Hogwarts Legacy fans delighted with massive Harry Potter: Beyond Hogwarts free expansion

The Wizarding World is one that expands far beyond the world of books and movies, as it is a successful venture in video games and soon, a TV series too.

This year we saw the release of Hogwarts Legacy, an action RPG from developers Avalanche Studios that tells the story of a student entering the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the fifth year, much to the surprise of fellow students and tutors alike.

Check out the Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery trailer below!

However, a few years ago in 2018, we were treated to a free single-player RPG on mobile, namely Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. Usually, as we know with many mobile video games, especially ones that may rely on microtransactions, for a game to still exist five years after it initially launched is an impressive feat.

I guess, we can thank the magic of the Wizarding World for Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery to continue powering through after half a decade of existence. What’s more, as of June 2022, this mobile game has reportedly grossed an impressive $400 million.

Developed by Jam City, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery takes place before the events of the first novel/movie, the Philosopher’s Stone in 1984, between the birth of our Voldemort-scarred hero and his enrollment at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

As the name of the game suggests, the free mobile action RPG is a mystery title with plenty of secrets of Hogwarts to uncover. However, players can also interact with popular characters of the franchise, as well as attend classes, battle rivals, partake in Quidditch and much more.

Yet, the world of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is about to expand thanks to a free expansion. The ‘Beyond Hogwarts’ is out now and lets players live the life of an adult witch or wizard. The expansion is available to all those that have completed Year 7, Chapter 59 of the main game.

“For the first time ever, we’re giving Harry Potter fans the chance to graduate from Hogwarts and continue their adventure as their character grows up and steps out into the wider Wizarding World,” reads the Q&A on the Hogwarts Mystery blog post.

It continues: “Some time has passed since graduating and their first tasks will be meeting up with Penny in Diagon Alley to see what she’s been up to since leaving school, choosing where they want to live, decorating their very own flat, and uncovering the mystery of just what exactly they’ve signed up for in their first job in the wizarding world.

“There are many new characters and locations to discover, as well as old friends and acquaintances to catch up with as the story unfolds. The most exciting part is, although Hogwarts will remain an important part of your adventure, as an adult witch or wizard there are so many new and exciting places we can take players - and they’ll catch a glimpse of some of these places when they see the new world map menu launching with the update.”

Furthermore, this will not be the end of free goodness for Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, because the developers have promised even more content is on the way with events that celebrate the Dark Arts, as well as something special planned for Christmas too.

In related Harry Potter news, a fantastic mod for Hogwarts Legacy has given the game a stunning ‘photorealistic’ graphics overhaul and players have discovered a huge hidden room.

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is out now on Android and iOS.