Avalanche Software's Hogwarts Legacy is easily one of the best games set in the wizarding world that has proven to be a smash hit in every way. This role-playing game is set in the late 1800s and chronicles the journey of a young wizard who enters Hogwarts in the fifth year itself, uncovering a sinister conspiracy in the process. Hogwarts Legacy is the Harry Potter game that fans were dreaming of, allowing players to choose their Hogwarts House, visit popular locations, and explore its vast open-world environment with a wand in tow.
Many were saddened when Avalanche Software revealed that Hogwarts Legacy would be delayed from its original release date of 2021 to sometime in 2022. While the extended wait was disappointing for some, it was clear that Avalanche Software used this time to bring the game to its full potential. Hogwarts Legacy is an exciting game, allowing players to experience the wonderful world of Hogwarts as if they were students themselves.
Updated on May 29, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: Hogwarts Legacy is a title that the entire gaming world was eagerly anticipating, with the title's offering of a proper open-world game set in this legendary magical school soundingtoo good to be true. While there's no denying that the game has its fair share of missteps, the power fantasy of being a powerful wizard is simply astounding, with the combat and other facets of gameplay being quite engaging in their own right.
Many people who loved what Hogwarts Legacy brought to the table should definitely check out other titles in the same vein that convey the same sense of magical wonder and adventure. There are many games in this regard that fans will have a great time with, and players can genuinely feel like powerful magic users in many video games that actively promote this playstyle or solely focus on this gameplay mechanic to help players achieve this fantasy with ease.
13 Elden Ring
It can seem pretty challenging to use a magic build in Elden Ring, but veterans of FromSoftware games know just how easy most of the game's encounters become with this build. Given how many people consider this developer's first open-world Soulsborne game to be the easiest of the bunch, it goes without saying that using Sorceries or Incantations in this title will be a blast in every way.
From healing the player to dealing wide area-of-effect damage that can take out most foes with the greatest of ease, it's easy to see why Elden Ring veterans love to use magic to take out the game's many tough enemies. While most people love using Sorceries for their brutal offensive power, people who want to enjoy a healthy balance between offense and defense can put more points in Faith instead to use the many Incantations present in the game.
Buy Elden Ring on Steam and the official PlayStation & Xbox store pages.
12 Forspoken
There's no denying that Forspoken was easily one of the most disappointing AAA releases around, coming around the time when Square Enix was infamous for mistreating its Western IPs and had sold them off to Embracer for a mere pittance... relatively speaking. The game was poorly optimized, had a really poor introduction to combat, and didn't really use its isekai setting all that well.
The end result is a game that could've shot for the moon but ended up failing to live up to its potential. That being said, there's no denying that Forspoken has its fair share of positives as well. The game's traversal system is a blast and combat really opens up once players decide to bear the early slog, with Frey's repertoire of spells increasing as the game progresses.
Buy Forspoken on Steam, Epic Games, and the official PlayStation & Xbox store pages.
11 Blade And Sorcery
Fans of VR titles are already pretty familiar with Blade and Sorcery, namely because of how immersive and engaging its combat is. The game is regularly updated and brings with it a wealth of new content that is a blast to explore in every way. The game is full to the brim with a wealth of amazing combat interactions, with both regular combat and magic being a blast to use.
Fans of Hogwarts Legacy will absolutely love what this game brings to the table, with the magic system in this game being quite excellent in every way. Using a vast horde of spells to incinerate and shock foes makes for a great time, and players can also download a wealth of mods to personalize the combat according to their interests too!
Buy Blade and Sorcery on Steam and the Oculus Store.
10 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2
Unsurprisingly, the best games to play while waiting for Hogwarts Legacy are the existing Harry Potter games that are out right now. Like the movie where the games are based, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were released in two parts, with the first installment in 2010 followed by part two in 2011. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is set in Hogwarts and follows the film's events from Harry Potter's perspective. However, one thing that separates this game from other tie-in titles to the movies is that Deathly Hallows implemented a new direction to suit its growing audience, focusing on action-packed combat via casting various spells.
Buy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 for Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3.
Buy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 for Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3.
9 Wizard101
Although Hogwarts Legacy is bringing a huge magic-based schooling experience with it, players have been flocking to Wizard101 for years to get their "magical learning" experience. This free-to-play MMO was recently released on Steam, but it's been around since 2008. Although it's a bit dated to some, Wizard101 features a great cartoony art style and is safe to enjoy with almost the whole family (Rated E10+) thanks to its friendly themes and rating.
Players will embark on their own journey, collecting new spells and engaging in a fun turn-based combat system that uses cards and flashy magical attacks. Those looking for a fun magic-based experience that they can enjoy with friends should definitely put this free-to-play release at the top of their list.
Play Wizard101for free on PC.
