Hogwarts Legacy: Unveiling the Dark Truth Behind Its Four Houses

The release of Avalanche Software's Hogwarts Legacy earlier this year marked a significant milestone in the vast Wizarding World, generating immense excitement among fans eager to explore a different aspect of the renowned school. Hogwarts Legacy largely lived up to player expectations, offering a captivating magical adventure that delved deep into the established lore while also introducing its own. Despite receiving praise for its stunning visuals and meticulously crafted environments, there were certain areas where Hogwarts Legacy could have further maximized its potential.

While the game's attention to visual detail was widely applauded, some of its gameplay elements failed to impress fans as much. Additionally, the story and antagonists faced criticism even before the game's release. Given the dedicated fan base, it was inevitable that Hogwarts Legacy would encounter challenges in satisfying everyone. However, one particular feature that left fans disappointed was the treatment of the various school Houses, as the game struggled to effectively differentiate between them.

Houses In Hogwarts Legacy

In Hogwarts Legacy, players have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of the four Hogwarts Houses. With a long-standing tradition of fans aligning themselves with a specific House based on their personalities and preferences, the game allows players to truly embody their chosen House. The character creation aspect of Hogwarts Legacy generated significant buzz prior to its release, as fans eagerly anticipated the chance to shape their protagonist through House selection.

At the commencement of the game, players participate in the Sorting Hat ceremony, where they are assigned to one of the four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. They have the option to either accept the House selected for them based on a series of quick questions, or manually choose the House that resonates with them. The House a player is sorted into determines the color of their school robes, grants access to a specific common room, and influences various other elements of the game. However, while each House offers a unique main quest, the overall experience within the different Houses remains largely similar, which may have disappointed some fans.

How Hogwarts Legacy Missed An Opportunity

The impact of the player's House on their Hogwarts Legacy playthrough is relatively minimal, aside from a few visual differences and unique dialogue options. This missed opportunity is particularly disappointing considering the significant role the Hogwarts Houses play in the books and films, as well as their popularity among fans. Players are left to assign their own significance to their chosen House and rely on personal headcanon to develop their protagonist, which is a common occurrence in gaming but can still be underwhelming for players.

Hogwarts Legacy could have taken advantage of the Houses by incorporating unique companions based on a player's affiliation and offering tailored quests that differ for each House. It would have been interesting to see more tension between characters from different Houses, especially those with historical animosity like Slytherin and Gryffindor. To further enhance the experience, exclusive items tied to the founders of each House could have been utilized as in-game perks for House-specific quests. This would not only deepen the worldbuilding but also increase the replay value of Hogwarts Legacy.

Hogwarts Legacy is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Switch version releasing November 14.