’s good, since this is the first point raised during this presentation. So how is it going ? Once outside, you can simply pull out your broom with a simple touch and soar through the air.
But beware, our adventure takes place long before those of Harry Potter. The brushes are therefore not as advanced as the Nimbus 2000 for example. Thus, the small gauge at the bottom right is there to show the maximum speed you can reach. The higher you go in the air, the more it is reduced, forcing you to experience ground level environments most of the time and not by flying over them and thus missing a good part of the elements placed on the path. Note that it will be possible to improve your broom (and therefore fly faster in height) by interacting with the manager of the broom shop in Hogsmeade. Cosmetic elements will also allow you to customize yours to your liking. And if the speed limit seems too restrictive and you want to gain even more height, note that mounts capable of flying (like the hippogriff) are not restricted in this way.
In addition to the flight mechanics, this little getaway in the air allowed us to get a glimpse of the open-world around Hogwarts. If the corridors of the school of witchcraft had convinced last month, the surrounding nature also makes you want to get lost there. Between the old mills, the mountains in the distance, the rivers, the marshes, or the hamlets, the world of Hogwarts Legacy has very different biomes to offer us. Note also that the hamlets will bring a little life to your trips, and this outside Hogsmeade which is, as we recall, the only village on the outskirts of Hogwarts. These places will be an opportunity to talk to wizards, discover new things about ancient magic, launch side quests, challenges to complete, secrets to unearth. According to the busy mini-map, we shouldn’t be bored in Hogwarts Legacy!
According to the developers, the areas outside the school will be accessible fairly quickly. From there, you can roam freely without any limits. Another little information: the world will change with the seasons. Thus, as Christmas approaches, you will be able to see a blanket of snow settle on the landscape. The developers took the opportunity to confirm that the interior of the castle will also change depending on the period. Expect cute decorations just like in the movies for the various holidays, from Halloween to Christmas.
Ancient magic, black magic… In combat, what happens?
During the first gameplay showcase, we had a first glimpse of the fights. We then discovered the shortcuts, the different types of spells, the defense and the enemy protection system. But the developers then present had consciously decided not to give more information about the small gauge standing just above the life bar. This wrong has been righted with this new gameplay presentation! As expected, this gauge will allow you to perform more powerful attacks. It calls itself the ancient magic gauge and to fill it you can perform combos, protect yourself at the right time, pick up boosts etc.
As you progress through the game and learn more about ancient magic, new special attacks can be learned, just like more basic spells. And from what we’ve seen, this ancient magic looks extremely powerful, almost as powerful as black magic. And yet, with Avada Kedavra, the latter offers you the possibility of killing your enemies in one shot, regardless of the type of enemies. Cheating you say? Rest assured the cool down for this very powerful spell will be all the more important. And if you hope to be able to spam this Unforgivable Spell without too many limits, you have a possibility: the concentration potion which reduces the cool down of spells.
Because yes, tools will be made available to you to facilitate the fights. Whether plants or potions, they give you defense or attack bonuses. During the presentation, we were told in particular about the concentration potion, but also about the rocky skin potion (very effective against trolls for example) and Wiggenweld as well as the Mandrake. All these elements make it possible to offer a combat system that is quite advanced and allows you to try out different combat styles. Note that to show us all this, the developers took us to the arena of black magic, the one located in the Forbidden Forest and available with the Deluxe version of the game. This allowed us to discover a wide range of different enemies, ranging from wizard to troll to poisonous tentacle. If you haven’t fallen for this version, don’t worry: you will still have access to two arenas in the game. Overcoming these arenas will also allow you to unlock cosmetic elements only.
What is the Room of Requirement for?
Back in the grounds of Hogwarts with a room that still gives opportunities for travel: the Room of Requirement. We have known for a while now that the latter will not only be accessible in-game, but will serve as a real HQ for our young wizard. And you can even have it modeled in your image. Thanks to the different architectures and the invocations of furniture, you will be able to arrange this room as you wish. Choose the size, color and layout… Everything is possible and it’s even quite impressive.
But this furniture will not only be used to look pretty. As we said, there will be a host of activities. You will be able to grow plants and make potions, which will be usable in combat as we saw above. Another advantage to use in combat: equipment allowing you to benefit from magic advantages. And you will be able to identify, equip and upgrade them in the Room of Requirement as well. But if some of this equipment will be found in game through quests or challenges, others will have to be crafted. And that’s where magical creatures come in.
Through your (or rather your) vivarium, you will indeed be able to collect several fantastic animals. Where to find them? Well be aware that lairs of creatures in danger are scattered across the open-world. It is here that you will find beasties to save (Veaudelune, Niflleur, Fléreur, Grapecorne…) and to bring to your vivarium. Once there, you will have to feed them, pet them or amuse them with different objects. By increasing your bond of trust with them, you will obtain resources to craft equipment. As a reminder, some of these creatures, such as the Grapecorn, can be used as mounts. Once again, the different vivariums will be unlocked throughout the story and can be completely personalized. Also note that your friend Poppy, a great animal defender, will also be able to stick her nose in there and allow you to unlock new things.
Once again, we are left with a particularly dense and interesting showcase gameplay. Enough to take your troubles patiently until the game is released. As a reminder, the title is scheduled for February 10, 2023 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series, but has just been postponed to April 4 on PS4 and Xbox One. The Nintendo Switch version is scheduled for July 25, February. For owners of a new-gen PC or console, there are therefore only two months left to wait. Until then, we can expect new information, especially regarding the various teachers who have begun to be presented. Who knows, maybe even a new gameplay presentation will show up around January 11-14. After all, doesn’t the adage say “never two without three”? This would be an opportunity to explain this ending teaser to us, which inevitably reminds us of Tom Riddle’s diary. Horcrux or collector’s book? A stroll between the pages of the past as in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets? Only the future will tell us…
About Hogwarts Legacy: Hogwarts Legacy
