Highlights
Hogwarts Legacy successfully creates an immersive world in the Harry Potter universe, but experiences minor issues with performance and an unremarkable story.
Addressing the protagonist's past choices becomes a narrative challenge in a potential sequel due to the incorporation of the Unforgivable Curses in the game.
While the absence of Quidditch in Hogwarts Legacy is understandable considering the emphasis on exploration and storytelling, its inclusion in a sequel would enhance the overall design.
Situated in a magical IP renowned for its boundless possibilities, Hogwarts Legacy faced a daunting task in capturing the essence of the beloved franchise. In many aspects, it succeeded, transporting players to the enchanting late-19th century with a myriad of captivating experiences within the iconic castle and the immersive Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
While Hogwarts Legacy possesses minor and evident flaws, such as inconsistent performance and a relatively unremarkable storyline, its commendable efforts in constructing a fully immersive Harry Potter universe cannot be overlooked. As a potential sequel is considered, it becomes crucial to address two key aspects in order to maintain narrative consistency and fulfill the highly requested inclusion.
Hogwarts Must Punish the Unforgivable Curses
Hogwarts Legacy offers a standout feature that sets it apart from film tie-in games: player agency. Unlike its counterparts, this 2023 game by Avalanche Software does not dictate the player's every move. Instead, players have the freedom to engage with classes and the world to their desired extent. This autonomy even extends to learning new spells, including the infamous Unforgivable Curses, should players choose to follow Sebastian Sallow's emotional storyline. While these curses can greatly enhance combat abilities, it poses a narrative challenge.
The Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy derive their name from their ability to cause suffering and death. Therefore, once the protagonist embarks on the path of utilizing these curses at their whim, it becomes a momentous story development that cannot simply be overlooked in any potential sequels. Future installments, such as Hogwarts Legacy 2, will need to find a way to integrate characters who have learned and employed these curses while still establishing them as believable heroes without neglecting their tumultuous past. Although the inclusion of these curses is commendable, they undeniably present a challenge for the developers moving forward.
Hogwarts Legacy Can't Ditch Quidditch
The lack of Quidditch in Hogwarts Legacy is a notable disappointment. It is removed from the plot by headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black, who cancels the season due to an 'injury' on the field. While the game already offers an impressive exploration and storytelling experience, the absence of Quidditch is understandable due to the game's extensive content and development time constraints.
However, in the future Hogwarts Legacy sequel, including Quidditch would be a logical and significant improvement to the game. Many of the core mechanics are already established, and while there may be some performance and narrative adjustments needed, allowing players to engage in Quidditch would greatly enhance the overall design. Quidditch is deeply intertwined with the school's lore and beloved students, and neglecting its inclusion in a later installment could make the series feel stagnant. Hogwarts Legacy successfully captures the magic of the Harry Potter universe, and by addressing these two missing elements, it would undoubtedly elevate an already impressive gaming experience.
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.