The sudden introduction of the thestrals was one of the most unexpected and awesome reveals in the game. They designed that cutscene very well, hell of an intro

The Thestral appearing. Seeing Wizarding World Lore unfold before my very eyes... That told me immediately that these devs knew what they were doing.

Not only did avalanche do a fantastic job with the intro of Hogwarts Legacy, but you did a fantastic job on the creation of this video, it’s got me very excited on your future content! 🎉

Yep. They had to get the intro right. First impressions make or break a piece of visual art/entertainment. And they nailed it. One of the best video game intros I’ve ever played or seen. This is what made me want to continue playing the game. If they didn’t nail this first hour of my engagement with the game, then I wouldn’t have continued. It’s a real achievement. Well done, Avalanche! I trust this studio a hell of a lot. I hope they get complete freedom to do what they need to do with Hogwarts Legacy 2.

As a professional film Director myself obviously know this is not my main account. I was definitely struck with surprised with how fantastic the intro sequence was. It honestly felt like another movie that we never got. Everything from the intrigue build up the locations were perfect to get audiences who love the story of Harry Potter interested but it works perfectly to introduce people who’ve never read the books or seen the movies.

Hogwarts Legacy is my personal GOTY. It’s certainly not the best game; but I connected with it, unlike any other game I’ve ever played; and I think that holds true to anyone that is a fan of the Wizarding World, in general. The passion and heart that Avalanche put into the game, was a tremendous achievement for their first attempt and a AAA open world RPG. I’m very excited for the future of this franchise; providing it remains in the very capable hands of the team that developed this iteration of Hogwarts Legacy.

From the standpoint of someone who is learning the 100% speedrun the intro and the sorting ceremony and the field guide introduction is now just something to get through. You can (thankfully) skip most of it, but you still have to wade through 30mins of gameplay before you properly get going

Man if there’s a second game I hope it’s just as big, explorative, and beautiful as this one.

Amazing video my friend. You really captured what made the opening of this game so magical and so effective.

I dont consider myself a gamer, I've played a few games, including Harry Potter 1 to 3 more than 10 years ago. I'm a huge HP fan and I always knew a game like this would come some day. When Hogwarts Legacy came out, I knew: they made the perfect game for me! I played it two times since and currently keeping up with all the news to see what and when the next one (or something) will be out. As I'm learning, it's not realistic to expect a new one next year, but keeping my fingers crossed for a Christmas surprise or a DLC next year. I love this game I love it! At times I go back into the game just to walk or fly around! 🥺

That transition to Fig @ 11:17 .. FACTS.

Fantastic video and great editing too!! I 100% agree the intro to this game is near perfect, imagine how good part 2 could be

I thought it was a 10/10 UNTIL 11:35. After he says "we have a sorting ceremony to get to" you have zero control of your character and have to watch a cutscene from there until you wake up in your dorm. I would've made it continue a bit more. I felt like they shorted. I would've made it one of those cutscenes where you don't have control of your character but you can look to the sides. As they walk down they would've ran into the giant squid. (I don't know too much about the squid in the lake by hogwarts in lore) but I would've made it friends with Prof Fig. The Squid would help you and Fig travel on lake and you get to see Hogwarts in a giant view while music is playing and you are able to look side to side. And then once you get to the land you are at the front door and you have control of your character. I also would've made the player have control walking up to the hat and sitting at their house table. Then that is where 4 people from house introduce their names (which was weird when you got into your room you already knew who to talk to) and then you walk with your group to your house. Then you walk to your room and click sleep and you start.

It's so cool when the owl flies over the Hogwarts train in intro but I never seen the train in the game😅

“And now that we’re sufficiently intrigued… CONFLICT” BAM poor George becomes a dragon’s chewtoy. Phenomenal editing as usual Retro! This moment really stood out to me though, your intonation and everything was so spot on! HL’s intro made me tear up. You get hit over the head with little tidbits of lore left and right. It was so abundantly clear that the devs knew and loved the source material just as much as I do. I was bouncing up and down with excitement by the time the MC arrives at Gringotts, and seeing that “ahem” scene to get the goblin’s attention mirrored from the book/movie. Just like with the music, they absolutely nailed this moment, making it familiar yet new at the same time.

