Developed by Avalanche Software, Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world action RPG set in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, prior to the events of the main books. Hogwarts Legacy was met with an incredible reception, with fans and critics alike solidifying its status as the best Harry Potter game to date. The game is brimming with fantastic beasts, powerful spells, and secret locations, all of which are bound to keep players intrigued for a long while.
The open-world map of Hogwarts Legacy was an ambitious decision and one that made for an excellent setting for the game's many side quests. The game features numerous places that are explored in the Harry Potter books and movies, including some of the most iconic locations from the Harry Potter universe.
7 The Common Rooms
The common rooms of Hogwarts have always been one of the most iconic things about the wizarding school, and to finally be able to step into not just the Gryffindor or Slytherin rooms, but also the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff rooms is beyond mesmerizing for fans. While the movies have featured Harry and the gang discussing events in the Gryffindor common room several times, and Malfoy and his lot plotting against the heroes in the Slytherin common room, the other school houses and rooms have not received the same attention.
In Hogwarts Legacy, however, each room has its own distinct personality and is brimming with minor details and secrets. From unique banners to stylish interiors, loads of portraits, and much more, each room has been wonderfully recreated in Hogwarts Legacy.
6 The Great Hall
The Great Hall is a place of immense nostalgia for Harry Potter fans, as they have had the pleasure of watching many moments unfold in this very hall. Seeing it beautifully recreated in Hogwarts Legacy is a treat, with the long spanning tables, the roof that mimics the sky above, hundreds of floating candles, and food that magically appears on the table.
Fans of the series cannot help but reminisce on the iconic moments from the Harry Potter movies where Dumbledore would occasionally award points to the different houses and name the winners of the House Cup. Stepping into the Great Hall in Hogwarts Legacy feels simply enchanting.
5 The Quidditch Pitch
Hogwarts Legacy does not offer players the chance to play the popular wizarding game of Quidditch. However, the game still features the iconic Quidditch Pitch where players can at least pretend to play the sport while flying on their broomsticks. The developers have put great effort into recreating the pitch, so much so that it makes fans feel robbed when they realize that they cannot play the game itself.
Nonetheless, the Quidditch Pitch in Hogwarts Legacy is an excellent location that fans of the series are bound to find captivating. The pitch was featured in multiple movies throughout the series, first appearing in Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone and last appearing in The Half-blood Prince.
4 Hogsmeade Village
The Hogsmeade Village was first featured in Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban and has been wonderfully recreated in Hogwarts Legacy. The village offers a glimpse into the lives of wizards and witches that have entered adulthood. Hogsmeade offers a variety of quests for players to embark on, while also featuring many different shops including Tomes and Scrolls, Ollivanders, J. Pippin’s Potions, and The Magic Neep.
Like the Hogwarts Castle itself, Hogsmeade Village has also been recreated with great detail. The architecture of the village emanates a very cozy vibe, making it thoroughly enjoyable for players who decide to walk its cobbled streets.
3 Hogsmeade Station
In Hogwarts Legacy, players start their journey at Hogwarts by directly entering the castle aboard a flying carriage. Due to this, the iconic Hogwarts Express and Diagon Alley do not make an appearance in the game. However, Hogwarts Legacy still features the Hogsmeade Station where students first get off the train to reach the school grounds.
The station can be visited later on in the game and has been beautifully recreated. Trains can be seen coming and going from the station and the location even features a balloon-popping quest for players to indulge in.
2 The Black Lake
The Black Lake is another iconic location in the Harry Potter series and has been featured multiple times. After the arrival of the first years at Hogsmeade station, Hagrid would take them on self-rowing boats through the lake to Hogwarts castle. In the game, players are able to swim in the Lake and can also fly over it on their broomsticks to enjoy its beauty.
The lake is home to many weird creatures, with the most iconic being a giant squid. Sadly, players cannot explore the entire underwater body of the lake to uncover all of its mysteries, though the giant squid does occasionally pop out of the water. One iconic scene that comes to mind regarding The Black Lake is one in which Harry had to use Expecto Patronum to save Hermione and his past self from death eaters in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
1 The Forbidden Forest
The Forbidden Forest may not be so forbidden in Hogwarts Legacy, as players can go in and out as they please, but the location still emanates the same dark vibes as it did in the movies. The Forbidden Forest is home to various magical creatures and creepy crawlies, including spiders, centaurs, and unicorns, making it very dangerous to roam about in.
The Forest was first featured in Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone when Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Malfoy received detention under the guardianship of Hagrid. Fans of the series will also remember the iconic scene from Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix where Umbridge gets accosted by a pack of menacing centaurs.