Is Hogwarts Legacy Open World? Explained

There is a massive difference between exploring a game’s open world and having the freedom to do what you’d like or pursuing linearity, and Hogwarts Legacy is no exception. Let’s talk about whether Hogwarts Legacy is open-world and what, exactly, that entails.

Is Hogwarts Legacy an Open World Game?

Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world game on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, with its Nintendo Switch version being semi-open-world. In other words, while PC and console players can freely fly around on their magic broomsticks or run on foot without issues, those on Switch will experience loading screens and interruptions as they travel the world.

PC and Consoles Open World Explained

If you’re playing Hogwarts Legacy on PC, PS, or Xbox consoles, you can anticipate being able to run and fly around the map seamlessly without any major hiccups. You can also enter shops, caves, and other miscellaneous areas without loading screens, while dungeons will prompt a brief loading screen. Similarly, fast traveling between locations using Floo Flames triggers a loading screen before resuming at your new spot.

In short, you’re free to fly or run from one side of the map to the other without interruptions, with teleporting requiring a brief loading screen. Generally speaking, these loading screens won’t last too long unless you’re experiencing other general performance issues.

Nintendo Switch Open World Explained

Hogwarts Legacy on Nintendo Switch changes this slightly. While you can still fast travel and fly around the map, you’ll often experience loading screens, including when you enter locations like Hogsmeade, that last approximately 30-50 seconds. Entering shops also trigger cutscenes, contrasting PC and console versions.

While this may not be a deal-breaker for most, it is something to consider if you’re debating between the Switch and other platforms. Fortunately, it still runs reasonably well with a near-consistent 30 FPS.

Hogwarts Legacy is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Be sure to check out everything included in the Dark Arts Pack in Hogwarts Legacy, or click the tag below to explore our growing content collection.