Unleashing Magic: Why Harry Potter Games Remakes are a Must-Have Alongside Max's Series
A new Harry Potter series is coming to Max streaming service, but remaking the previous games would be a mistake This article explores why the games lacked magic and why Harry Potter doesn't need more adaptations
Harry Potter is one of the most acclaimed fictional franchises, comparable to Star Trek and Star Wars in impact. Created by JK Rowling, it captured the hearts of young people worldwide in the 2000s. The series includes eight movies, a spin-off franchise called Fantastic Beasts, and several video games, including the highly anticipated Hogwarts Legacy.
Despite its success in other areas, the video game adaptations of Harry Potter have often fallen short. Many have been lackluster movie tie-ins, lacking creativity and effort. Therefore, the positive reception of Hogwarts Legacy was a pleasant surprise.
Now, with news of a full-fledged TV remake in the works, the allure of the wizarding world is once again in the spotlight. While remaking the films for television or streaming platforms may seem like a sound commercial decision, it may be wise to avoid remaking the video games that accompanied the movies.
The Harry Potter Games Lacked Magic
While games like The Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup evoke nostalgia and have their charm, they were limited by the technological constraints of their time. Early PlayStation systems lacked the power to create expansive worlds and deliver seamless performance, which constrained most developers. Subsequently, the game adaptations of later Harry Potter films suffered from a significant disparity between AAA titles and lower-budget ones. Consequently, tie-in games like The Deathly Hallows were simply subpar.
In this regard, context becomes crucial for new Harry Potter games. They should provide fans with deeper insights into the setting, side characters, and subplots that enhance the story told by the original Max series, rather than merely adapting it to a different medium. The success of Hogwarts Legacy has attracted casual Harry Potter fans to gaming, and it would be wise to capitalize on this momentum by offering experiences that complement the TV show. By bridging the gap between games and TV, a fictional realm can be created that fans can enjoy on any platform of their choice. This would ensure a smart long-term strategy for the franchise.
Harry Potter Needs No More Adaptations
The world of Harry Potter holds immense wonder. With its diverse characters and fantastical locations, it encompasses classic fantasy elements. Though the books and films followed one protagonist on a familiar journey, it is evident that the potential of this universe extends far beyond Harry Potter's story. With the inclusion of Fantastic Beasts, Hogwarts Legacy, and the wealth of lore on wizardingworld.com, it is clear that there are numerous possibilities for unique and captivating narratives. Rather than rehashing old ground with remakes of the film tie-in games, it would be more prudent to explore fresh tales, steering away from both successful and unsuccessful endeavors of the past.
The remake series will render the movies obsolete and it would be unnecessary to recreate the Harry Potter games. This brings excitement to fans of Harry Potter and the gaming community, even though it is overshadowed by the highly anticipated adaptation of Max. Hogwarts Legacy can be played on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The release for the Nintendo Switch version is set for November 14.
