Now that Hogwarts Legacy has begun its initial early access launch, many people question whether to play on PC or PS5. After all, there are pros and cons to both, and personal preference also influences this choice. With that said, some key differences may sway you to choose one over the other. Even though the “whatever you’re comfortable with” option is the most important, there are some points to mention anyway. If you’re interested in learning more, continue reading to find a comprehensive PC versus PlayStation 5 guide for Hogwarts Legacy.
Should You Play Hogwarts Legacy on PC or PS5?
One of the most important details is early access and global release dates. If you’re a console player in regions like Australia or New Zealand, you can already play the game if you bought Deluxe Edition. In short, once it reaches midnight on February 7, you can play Hogwarts Legacy if you’re on PS5. However, the same can’t be said for PC: Anyone on PC must wait until 1 PM EST or 10 AM PST, meaning you’ll have to wait at least 13 hours longer than anyone on PS5.
A similar system is in place for the regular Standard Edition release. Anyone on PS5 can play at midnight in their local time, while PC players can play at 1 PM EST/10 AM PST.
Related: What Time Does Hogwarts Legacy Early Access Start for PC and Consoles? – Answered
Taking a Look at Performance
The other main factor to consider is performance on both platforms. To start, the PlayStation 5 has multiple performance modes that you can use to change up how you play. If you want high-quality graphics but lower frames, you can run it in Fidelity mode and appreciate every crisp detail. Likewise, if you’re indifferent to graphics and want smooth gameplay, you can pick Performance mode instead.
Related: Hogwarts Legacy PS5 and Xbox Series X|S Graphic Modes Explained
While PC gets slightly more complicated, there are two main things to consider. If you have a powerful PC with specs like a GeForce 2080 ti graphics card and Ryzen 7 5800K processor, you can run the game at the highest settings without much issue, allowing for smooth gameplay and good graphics. Even if you don’t have these specs, the recommended requirements call for a GTX 1080 ti and an Intel Core i7-8700 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600, with much lower minimum requirements.
In other words, if you have a beefy computer, your performance will rival and may even be better than the PS5. For older PCs, though, it may be worth the swap.
Related: What Are the PC System Requirements for Hogwarts Legacy? – Answered
Pre-Order, Console-Exclusive Content and Price Differences
The final main part to consider is the Standard and Deluxe Edition content you’ll gain for PC and PS5. While PC gets the Onyx Hippogriff as a Standard pre-order bonus and the Dark Arts Pack as a Deluxe bonus, the PS5 gets a lot more. Most notably, the PlayStation exclusives include the Felix Felicis Potion recipe as a pre-order bonus and the Haunted Hogsmeade Shop Quest as extra content. You’ll also get the Onyx Hippogriff alongside PC players. Overall, PlayStation gets a better deal here, but for an increased cost.
One point that I have yet to mention is the price difference. The PS5 version of Hogwarts Legacy costs $10 more than the PC version, which may be why some added benefits exist. While you get extra goodies, you’ll have to pay more, especially if you’re opting for Deluxe Edition.
Playing Hogwarts Legacy on PC or PlayStation 5
In short, it’s definitely recommended to choose the PlayStation 5 over PC if you have one and are willing to spend a little extra. The various graphic modes provide versatility in how you play, and you gain more bonus content than on PC. The midnight release time is also beneficial for anyone who isn’t available during the 1 PM EST/10 AM PST launch and has to wait until later in the day. The only downside is you’ll have to pay a little extra for these benefits.
Hogwarts Legacy will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch through the official website. If you’re interested in learning more about the game, check out Everything Included in the Dark Arts Pack in Hogwarts Legacy and Does Hogwarts Legacy Have Denuvo?
