Hogwarts Legacy for PlayStation 4

An excellent PS4 port of the best Harry Potter game ever made

Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world RPG set in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Developed by Portkey Games and Avalanche Software, this magical adventure lands on the PlayStation 4 with a solid port for Sony’s previous generation console. Considered one of the best HP games ever released, Hogwarts Legacy sets you on a thrilling adventure that will take you from the well-known grounds of the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to the depths of Azkaban. 

With a gripping story full of twists and turns, secrets to uncover and all the charm of J.K Rowling’s beloved fantasy world, Hogwarts Legacy is a dream come true to any fan of the Potterverse. Is this port as extraordinary as its PS5, PC and Xbox Series X counterparts or does it simply fail at delivering the magic? Keep reading to find out if Hogwarts Legacy is worth it on PS4.

Story: A brand new tale in the Harry Potter Universe

Hogwarts Legacy is set in the 19th Century, 100 years before the birth of The Boy Who Lived. Here we’ll take on the role of a new Hogwarts student that will be admitted to the school during the fifth year. While this has happened a few times, it’s something very uncommon that already foresees that our witch or wizard is meant to do great things. But that’s not all, we’ll also be able to feel, use and see Ancient Magic, a mysterious power that only a few wizards throughout history have been able to use.

As you can see, Hogwarts Legacy isn’t your standard Potter game. While some names and faces, such as Professor Weasley or Black, will definitely ring a bell to all the Potterverse enthusiasts, the rest of the story is a blank slate that will introduce a new and original adventure. Don’t let that disappoint you though. Even if you won’t be fighting Lord Voldermort and his Death Eaters, you’ll immerse yourself in a mysterious and magical plot involving ancient conspiracies, magical creatures and a rebellion waiting to happen.

Gameplay: A great open-world experience

Hogwarts Legacy is the first open-world game based on the world of Harry Potter. After a long introduction, we’ll be given the chance to explore to our heart’s content the famous school of Witchcraft and Wizardry as well as its surrounding areas. Whether it's running, on a broomstick or riding a hippogriff, exploring Hogwarts’ grounds is an absolute delight. The school itself is an excellent portrayal of everything we read in the books or enjoyed in the movies. From the moving staircases to the living portraits, Hogwarts is full of magic. The same can be said from the rest of the areas we’ll be able to visit. The Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade, the school’s surrounding hamlets or even Azkaban will be there. If you are a fan of this fantasy universe, you will definitely smile in awe at how caring Avalanche has  been in recreating Rowling’s world.

The humongous map of Hogwarts Legacy is full to things to do and missions to complete. There are literally hundreds of quests awaiting you around every corner, promising hours of fun. All of these will be unique and no matter how short some might be, they all have a storyline, so say goodbye to the classic Ubisoft-style fetch-quests seen in games like Assassin’s Creed or Watch Dogs. These quests won’t just advance the story, some of these side missions will create a bond with your fellow Hogwarts’ students. So if you want to get to know your classmates and forge a friendship with them, this is your chance. If you’re looking for an open-world game as deep as the ones in The Witcher 3 or Red Dead Redemption 2, we can happily say Hogwarts Legacy won’t disappoint.

Scattered around the world you’ll also find hundreds of puzzles to solve. While these can’t be considered quests on their own, they will grant you plenty of collectibles as well as new equipment and clothing for your character. These are also a great way to earn XP and money. Simply use Revelio around Hogwarts and you’ll likely find new riddles and puzzles that will keep you entertained for hours and hours. These collectables can be used and displayed in the Room of Requirement, your own customizable central hub where you can keep your pet beasts, grow your own plants and even brew potions.

Combat: A thrilling and challenging dueling system

Clearly inspired by the combat system from  Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham series, Hogwarts Legacy brings spells and magical fights to the next level. Whether you’re fighting Ranrok’s henchmen or dueling some random Malfoy, the thrill of its combat and defense spells will trigger heart-racing combos that will leave you wanting more and more. These require not just fast reflexes but also knowing your way with your spells. Dodging is also crucial if you want to survive, making every single combat an amazing choreography that you’ll need to follow step by step if you want to emerge victorious.

Graphics: Hogwarts Legacy still looks great on PS4

Being a port of a next-gen game, it’s only normal to doubt Hogwarts' Legacy graphics quality on the PS4. We’re glad to say that the results are great. The game maintains all the magic, beautiful sights and great textures that its PS5 counterpart has. While the visuals suffered some cuts, they aren’t very noticeable except for its duller and less shiny lighting effects. All animations and overall beauty of the game is still there. The game plays smoothly at 900p and 30 fps, without noticeable frame drops. It’s still a real pleasure to explore Hogwarts in all its glory. The main drawback? The game’s loading times, reaching up to 20 seconds. However, if we ignore this, it’s an excellent port that will bring a world of magic to all gamers that still don’t own a PS5.

Can you play Quidditch in Hogwarts Legacy?

No, you can’t play Quidditch in Hogwarts Legacy nor are there plans for DLC that will add it to the game. This is likely due the imminent release of Quidditch Champions, a new game focusing on this sport.

How long is Hogwarts Legacy?

Hogwarts Legacy’s main story is about 35 hours long. However, if you aspire to complete 100% of the game objectives you’ll have to spend around 67 hours exploring the vast map of this amazing game.

A great port that will please any Harry Potter fan

Hogwarts Legacy on the PlayStation 4 manages to maintain all its magic in this extraordinary port. Bewitchingly beautiful and with great gameplay, the game is an absolute delight for everyone that grew up reading the adventures of The Boy Who Lived. If you’ve been waiting for a Hogwarts letter all your life, this is your chance to fulfill your dreams. You won’t regret it.