Great video! The editing was top notch for this. Makes me want to replay the game....again even though I am falling behind on my other games I want to play. Darn you Avalanche for making such an amazing game!

Thank you! Your video is circulating throughout the studio :)

Still playing the game, currently a Ravenclaw, overall 5th playthrough. Nothing but love for this game 🙂

Excellent RETRO-spective! Bravo, sir!

great vid!

Hey Thanks for the video Retro really like the pacing & structure you did! I think the intro of the game was amongst the more if not the most strongest part of the game. I do love the detail with the thestrals after Osrics death how they wisp in to reality, I will admit I didn't catch that due to the life threatening situation of the dragon having my attention. Though I do have my criticisms for instance we don't start off in a building or something personal to us like a bedroom, the other critique is we seem to be all ready in correspondence with Fig prior to starting the game rather than genuinely meeting him for the first time as we play for the first time. I would also have liked it if the ashwinders joined the attack on us the same time the dragon attacks making them a legitimate personal threat, as it is they stand around in camps just waiting about. It's strange we never get to hear anything more about Gearge osiric. We're introduced then he's dragon food theirs no time to think over what happened I don't think anyone bothers to ask if we're okay either. The MOM don't come knocking either which is strange, they'll likely be an unpleasant thorn in our sides if not worse than 1990's Ministry. I'm so ready to fight fire with fire if they try & ruin our name, unlike Harry. Hopefully there will be CHOICES where we can deal with the MOM our own way be it doing nothing, being a goody to shoes, maintaining neutrality or outright killing & wiping the memories of our most dangerous foes who will be far more politically adept than us Thanks again Retro have a good day :)

Another excellent video!

Hogwarts Legacy is so memorable and great game on so many ways that will keep us playing it for a decade for sure. Beautiful game in a beautiful world!

I get goosebumbs everytime I see that first scene of Hogwarts

I like how we got to experience Gringotts and watch the magical cutscene of the flying carriage, but that may be the extent. The tutorial phase was long and we never get to return to that location in the story. In other words, the player ought to hit the ground running and begin their gameplay at or near Hogwarts. If there is a tutorial area, the player ought to return or end at that tutorial area so we understand how ancient magic affected that area and the rest of the magical world. Additionally, the game introduces us to George Osric, yet we don't get to investigate anything about the incident of the flying carriage nor do we get to mourn his death. I understand the cutscene was meant to initiate the player seeing thestrals, but there seems to be a lack of empathic and investigative development in terms of storytelling.

@RetroRaconteur Hell of a job with this video

Let’s goooo!

Ehh yes and no... yes it's very cinematic, very epic and incredibly amazing, no because it takes you close to 1h of cutscenes when you start a new game when you can finally begin with the tutorial from Prof. Weasley.

Made me wanna pick the game up and play again 🤣

Hogwarts is home

I'm just waiting for someone to make a vr mod for this game

As a new gamer this was so good for me to learn Story mode was amazing to me

Anyone know what cloak the character in the thumbnail is wearing?

That's interesting. As a HP fan, I disliked the introduction. Would've preferred a chill train ride to Hogwarts lol. Or start directly at Hogwarts.

While it is a good introduction, it feels far too long. I mean yeah, I loved going through it the first time around but replaying it multiple times it gets old. Perhaps if you had the option to skip up to the sorting ceremony if you have a cleared save file. I'm not saying the intro is bad but there could have been that quality of life option to allow more replayability. Something most open world games falter in, replayability. Even games like breath of the wild and even tears of the Kingdom lack. Multiple save states, something Hogwarts Legacy does right breath of the wild and tears of the Kingdom lacks. The lack of multiple save files discourages replayability. But also does replaying a long intro that you've already watched recently before. Hogwarts Legacy is a good game from my experience but open world games just lack certain things that I value most of the time.

The game has died off due to the IMMENSE amount of content they intentionally left out. I feel sad for yours, and all the other channels I subscribed to expecting to see student roleplays, Animagus shenanigans, dark choices affecting the story and environment, etc. They should've spent 8-9 years on this game, and focused on INTERACTIONS-- NOT pretty, useless garbage. Like chairs you can't sit in; are you kidding me???? This is what happens when the suits overpower the artists. And unfortunately it'll keep happening because everyone likes this IP so much 😔😔