It’s the second game to be announced under the Portkey Games brand. The brand, owned by Warner Bros, focuses on the development of new games set in the Harry Potter universe. The brand is still in its infancy, so hopefully, we’ve got lots of HP-themed games still to come! Anyway, we digress. Here’s everything we know so far about Jam City’s Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, including release date, platforms and the latest gameplay news.
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery release date
So, when can we expect to be able to download Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery and go on our own wizarding adventures? During the initial announcement of the game it was announced that it was due to come out in 2018, but no solid release date – or even a release date window – was provided. That changed in January 2018; while talking about a Harry Potter event in Florida from 26-28 January, Jam City confirmed that the game was set to launch on all platforms “this Spring”. This was followed up with an announcement in April that Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery will be released on iOS and Android today, 25 April 2018. You can download it right now for iOS on the App Store, and on Android via Google Play. The release window is similar to Niantic’s AR-focused Harry Potter game, which is also due out in 2018 (though not until later this year), so it’ll be interesting to see which comes out on top. If you’re after something to play in the meantime, take a look at our roundup of the best Android games of all time.
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery platforms
Now that you roughly know when to expect the upcoming Harry Potter game, the next important feature to establish is platform availability. Some games are iOS exclusive, some are exclusive to Google’s Android – it’s the way the world works in 2018. So, will you have to buy a new phone to play the game?
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery gameplay news
So, what will you be able to do in the upcoming Harry Potter mobile game? While Warner Bros and Portkey Games (the HP-focused game label) are keeping their cards close to their chests right now, Jam City provided an overview of the game at the announcement and subsequent trailers gave us a glimpse at actual gameplay. Developers Jam City has confirmed that you’ll be in the shoes of a new witch or wizard starting at Hogwarts – you’ll progress through the years like Harry and the team, taking part in magical lessons including Defence against the Dark Arts and Potions with iconic Hogwarts teachers at the helm. “In the roleplaying game, players will create a personalized student avatar, attend classes, learn magical skills, form friendships or rivalries with other students, and make pivotal decisions that will influence their character’s story arc as they traverse their years at Hogwarts and grow as a witch or wizard” the company revealed. The developers also revealed that the game is set in the period between Harry Potter’s birth and his enrolment at Hogwarts, when the likes of Bill Weasley and Nymphadora Tonks were learning the ins-and-outs of magic. The in-game avatar customisation system will constantly allow you to constantly upgrade your character as you gain expertise and new magical skills – you can even choose your own pet, or to use the technical term, a familiar. Build your skills to solve magical mysteries, unlock new locations, spells, abilities and more. The game is said to feature both large plot arcs and smaller stories that will help you build relationships with the residents of Hogwarts. The all-new encounter system will play an integral part in this, as decisions made will impact not only the quests but how other characters regard and interact with you. It allows you to craft your own legacy, whether that be one full of kindness or evil. Those that want to find out more can head to the Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery website to pre-register and await your invite to Hogwarts. Want to know more? Take a look at the recent trailer at the top of this article, as it provides a great overview of what you’ll be doing, and some gameplay too! We’ll update this article with more information as soon as we receive it, so make sure you check back soon for the latest Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery news. You can also follow our Tech Advisor Gaming Twitter account to get the latest news as soon as it comes in. Lewis Painter is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor. Our resident Apple expert, Lewis covers everything from iPhone to AirPods, plus a range of smartphones, tablets, laptops and gaming hardware. You’ll also find him on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.
