Unlike some other popular Harry Potter video games, Hogwarts Legacy does require a purchase and is not free to play. But there are still options for fans to get the new open-world RPG at a discounted price. This detailed guide provides everything you need to know about Hogwarts Legacy pricing, early access, and value.
Introduction
Hogwarts Legacy is one of the most anticipated new games set in the magical world of Harry Potter. Developed by Avalanche Software and published by Portkey Games, this action RPG allows players to experience life as a Hogwarts student in the 1800s.
The key question many fans want to know – is Hogwarts Legacy free to play?
The answer is no, Hogwarts Legacy is not free to play. The game is a full price, premium release typically costing $59.99 to $69.99 depending on your platform.
But don‘t worry, even though you can‘t download and play Hogwarts Legacy for free, there are still some great options for more budget-focused witches and wizards, which I‘ll cover in this guide.
Hogwarts Legacy Pricing & Editions
First, let‘s break down the release date, platforms, and pricing for the different editions of Hogwarts Legacy so you know exactly what to expect:
Release Date
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC: February 10, 2023
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One: April 4, 2023
- Nintendo Switch: TBA
Standard Edition Pricing
| Platform | Price |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | $69.99 |
| Xbox Series X/S | $69.99 |
| PC | $59.99 |
| PlayStation 4 | $69.99 |
| Xbox One | $69.99 |
| Nintendo Switch | $59.99 |
Deluxe Edition Pricing
The Digital Deluxe edition adds:
- 72 hours early access
- Felix Felicis potion recipe (luck), Onyx Hippogriff mount, Dark Arts cosmetic set
| Platform | Price |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | $89.99 |
| Xbox Series X/S | $89.99 |
| PC | $79.99 |
Collector‘s Edition Pricing
The Collector‘s edition includes:
- Digital game & early access
- Floating ancient magic wand with book
- Steel case
- Kelpie robe
- Other physical items
| Platform | Price |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | $299.99 |
| Xbox Series X/S | $299.99 |
| PC | $289.99 |
As you can see, the Standard Edition provides the base Hogwarts Legacy experience at the regular $59.99 to $69.99 cost. The Deluxe Edition runs $10 to $20 more but grants early access plus some digital bonuses. And the Collector‘s Edition is priced at $289.99 to $299.99 given all the physical collectibles.
The key takeaway – there is no free version of Hogwarts Legacy across any platform or edition. The game is a premium release rather than free-to-play.
How Pricing Compares to Other Harry Potter Games
To provide some context around the Hogwarts Legacy pricing, let‘s look at what other major Harry Potter games have cost at launch:
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer‘s Stone (2001) – $49.99
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) – $49.99
- Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup (2003) – $49.99
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) – $49.99
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) – $49.99
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) – $49.99
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) – $49.99
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) – $49.99
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011) – $49.99
- Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 (2010) – $19.99
- Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 (2011) – $29.99
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (2018) – Free-to-play (in-app purchases)
- Hogwarts Legacy (2024) – $59.99 to $69.99
As you can see, most major Harry Potter game releases over the past two decades have launched at $49.99 or below. More recent free-to-play mobile games like Hogwarts Mystery are an exception.
With a launch price of $59.99 to $69.99, Hogwarts Legacy represents a premium release compared to previous Harry Potter games. However, when accounting for inflation and rising development costs, the pricing is pretty reasonable and on par with other major franchises.
Gameplay Hours and Content Analysis
One of the key factors that impacts a game‘s value is the amount of content and gameplay hours it provides. More gameplay and content helps justify a higher price point.
According to the developers, here is an estimate of Hogwarts Legacy gameplay length:
- Main Story: Around 35 hours
- Completionist: Over 70+ hours
This puts Hogwarts Legacy on par with massive open world games like Elden Ring or Horizon Forbidden West that also provide dozens of hours of content.
Importantly, Hogwarts Legacy is a single-player only game with no multiplayer or co-op modes. And there are currently no plans for paid DLC expansions after launch.
Given the estimated 35+ hours for the main story, and over 70 hours for completionists, the $59.99 to $69.99 pricing seems reasonable for the amount of content provided. Games of this scope usually justify a higher premium price point.
