It’s safe to say that Hogwarts Legacy is one of 2023’s most hotly-anticipated games. The Wizarding World is a franchise beloved around the world. And fans have long been hoping for a modern, big-budget opportunity to explore the eponymous magical school. But is it suitable for people of all ages and is Hogwarts Legacy a kids game?
The reason many will be asking this question is obvious. The books and films – while not necessarily appropriate for all children – have always been very popular amongst kids.
In fact, it’s because of kids that the series is so popular to begin with. Many fans – myself included – first discovered it at a young age.
It’s now been almost 15 years since the Deathly Hallows book was released. And the twelfth anniversary of the final film’s premiere is fast approaching.
That means Hogwarts Legacy may be viewed by some parents as the perfect chance to introduce their children to Harry Potter. After all, the game looks extremely promising. It boasts a huge open-world, which is slated to include Hogwarts, its grounds, and beyond.
Perhaps even more appealing is the fact that Hogwarts Legacy is a role-playing game. Players will be able to create their own character, pick their house, attend classes, build relationships, and craft their own adventure.
But for some parents, the suitability of Hogwarts Legacy for children is likely to be a concern. After all, video games often feature violence, bad language, and sexual themes.
So, let’s examine if the new Harry Potter game is OK for children and whether or not Hogwarts Legacy is a kids game.
Were The Harry Potter Films Suitable For Children?
It’s important to note that none of the Harry Potter films received a US/Canada ‘G’ or UK/EU ‘U’ rating. If they did, that would mean they were suitable for all audiences.
Instead, the film series received age ratings ranging from PG (North America) and PG (UK/EU) to PG-13 (North America) and 12 (UK/EU). That means some of the movies were considered unsuitable for children younger than 12 or 13 (depending on country).
With the long-awaited release of Hogwarts Legacy right around the corner, parents can get the best indication of whether or not it’ll be OK for their kids to play by checking its age rating.
Video games aren’t rated on the same scale as films, but the ratings are just as clear.
Hogwarts Legacy Age Rating
The UK and Europe uses PEGI (Pan-European Game Information) ratings for games, while the US and Canada uses ESRB ratings (Entertainment Software Rating Board).
For a period of time, Hogwarts Legacy was given a provisional PEGI 16 rating. This raised eyebrows, as it suggested the game would be far darker, scarier, and more violent than anticipated. PEGI’s website provides the following description of the PEGI 16 rating:
“This rating is applied once the depiction of violence (or sexual activity) reaches a stage that looks the same as would be expected in real life. The use of bad language in games with a PEGI 16 rating can be more extreme, while the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs can also be present.”
PEGI website
Few would expect a Wizarding World video game to feature such things, so it was surprising for fans that Hogwarts Legacy appeared to be taking a more mature approach.
However, it has since been reclassified with a PEGI 12 rating which means it’ll include “violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy characters or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters”.
It may also feature “sexual innuendo or sexual posturing” and mild bad language.
Hogwarts Legacy‘s ESRB rating in North America is T for teen. A T rating means content is “generally suitable” for ages 13 and above.
Is Hogwarts Legacy A Kids Game?
So, that brings us to the main point of this article. Is the upcoming Wizarding World role-playing game something children should be playing?
Hogwarts Legacy is not a game for young kids. It has been rated PEGI 12 (UK/EU) and T (North America). This means it is suitable for older children but may be too scary and violent for anyone below the age of 12.
Additionally, Hogwarts Legacy may be too complex for kids. It is an open-world role-playing game featuring many different in-game systems, activities, and abilities. Young children will likely struggle to understand how to play it properly.
Hogwarts Legacy is also the subject of ongoing debate and controversy related to Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling and her political views regarding transgender people.
Depending on your personal opinions, you may decide the game isn’t something you want your children to play or be associated with.
Ultimately, it is up to parents to decide if they think a game will be appropriate for their children. However, official ratings should always be used as a guideline.
Are you excited for Hogwarts Legacy? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