8 The Elder Scrolls Online
Honestly, any of The Elder Scrolls games could be a great fit for someone looking to sling some spells around, but The Elder Scrolls Online allows players to team up with friends and other like-minded magic users as they explore the vast reaches of Nirn. New characters are free to choose their own destiny in The Elder Scrolls Online, which includes crafting a skillset that relies completely on magic and spellcasting. There are different types of magic for players to specialize in, and they can even increase their power and skills with buffs via alchemy.
The Elder Scrolls Online is a great choice for those that want the freedom to specialize in specific sorts of magic while also having the freedom to wield various weapons and armor.
Play or Buy The Elder Scrolls Online on Xbox.com, the official website, Humble Bundle, Amazon (PS4 & Xbox One), and Steam.
7 Spellcaster University
Being a student at a magical school is one thing, but running a magic-based university is something entirely different. Players that are more interested in the ins and outs of being the headmaster of a prestigious wizarding school should check out Spellcaster University. This engaging Indie release tasks players with creating a successful magical school but twists things up by offering randomness in the form of strange events and a card-based building system.
Players will need to be careful to manage their resources and keep their students safe while also offering them a great education. Those that want to navigate the chaos of owning and operating a special magical academy like Harry Potter attended can give Spellcaster University a try.
Buy Spellcaster University for PC on Steam, and Humble Bundle.
6 Fable
Although it's a bit dated compared to some recent releases, the first Fable game (and the Fable series in general) is a great title for those that want to live in a magical world and make their own decisions. The player isn't just a run-of-the-mill hero given a specific destiny; instead, they are free to craft their own adventure and abide by their own moral compass. In fact, Fable even comes equipped with a karma system that will warp the player's appearance (in a positive or negative way) depending on the choices they make during their travels.
The original release (and its sequels) also feature magical items, weapons, and spells, for those that want to live their life as a wizard.
Buy Fable Anniversary for Xbox or PC on Xbox.com, Steam, Humble Bundle, and Microsoft. See the whole collection for multiple platforms on Amazon.
5 Potion Craft
There were many facets to Harry Potter's education throughout the Harry Potter universe. Not only did "the boy who lived" have to learn new magical spells and wand usage, but he also found himself collecting ingredients and brewing potions. Those that felt more drawn to the Alchemical side of Hogwarts might want to check out the Indie game, Potion Craft.
This charming release is incredibly straightforward and simplistic in its graphical design but offers quite a bit of depth for those that want to create their own potions. Players will be given different tasks from "customers" and must brew a variety of concoctions to aid them. The game also features sections in which aspiring brewmasters need to collect specific resources to create different (or stronger) potions.
Buy Potion Craft for PC, Xbox, and Nintendo on Steam, Xbox.com, Humble Bundle, and Nintendo.com.
4 Academagia: The Making of Mages
Although Academagia: The Making of Mages is not the most popular game on this list, it still includes several similarities to the Harry Potter franchise. For the uninitiated, Academagia: The Making of Mages takes players to an ancient wizarding school where they attend classes, bond with classmates, and explore various locations.
From that description alone, Academagia: The Making of Mages is the perfect game for players to feel what it's like to study and live in Hogwarts. However, players should note that Academagia: The Making of Mages has a steep learning curve, but once players overcome its controls, the experience is fun and magical.
Buy Academagia on Steam.
3 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Another Harry Potter game on this list is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Out of all the tie-in games launched alongside the Harry Potter films, Chamber of Secrets is definitely the one that most players can look back with fond memories. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, players are given a huge level of freedom, allowing them to explore Hogwarts and discover its secrets and dark mysteries. Overall, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets may not have aged well in terms of graphics, but it is still worth checking out, especially for those who could not wait to explore the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
Buy Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on legacy platforms.
2 Wands VR
Although the Harry Potter tie-in games received some success, players weren't so happy with how the developers approached combat. Now, players who want to experience an in-depth wand dueling action should check out Wands VR. For those unfamiliar, Wands VR allows players to engage in magic duels via PvP. Of course, players shouldn't expect to use Harry Potter spells, given that Wands VR is not related to the franchise. However, Wands VR is still a fun game to try out, especially since it gives players a fully customizable spell loadout, complete with over 25 spells to mix and match in battle.
1 Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Last on the list is Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Before anything else, it is worth noting that Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a very different game from Hogwarts Legacy, especially in terms of gameplay, given that it is a tactical turn-based RPG rather than an action RPG. However, one of the new features of Fire Emblem: Three Houses that could be similar to Hogwarts Legacy is its social simulation element, set in a somewhat similar school to Hogwarts.
Additionally, Fire Emblem: Three Houses also features magic, and players can train their character to specialize in several magical classes such as a mage, a dark mage, a warlock, and many more. Overall, Fire Emblem: Three Houses may not be the first game to come to mind while waiting for Hogwarts Legacy. However, its social simulation gameplay set in a school, and its in-depth character classes that could specialize in magic, are probably the closest things to Hogwarts Legacy that players can engage in right now.
Buy Fire Emblem: Three Houses on Nintendo.
Hogwarts Legacy is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.