Avalanche Software has hosted its second Gameplay Showcase event for Hogwarts Legacy, showcasing the Harry Potter game's combat and flight in the open world. Hogwarts Legacy's February 10 release date is growing nearer and nearer, and that means Hogwarts Legacy is becoming that much more complete. Avalanche is now ready to give an in-depth look at some of Hogwarts Legacy's more exciting and complex features.What's perhaps most exciting about Hogwarts Legacy, more than any single feature or gameplay mechanic, is that it's a fully open world based in the Harry Potter universe. This will be the most robust opportunity to experience the magical world of Harry Potter from a player's perspective. Avalanche is well aware of that opportunity, and as such is focusing on gameplay based on what Harry Potter fans will want to do. Flying with a broomstick, battling against the dark arts, and discovering the Room of Requirement are just some examples.A lengthy showcase of Hogwarts Legacy's open world and flight kicked off the new gameplay video from Avalanche. It starts with the player on their broom, flying through the wilderness. The developers, meanwhile, confirm details like stamina bars preventing the player from climbing too high into the air which can be upgraded by purchasing new brooms in Hogsmeade. Brooms aren't the only thing that can fly in Hogwarts Legacy, though. The hippogriff mount pre-order bonus is also shown, as is the Dark Arts DLC's thestral.
The next section of the video focuses on combat in Hogwarts Legacy, or more specifically the game's Battle Arenas. There will be two Battle Arenas in Hogwarts Legacy, with a third included in the Dark Arts DLC bundled in the Deluxe Edition. Players will take on waves of enemies in these Battle Arenas and completing them will reward special cosmetics. Some of the action in the Dark Arts Battle Arena is shown, including different spells, tools like potions, combos, and using spell types to counter attacks and break enemy shields.
The last focus of the Hogwarts Legacy video is the Room of Requirement. This will serve as the player's base of operations in Hogwarts Legacy and can be personalized in fun ways. Multiple options for the room's architecture and decorations will be available. The room also serves as a location for crafting stations, too, for brewing potions, upgrading gear, and growing plants, among other things. There's even an "outdoor" area for breeding and keeping beasts.
What stands out about the Hogwarts Legacy gameplay, across all areas of the game, is the magical touch that's gone into the game's visual presentation. Whether it's flying, combat, or menu-heavy crafting, the player is shown interacting with everything with an immersive flair. Objects are summoned with a wand and a magical spell, keeping the experience immersive as much as possible. Whether the game feels fun to play remains to be seen, but visually Hogwarts Legacy is delivering a Harry Potter experience unlikely any other.
Hogwarts Legacy releases on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on February 10, 2023, followed by a PS4 and Xbox One release on April 4, 2023, and a Switch launch July 25, 2023.
