Why Hogwarts Legacy’s Sequels Will Change The Way You View Harry Potter Forever

Hogwarts Legacy, created by Avalanche, is an exciting addition to the Harry Potter universe as it presents a unique setting in the late-1800s that allows for new storylines to be explored without disrupting the established canon. While the game appears to be a Hogwarts student simulator on the surface, its narrative is much deeper and emotionally impactful, surpassing expectations of a simple nostalgia trip for fans. However, there is room for improvement in terms of transgender representation and the handling of player choice and morality, as it seems a dedicated morality system was abandoned during development. Despite this, Hogwarts Legacy has the potential to stand out by exploring the darker and more mature themes of the franchise.

Hogwarts Legacy Should Lean Fully into Sinister, Mature Themes

While a macabre or malicious tone may not be essential to a successful Harry Potter narrative, the shift towards a more mature theme helped to set it apart as a franchise that could appeal to a wider audience beyond children. Even from the beginning, the series contained mature elements such as a villainous Dark Lord, blood-written messages, bigotry towards students, and the struggles of being an orphan in a magical world.

However, the initial installments of the series had a more carefree and innocent tone due to the young age of the main characters. With the potential for a new Max Harry Potter series, it's likely that the first few seasons will continue with a similarly lighthearted atmosphere.

However, Hogwarts Legacy has the potential to explore the darker side of the Harry Potter universe, which is absent in games like Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. The absence of tragedy or tribulation in Quidditch Champions allows Hogwarts Legacy to delve into the grim narrative of the wizarding world. Isidora Morganach and Sebastian Sallow are prime examples of how the game has already done this phenomenally, by exploring the allure of Ancient Magic and the devastating consequences of using Unforgivable Curses. While the game allows players to wield these powerful magical abilities, the weight of their actions is not fully realized without consequences.

Including a morality system in Hogwarts Legacy would have added a new layer of depth to the game. Players would have been forced to consider the consequences of their actions, especially when it comes to casting curses like the Killing Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, or the Imperius Curse. While Avalanche may have wanted to give fans the freedom to play as they please, implementing a morality system would have made those choices feel more impactful.

With a sequel, the game could explore the darker path of casting these curses and make it a much more harrowing experience for the player and the characters they interact with. This could also lead to a more unsettling narrative, setting itself apart from other Harry Potter content.

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