The Essential Game-Changing Feature Hogwarts Legacy's Sequel Must Have!

Hogwarts Legacy exceeded expectations in several aspects, providing Harry Potter fans with a long-awaited and captivating wizarding world experience. However, there are certain elements in its design that could benefit from improvement. The dormitories representing the four houses of Hogwarts added a touch of charm to the game but were inadequately utilized and arguably unnecessary to the overall experience of Hogwarts Legacy.

Despite initial skepticism, Avalanche Software's first venture into AAA open-world gaming proved to be an overwhelming triumph. Hogwarts Legacy received critical acclaim and shattered sales records for Warner Bros, sparking immediate speculation about a potential sequel and the likelihood of Avalanche being chosen to develop it. While there is currently no official confirmation, it would be surprising if Hogwarts Legacy remained a standalone title, with the studio presumably already in the early stages of creating another Harry Potter-themed game.

Hogwarts Legacy's Gorgeous World Left Something to be Desired

Hogwarts Legacy flawlessly incorporates elements from popular open-world games, drawing inspiration from Ubisoft, Bethesda, and CD Projekt Red. The meticulously designed environments of Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the stunning Scottish countryside are filled with hidden secrets and collectibles for players to discover. Additionally, the game offers a substantial amount of side quests, ensuring hours of engagement within its immersive world. Despite a few minor faults, Hogwarts Legacy stands as an impressive achievement for a studio that previously focused on Disney Infinity and less ambitious movie tie-in games.

However, one aspect that receives criticism in Hogwarts Legacy is the lack of liveliness in certain areas. A well-crafted open-world game should provide hubs where players can naturally progress and find comfort, offering a break from the narrative's drama and conflicts. While the Room of Requirement in Hogwarts Legacy serves this purpose adequately, it falls short of its potential. The game lacks an area that feels independently alive, regardless of whether the player is present.

Hogwarts Legacy's Sequel Should Feel More Alive

At the beginning of the game, the Sorting Hat assigned players to one of the four houses in Hogwarts. This had a significant impact on the game's story and the player's access to different areas of the school. The introduction of the dormitories initially suggested that they would serve as central hubs for dynamic quests, interactions with side characters, and a cozy space to relax. However, these expectations were mostly left unfulfilled, including the missed opportunity to receive quests from a dormitory bulletin board.

For the inevitable sequel to Hogwarts Legacy, it is crucial for Avalanche to prioritize the dormitories of each house and make them more valuable for players to revisit throughout the game. The dormitories should be designed to evolve alongside the player's progress in the story, enhancing the sense of immersion. For example, after completing a side quest, a character could be encountered in class and later be found in the dormitory, available for a chat or a game of wizard's chess.

It would be great to see even small details like dynamic dialogue, furnishings that reflect the player's progress in the game, or more realistic exploration patterns for other students. The dormitories in Hogwarts Legacy felt artificial because NPCs never used the beds to sleep. However, in the game's next installment, it will be important to create a more lived-in Hogwarts, starting with the dormitory which plays a significant role in the students' lives.

Hogwarts Legacy is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and will be released on Nintendo Switch on November 14.