Although Hogwarts Legacy isn't set to release until February 2023, its developers have already started to showcase many of the iconic Harry Potter areas included in the game. From the easily recognizable Great Hall to less prominently featured areas such as Hogwarts' Potions Classroom, fans of both the book series and the film adaptations should have plenty of familiar places to explore. Some of Hogwarts Legacy's wizarding world locations, though, seem to be more anticipated than others.
The game doesn't just take place on the grounds of Hogwarts itself, though the Hogwarts Legacy unauthorized guide teased many castle secrets for players to discover. Given that Hogwarts Legacy takes place during a unique time period for the franchise, there will undoubtedly be brand-new venues throughout the game. Additionally, sharp-eyed Harry Potter fans have spotted locations throughout Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest while scouring the game's trailers, and it's probable that more will be gradually revealed as the official launch draws closer. Although the game has suffered significantly from delays thanks to production shake-ups, many prospective players are more optimistic now that the February 10 release date appears set in stone.
Hagrid's Hut Makes A Cameo Appearance In Hogwarts Legacy
The game takes place long before the events of the Harry Potter films or novels. Hogwarts Legacy is set in the 1800s, and as a result, many of the franchise's most beloved characters won't be making an appearance. This includes Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper. Despite his absence, however, fans will still be able to find a nod to him on the castle grounds. Footage from the trailers shows a familiar hut located near the entrance to the Forbidden Forest. While it more than likely houses the current gamekeeper during the time of Hogwarts Legacy, it could still be visitable and include nods to its later occupant. Perhaps it could even serve as a convenient resting place in-between visits to the Forbidden Forest.
Hogwarts Legacy Brings Harry Potter's Common Rooms To Life
The Hogwarts Common Rooms drew quite a bit of attention when they were first revealed in Hogwarts Legacy. Since Hogwarts Legacy won't sort players into Houses, they're free to choose whichever appeals the most to them, and that choice is reflected in the design of their Common Room. From Hufflepuff's cozy plant-filled space to the underwater ambiance of Slytherin's Common Room, Hogwarts Legacy has veered away from the movie's depiction of Hogwarts' Common Rooms to explore something new and marginally more accurate to the books. Hopefully, this will also help create a more equal playing experience, as it proves that each House in Hogwarts Legacy has something unique and interesting to bring to the table.
Hogsmeade Is One Of Hogwarts Legacy's Biggest Story Locations
Outside Hogwarts itself, Hogsmeade is perhaps the area that receives the most focus in Hogwarts Legacy's trailers. Not only does the area seem to contain quite a few side quests, like the PlayStation-only "Haunted Hogsmeade" quest for Hogwarts Legacy, but additional footage has shown quite a bit of the game's primary action taking place either within or on the outskirts of the village as well. Additionally, players will be able to do quite a bit of shopping there. Wizards can buy everything from Ollivander’s wands to potion ingredients, books, and even new outfits. The tailor's shop in particular should help add depth to Hogwarts Legacy's character customization system.
The Forbidden Forest Could Be Hogwarts Legacy's Most Dangerous Area
The Forbidden Forest is widely considered to be one of the most mysterious and deadly locations in the Harry Potter series. Students are almost entirely forbidden from entering it, and it houses a wide range of magical creatures, some friendly and others quite dangerous. Hogwarts Legacy characters look like they break rules with relative frequency, so it didn't come as much of a surprise when one of the trailers seemed to showcase a quest taking place in the Forbidden Forest. In fact, it seems probable that players will be there often.
Befriending magical creatures is a major gameplay element in Hogwarts Legacy. Mooncalves, graphorns, and hippogriffs are just a few of many examples. There are few better places to find such creatures than the Forbidden Forest, so the player has ample reason to venture there even outside story-related quests. Whether it's worth the significant risk, however, may be up for individual players to determine. The unique rewards offered there might just tempt many Hogwarts Legacy fans.
Hogwarts Legacy's Room of Requirement Is The Protagonist's Biggest Asset
Another major location included in Hogwarts Legacy is the Room of Requirement, most notably featured in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. As Hogwarts Legacy is going to keep players busy, it's important for them to have a home base of sorts to accommodate the game's many mechanics. The Room of Requirement serves that exact purpose. It's specifically designed to meet the needs of its occupant, meaning that the Hogwarts Legacy protagonist can brew potions, grow plants, and bond with their magical creatures all from the Room of Requirement. It will be interesting to see how the location might change over the course of the game's primary storyline, and what other secret functions can be discovered within it.
Gringotts Could Mean Diagon Alley Appears In Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy's primary storyline revolves around a Goblin Rebellion, which makes it unsurprising that the goblin-run Gringotts Bank makes an appearance in one of the trailers. That, coupled with the fact that a previous Hogwarts Legacy trailer hid a Diagon Alley secret, has made Harry Potter fans wonder if the iconic shopping area will be making an appearance in the game. It seems unlikely, given that Hogsmeade is already serving that purpose, but so far nothing has been confirmed by developers. It may very well prove to be one of many iconic Harry Potter locations that's simply yet to be confirmed for the game.
Regardless of what may be shown off in the future, the current footage has already proven to many Harry Potter fans that Hogwarts Legacy will prove to be an accurate and detailed depiction of the wizarding world. Beyond that, its new additions to the franchise seem to be just as compelling. Many fans like Hogwarts Legacy's new characters better than the books based off of trailers alone. Hopefully when Hogwarts Legacy releases, it will live up to everyone's expectations.
Editor’s Note: Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has been accused of transphobia by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Although not directly involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy, Rowling does stand to earn royalties from the game. We would like to reiterate our for trans rights and that trans identities are valid. services are listed below for trans people impacted by discussions of transphobia.
In the USA:
- Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
- The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
In Canada:
- Trans Lifeline: (877) 330-6366
- Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688
In the UK:
- Switchboard: 01273 204050
- Mermaids: 0808 801 0400