The Unforgettable Brilliance of Hogwarts Legacy's Ominis

Highlights

The rise in popularity of gaming has brought about an increase in moral dilemmas within gameplay. In titles such as Hogwarts Legacy, players find themselves facing ethical predicaments that carry significant consequences. Characters like Ominis Gaunt serve as powerful reminders, cautioning players about the potential risks involved in their actions.

Driven by love and an unwavering determination to save his sister, Sebastian Sallow is willing to defy rules and break traditions in his quest for a cure.

Ominis Gaunt acts as a moral compass, cautioning players about Sebastian's reliance on dark magic and ultimately prioritizing justice over his friendship.

Moral dilemmas have become increasingly popular in the gaming world as more franchises incorporate choice systems into their gameplay. This allows players to create unique endings based on their decisions. Games like The Witcher 3 often present players with difficult choices, where even minor actions can have significant consequences later in the game's storyline. In Hogwarts Legacy, players are given the opportunity to experience an ethical dilemma as they embark on a quest to save Sebastian Sallow's sister, Anne. As the saying goes, good intentions can sometimes lead to unintended consequences. In this regard, Ominis Gaunt serves as an unsung hero by providing players with multiple chances to maintain a morally upright path throughout Hogwarts Legacy.

Love and determination can often overcome obstacles in one's path. In Hogwarts Legacy, Sebastian disregards values and traditions in his relentless search for a cure to his sister's illness, which is caused by a curse. The Hogwarts student is determined to restore his sister's health and seeks the assistance of players to achieve this noble goal. However, players soon discover that Sebastian is willing to break rules along the way. While many players may enjoy the allure of learning Unforgivable Curses from Sebastian, Ominis acts as a moral checkpoint, challenging players to consider the consequences of their choices.

Ominis Gaunt Draws a Line in the Sand in Hogwarts Legacy

The alluring nature of the Dark Arts captivates gamers, and Azkaban's subdued significance in Hogwarts Legacy only fuels their curiosity to experiment with spells considered taboo by the school's society. Within Sebastian's side quests, players learn valuable combat charms, while his main storyline's use of Unforgivable Curses blurs the line between right and wrong. Players are forced to weigh the choice of supporting him, utilizing dark magic for a noble cause while compromising their morality.

The decision is heavily influenced by the protagonist's relationship with Sebastian, with personal factors potentially leading players to align with his reckless approach to save his sister. However, Sebastian's uncle Solomon and Ominis Gaunt act as deterrents, cautioning against assisting the young wizard's involvement with the Dark Arts. Throughout Hogwarts Legacy, Ominis consistently warns players about Sebastian's methods, even taking them aside privately to express his concerns and reservations, urging them to reconsider their plan to rescue Anne.

Ominis, a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin and an ancestor of Voldemort, stands out as the exception in his Pureblood family, resisting their attraction to dark magic. He personally witnessed the devastating consequences of Unforgivable Curses, which led him to distance himself from his family. His firm opposition to Dark Arts becomes a point of conflict in his relationship with Sebastian. Despite Sebastian's repeated assurances to abstain from dabbling in the Dark Arts, his desperation to save his sister drives him deeper into forbidden territory. Manipulating Ominis, Sebastian gains access to Slytherin's Scriptorium, a place that can only be escaped by casting the forbidden Crucio spell. In a selfless act, Ominis sacrifices himself by casting the spell to aid his friend.

As Sebastian's journey progresses, it culminates in him impulsively murdering his uncle in a fit of rage using the Avada Kedavra curse. This act becomes the final straw for Ominis. Players are then faced with the ultimate decision of either handing Sebastian over to the authorities or assisting him in evading punishment. Throughout the game, Ominis consistently manifests his unwavering resistance against evil, ultimately choosing to send his closest friend to face justice. This unwavering stance showcases Ominis' remarkable character.

Hogwarts Legacy is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Switch release scheduled for November 14, 2023.