Consumer Perspective: Breaking Down the Value
From a consumer perspective, is Hogwarts Legacy worth the $59.99 to $69.99 cost? Let‘s break it down:
- New high-quality games normally range from $59.99 to $69.99 for standard pricing
- You get 35+ hours of story content, over 70+ for completionists
- No microtransactions or pay-to-win elements
- Next-gen optimized with high review scores anticipated
- Massive fan interest as a premium Harry Potter game
The bottom line:
For fans of Harry Potter and immersive open world RPGs, Hogwarts Legacy provides a lot of gameplay and highly anticipated experience to likely justify the $60 to $70 pricing for many gamers.
However, for more budget-focused consumers, the upfront cost may still seem high. That‘s where early access discounts and other savings tips can help.
Early Access & Pre-Order Discounts
While Hogwarts Legacy won‘t be free, you can save some money by pre-ordering the game to get early access perks.
Here are some pre-order tips:
Pre-order the Digital Deluxe edition to get 72 hours early access plus bonuses like special robes for just $10-$20 more.
Shop around different retailers for pre-order discounts. Amazon, Walmart, GameStop, and others often offer $10 or more off new releases.
Look for discounted gift cards to use towards your pre-order, lowering the out-of-pocket cost.
Pre-order sooner rather than later to ensure you secure early access at the best price. Supplies may be limited.
Consider splitting the cost by teaming up with a friend who also wants early access.
By pre-ordering the Digital Deluxe edition and shopping around, you can likely save $10-$20 off the list price while still getting to play early. This takes the sting out of the premium pricing for most fans.
Other Ways to Save on Hogwarts Legacy
Beyond pre-ordering early access, here are some other tips for getting Hogwarts Legacy at a discounted price:
Wait for a sale! The game will likely see discounts during holiday promotional periods after launch.
Buy a used physical copy at retailers like GameStop for cheaper pricing after release.
Rent through services like Redbox or GameFly to play the game at a lower short-term cost if you don‘t need to own it.
Consider buying a used previous-generation console copy which tend to drop in price faster. The experience will be similar.
For PC, add the game to your wishlist on Steam, Epic Games Store, etc. and wait for an email alert of discounts.
Sign up for promotional emails from gaming retailers for notification of Hogwarts Legacy deals and coupons.
While discounts may require some patience, you can likely save 25% or more buying Hogwarts Legacy used or waiting for promotional pricing and sales.
Free-to-Play Harry Potter Games
Let‘s now shift gears to discussing some Harry Potter games that are actually free to play for more frugal fans:
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
This mobile RPG allows you to create your own customized student at Hogwarts and experience life at the school. Key features:
Completely free-to-play, with optional in-app purchases
Attend classes like Potions, Charms, and Care of Magical Creatures
Interactive story with mystery solving
Mini-games like wizard duels
Hogwarts Mystery provides a fun frugal alternative for fans who want a free Harry Potter experience on mobile. It monetizes through optional purchases that are not required.
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (No Longer Active)
This AR mobile game had players exploring real world locations to cast spells and encounter magic. Key features:
Originally free-to-play, with in-app purchases
AR magic enabled in real world spaces
Collectible wizard cards todiscover
Multiplayer raiding against enemies
While no longer active, Wizards Unite offered another free-to-play Harry Potter option for mobile gamers on a budget.
WizardingWorld.com Mini Games
The official Wizarding World website offers various simple and fun mini games at no cost, including:
Wizard Duel – Duel against other players
Potion Challenge – Create potions against the clock
Harry Potter Trivia – Test your Harry Potter knowledge
For quick free gaming sessions in the Wizarding World, these mini games make nice free alternatives.
The Verdict: Not Free, But Still Awesome for Fans
Hogwarts Legacy does carry a premium $59.99 to $69.99 cost rather than being free-to-play. However, for Harry Potter fans, the ability to immerse yourself in an open-world Hogwarts adventure makes the pricing justifiable based on the scope of content and overall quality that is expected.
Plus, consumers do have options like pre-ordering for early access discounts, buying used copies, or waiting for sales. This can help more budget-focused gamers get Hogwarts Legacy at a cheaper price point if you don‘t want to pay full MSRP.
And for a completely free Harry Potter gaming experience, mobile options like Hogwarts Mystery exist as nice alternatives.
Overall, while not free, Hogwarts Legacy still provides an exciting premium gaming experience that many fans will likely find worth the standard retail pricing.
