Game Review: Hogwarts Legacy - A Modern-Day Return to “The Bully”
From the moment you step into Hogwarts Legacy, it’s clear that this is the most immersive and authentic Wizarding World experience ever created in a video game. Portkey Games has crafted an open-world RPG that captures the magic, mystery, and adventure of J.K. Rowling’s universe while giving players the freedom to carve out their own path as a young witch or wizard. With its engaging story, deep character customization, and dynamic spell-based combat, Hogwarts Legacy delivers an unforgettable journey through the hallowed halls of Hogwarts and beyond.
A Living, Breathing Hogwarts – More Than Just a School
Like Bully—Rockstar’s classic open-world school simulator—Hogwarts Legacy gives players a chance to experience student life in a richly detailed and fully realized academy. The difference? This isn’t just any school—it’s Hogwarts, and it’s alive with secrets, dynamic NPC interactions, and a day-to-night cycle that makes the world feel authentic.
Much like Bully’s class schedule and campus life, Hogwarts Legacy incorporates a school-based routine where players attend potions, herbology, charms, and defense against the dark arts classes. However, Hogwarts Legacy goes a step further by integrating these classes into the overall progression system—learning new spells, brewing potions, and caring for magical creatures all play a role in your development as a wizard.
The freedom to roam the castle at will, exploring secret passageways, discovering hidden lore, and interacting with students from different houses makes this experience feel personal. While Bully allowed players to engage in lighthearted pranks and schoolyard mischief, Hogwarts Legacy expands on this by offering morally complex choices—will you embrace the dark arts or become a model student? The decision is yours.
Spellcasting Combat – Like Bully, but With Wands
Where Bully had an intuitive yet simple combat system—fistfights, slingshots, and stink bombs—Hogwarts Legacy takes this concept and elevates it with a spell-based combat system that feels both strategic and satisfying. Players can chain together spells, dodge incoming attacks, and use the environment to their advantage.
The ability to use Protego (shield spell) to block incoming attacks, counter with Stupefy (stunning spell), and mix in offensive spells like Expelliarmus and Incendio adds a fast-paced and dynamic feel to combat. This is where Hogwarts Legacy really shines—it doesn’t just rely on button-mashing but encourages players to think tactically, combining spells to create devastating combos.
Similarly to Bully’s social interactions, Hogwarts students and faculty react to your actions. If you choose to explore the forbidden arts and experiment with Unforgivable Curses, your reputation in the wizarding world may be affected. It’s this kind of cause-and-effect system that makes Hogwarts Legacy feel immersive and gives weight to your choices.
An Open-World Adventure Beyond Hogwarts
Much like how Bully expanded beyond Bullworth Academy to include towns, carnival attractions, and hidden locations, Hogwarts Legacy extends far beyond the castle walls. Players can explore the Forbidden Forest, uncover ancient secrets hidden in underground ruins, and even visit Hogsmeade—where you can shop for new wands, brew potions, and engage in side quests that add depth to the experience.
The variety of activities is staggering: broom flight adds a thrilling travel mechanic, magical beast taming offers a Pokémon-like collecting experience, and puzzle-solving through ancient wizarding relics brings a sense of discovery. Every corner of the world feels meticulously crafted, making exploration one of the game’s strongest aspects.
Final Verdict – A Love Letter to the Wizarding World
Hogwarts Legacy is the game Harry Potter fans have been waiting for. It captures the essence of life as a young witch or wizard while offering meaningful choices, strategic spellcasting, and an open world full of mysteries. The comparison to Bully is fitting, as both games excel at creating a school-based adventure where players can choose to follow the rules or rebel against them.
With its deep lore, rewarding exploration, and fast-paced magical combat, Hogwarts Legacy is a spellbinding experience that stands as one of the best open-world RPGs in recent years.
Score: 9.5/10 – A magical masterpiece.
