Hogwarts Legacy’s release date is not for another couple of weeks, but the game is already available to pre-load for those on Xbox Series X. In an age when most game purchases are digital and file sizes are ballooning out of control, pre-loading is an extremely helpful tool that ensures gamers are able to play pre-ordered games likeHogwarts Legacyright at launch. However, it’s a rare thing that games let players pre-load so far in advance.
It’s unclear whyHogwarts Legacypre-loading has started so far in advance. There also hasn’t been any reason given as to why the Xbox Series X version seems to be the only one that fans can pre-load right now, but hopefully those playing on PC and PS5 don’t have to wait too much longer to start their download. While unconfirmed, it’s possibleHogwarts Legacypre-loading has started so early is because of the game’searly access option. Anyone that pre-orders the Digital Deluxe Edition can get 72 hours early access to the game, allowing them to play on February 7 instead of February 10. So maybe the pre-loading has started early to prepare for the wave of players who will be jumping into the game ahead of launch, but that’s just speculation at this time.
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In any case,Hogwarts Legacyfans will be happy to have the chance to pre-load the game, as its file size is reportedly around 77 GB. While certainly not the largest file size seen in recent years, it’s still rather sizable and will take gamers with slower Internet quite some time to download. WithHogwarts Legacybeing a large open world gamethat includes Hogwarts castle, the surrounding grounds, Hogsmeade, and high-level graphics, it’s not surprising that the game’s file size is so big, however.
While unconfirmed, leaks have claimed thatbeatingHogwarts Legacytakes about 35 hours, which is a decent runtime for a game in its genre and doesn’t take into account all the side content the game has on offer. If the leaks are accurate, it seems as thoughHogwarts Legacyplayers are looking at about 70 hours or so for 100% completion.
In the meantime, it will be interesting to see how all this content is trimmed down for the Nintendo Switch version. AHogwarts LegacySwitch portis coming in July, but the file size will need lowered if the game is going to fit a Switch cartridge. It’s possible that the lowered graphics of the Switch release will be more than enough to ensure that the game fits on a Switch cartridge, but more information on that front will likely come closer to that version’s release date.
Hogwarts Legacylaunches February 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X with PS4 and Xbox One Versions coming April 4, and a Switch port coming July 25.
