Should I let my child play Hogwarts Legacy?
13+
Yes
From age 13. It's a single-player adventure with no online play, so strangers can't reach your child.
Hogwarts Legacy is a magical adventure for one player, with no online play or chat, so the safety risks are low. The question is the content: battles with dark wizards are frequent, and some story scenes show characters killed by a curse, though there's little blood. PEGI rates it 12, but ESRB rates it Teen (13+) and Common Sense Media recommends it from 13, and we follow the highest rating. On PC, players can add free extras made by other players, but they're checked before release.
Hogwarts Legacy passes all 7 safety checks. See how we decided, and the official age ratings
What is Hogwarts Legacy?
Hogwarts Legacy is a single-player adventure set in the Harry Potter world in the 1800s. Players attend Hogwarts as a new student, go to lessons, explore the castle and fight dark wizards and creatures with spells.
Our advice by age
- Under 13
- NoESRB rates it Teen and Common Sense Media recommends it from 13, because the fighting is frequent and some death scenes are upsetting. PEGI rates it 12.
- 13 and over
- YesYes. If your child scares easily, there's a setting that changes the giant spiders into something less frightening.
What to watch out for
Fighting and dark magicRisk is medium by default, medium with controls on
Players fight dark wizards, goblins and giant spiders with spells. Some story scenes show characters killed by a curse, and there's a little blood near bodies.
Time spentRisk is medium by default, low with controls on
It's a huge world with lots to collect, which makes it easy to lose hours. Console parental controls can set a daily limit.
CostsRisk is low by default, low with controls on
Some cosmetic extras are sold separately. Console spending restrictions stop anything being bought without you.
What's good about it
- Single-player, so no contact with strangers
- A rich, imaginative world for Harry Potter fans
- Puzzles and exploration alongside the fighting
- A setting to make giant spiders less scary
How to set it up safely
Required steps are the conditions of our verdict. If you can't do them, our answer is no. Takes about ten minutes. Do it with your child so they know what's switched on and why.
Set up your console's parental controls with a PINRecommended
Use your console's family settings, so only you can change them.
Restrict spendingRecommended
Set purchases to need your approval in your console's family settings.
Turn on Arachnophobia Mode if neededRecommended
In the game's settings, it replaces the giant spiders with less frightening creatures.
Set a daily time limitRecommended
Console parental controls can stop the game when time's up.
Recent news
- Hogwarts Legacy 2 officially confirmed by Warner Bros.Insider Gaming
A sequel is in development, with no release date yet. We'll review it separately when it's out.
Common questions
What age is Hogwarts Legacy suitable for?
13 and over. PEGI rates it 12, but ESRB rates it Teen and Common Sense Media recommends it from 13, and we follow the highest rating.
Is Hogwarts Legacy OK for a 10-year-old who loves Harry Potter?
We'd wait until 13. The fighting is frequent, some death scenes are upsetting, and the giant spiders can be frightening. If you watch them play, you'll see whether it suits your child.
Can strangers talk to my child in Hogwarts Legacy?
No. It's single-player only, with no online play or chat.
Does Hogwarts Legacy cost money after buying it?
Only optional cosmetic extras. Set your console to need your approval for purchases.
What would change your verdict?
Online play or chat being added, or official action against Warner Bros. Games over child safety. We re-check every review at least every three months.
How old was your child when they first played Hogwarts Legacy?
Other parents' answers. They don't change our verdict.