For Switch owners, the massive open-world RPG feels much smaller
The massive open-world RPG set in the Harry Potter universe, Hogwarts Legacy, has finally arrived on the Nintendo Switch. However, it appears that players exploring Hogwarts Castle and the rest of the game’s detailed environs aren’t quite feeling the magic, thanks in part to a major gameplay limitation exclusive to the Switch version of the game: the open-world isn’t actually open.
The game’s near-seamless open-world exploration was one of its biggest selling points when it launched earlier this year for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, but anyone playing the game on Switch will have a vastly different experience than players on other platforms.
When traveling from one location to another, Switch players are reportedly encountering a high number of loading screens. Even though the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game (which were released in May) do not have these restrictions, Switch players are understandably frustrated.
They’re also having problems with dialogue lines not playing correctly and subtitles disappearing.
The SwitchUp YouTube channel published a side-by-side gameplay comparison to give players a better idea of how the Switch port of Hogwarts Legacy compares to its performance on other platforms.
According to the comparison, Switch players will see a loading screen every time they try to visit the nearby village of Hogsmeade, enter a shop, or otherwise leave the main gameplay area, with these loading screens lasting anywhere from 30 seconds to nearly a minute.
However, all of the other core gameplay elements are present, so patient players (or those who simply prefer to use a Switch) may find that the loading screens don’t interfere with their gameplay experience too much.
Poorly performing Switch ports are nothing new; the hardware has its limitations, and developers frequently have to sacrifice one feature to save another, especially when porting large open-world games to Nintendo’s popular, versatile console.
Hogwarts Legacy appears to be no exception to this rule, and loading screens are a small price to pay for good-looking graphics. Overall, the game appears to perform fairly well on the Switch, and one look at the Mortal Kombat 1 Switch port demonstrates that things could have been much worse.
Avalanche Software, a Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment subsidiary, is working on Hogwarts Legacy. The game has sparked outrage due to transphobic remarks made by Harry Potter author JK Rowling.
Despite the fact that she is not personally involved in its development, she stands to benefit from its success. More information can be found in our in-depth article on how Rowling’s comments have impacted the trans community.
This article also includes links to trans creators you can support as well as charities to which you can donate.