Hogwarts Legacy has been one of the most successful games of 2023, after fans craved a Harry Potter RPG for so long. With the recent release of the title on previous-generation platforms, now is the perfect time to revisit it.
We’re taking a look at the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition, and the Collector’s Edition, answering the question once and for all – which version is right for you?
Hogwarts Legacy Standard Edition
The Standard Edition of Hogwarts Legacy is pretty barebones stuff. If you purchase this version, you receive the base game itself, and that’s it. This edition currently costs $59.99 USD on Steam, although will come down with sales over time. After years of mediocre Harry Potter games, fans have embraced the game with incredible sales figures, so as long as it continues to sell well, don’t expect any steep discounts any time soon.
Despite not offering much in the way of additional content, the Standard Edition of Hogwarts Legacy has its place. For some, the game is about ultimate Wizarding World wish fulfillment. Sure, the extra bells and whistles would be nice, but they’re not an essential part of the experience. If this sounds like you, then the Standard Edition of Hogwarts Legacy could be perfect for your needs.
Extra Content
Even if you do opt for the Hogwarts Legacy Standard Edition, there’s still additional free content you can earn to use in-game.
For the most part, these come in the form of Twitch Drops. These Twitch Drops are usually announced by the Hogwarts Legacy Twitter account, detailing when they’re available. By taking part in Twitch Drops, you’re able to pick up extra in-game cosmetics just by watching streamers play the game. It’s a great way to stay engaged with the game while adding something to your Hogwarts Legacy experience!
If you’re a PlayStation gamer, you’re in luck. There’s an extra quest called “Haunted Hogsmeade Shop” that is exclusive to PlayStation, which can be picked up for free alongside every version of the game including the Standard Edition.
Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition
This is where it starts to get interesting. The Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition brings a bunch of brand-new content for you to use in-game. The list is as follows:
- Thestral Mount
- Dark Arts Cosmetic Set
- Dark Arts Battle Arena
Players who pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition also received the Onyx Hippogriff mount alongside 72 hours of early access playtime, but this window has long expired.
Thestral Mount
The Thestral mount is just one of many that you’re able to use in the game. With flight being such an essential mechanic of Hogwarts Legacy, it’s good to have another option available to choose from. There are multiple Hippogriffs and brooms to pick up during your playthrough of the game, but the Thestral mount is undoubtedly one of the coolest.
You won’t just be given the Thestral Mount, either. First, you must complete a quest called “The High Keep” before you’re able to use it to traverse the grounds of Hogwarts.
Dark Arts Cosmetic Set
The Dark Arts Cosmetic Set comes with a few bits and pieces that you can use to customize your protagonist. Customization is key in Hogwarts Legacy, and with these, you can definitely take your fashion game up a notch.
These pieces are:
- Dark Arts Gloves
- Dark Arts Robes
- Dark Arts Scarf
- Dark Arts Mask
- Dark Arts Hat
The best part is that you don’t have to use all of these items together. Sure, it might look more cohesive as one outfit, but each one is an individual piece, so you can combine them with other items to make your perfect Hogwarts Legacy character.
Dark Arts Battle Arena
The Dark Arts Battle Arena is arguably the best addition from the Deluxe Edition, justifying the price difference here alone. It can be found in the Forbidden Forest, where you must solve a number of puzzles to enter the arena.
This five-round arena challenge pits you against a variety of enemies, from Dark Wizards to Mountain Trolls to Goblins and more. Here, you’ll be able to use four Unforgivable Curses against your opponents, even if you’re yet to unlock them: Confringo, Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra.
Each wave will test your skills as a witch or wizard, and help you improve your Hogwarts Legacy combat skills. In the Dark Arts Battle Arena, you’ll eventually face 16 enemies at one time, a true test of your magical prowess.
The Dark Arts Battle Arena is by far the biggest piece of content included in this edition. In our opinion, it’s a must-play for fans of the game. If you do decide to purchase the Standard Edition rather than the Deluxe Edition, we should note that you can buy the Dark Arts Battle Arena and Dark Arts Cosmetic Set for a combined $19.99 USD separately, so it’s an upgrade you can make further down the line if necessary.
Digital Deluxe
If you go the route of the Digital Deluxe Edition as opposed to the physical version, you’ll also get one additional extra – the Dark Arts Garrison Hat. This hat looks incredibly similar to the Dark Arts Hat included in the physical edition, so it shouldn’t be something that massively influences your decision.
You can pick up the Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition for $79.99 USD. Only you can know how much that extra $20 is worth, but with the Dark Arts Battle Arena especially, you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck.
Hogwarts Legacy Collector’s Edition
This is one for the truly hardcore Potterheads. The Hogwarts Legacy Collectors Edition brings all of the amazing content from the Deluxe Edition, alongside much more. This includes:
- Floating Ancient Magic Wand with Book Base
- Steelbook Case
- Kelpie Robe DLC
For obvious reasons, this version is only available as a physical release, so if you own a digital-only console then it might not be for you.
Floating Ancient Magic Wand With Book Base
Looking like a prop straight from the set of a Harry Potter movie, this thing has to be seen to be believed. It’s a collector’s dream – an incredibly detailed book, with an actual floating wand on top. If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was actually magic.
The book itself is a thing of beauty, with realistic wear alongside a hand-drawn map of Hogwarts on the open page. You can’t flip through the book unfortunately, but it looks so good that you won’t even care.
In an era of gaming where collector’s editions are often overlooked or low-effort, this effort from Warner Bros. Games rolls back the years in a big way. The only negative is that it needs to be plugged in to work properly. With the right setup, you can bring home your own piece of Hogwarts magic for your bookshelf.
SteelBook Case
The SteelBook case for Hogwarts Legacy is also another brilliant collector’s item. It depicts the Hogwarts crest against a deep blue background, and is a welcome change from the original box art.
It’s the only first-party steelbook available for the game, so if you’re a big collector of them, this is the only way to go about grabbing one.
Kelpie Robe DLC
The Hogwarts Legacy Collector’s Edition also comes with another piece of cosmetic DLC to use in-game. The Kelpie Robe is just a single item that gamers are able to wear throughout their adventure. However, unlike the Dark Arts Cosmetic Set which could be purchased separately, the Kelpie Robe is completely exclusive to the Collector’s Edition, so you’ll only see these on the most hardcore of players.
Compared to the other two inclusions, the Kelpie Robe is perhaps an anti-climax. For those looking for every bit of customization possible in Hogwarts Legacy, it’s still great to have.
Such an amazing version does not come cheap. Picking up the Hogwarts Legacy Collector’s Edition sets you back a smooth $300 USD. For many, swallowing such a cost will be a tough ask. We’ll be honest – if you’re not among the most dedicated of Harry Potter fans, you should probably avoid this, as cool as it is.
Which Version Do I Buy?
It all comes down to that one final question – which Hogwarts Legacy version should you buy? Ultimately, the answer is totally subjective.
We’ve shown exactly what each version brings to the table, and now it’s up to you to decide which one to buy. If you have a passing interest in the game, then the Standard Edition will probably suffice. A fan of the films and an avid gamer? Sure, why not go Deluxe. In the top 0.1% of Potter-mad superfans? Then yes, you may be able to justify dropping $300 on a collector’s item.
No matter which edition you choose to buy, you’ll have a great time with Hogwarts Legacy. The game is a blast, and everything that fans of the franchise could have ever hoped for after two decades of poor movie tie-ins.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Warner Bros. Games.