Summary
Hogwarts Legacy’s name is more than just a tagline, as it has the difficult task of upholding the lofty name of theHarry Potterlicense. It’s a game that, for the most part, succeeds in doing this, providing players with a fully-realized and faithful open-world recreation ofHogwarts Castle and its groundsfor them to explore at their leisure.
It’s a new installment in a franchise that has struggled to find its footing in the gaming space, as film tie-ins andLEGOadaptations have been the only source of virtual entertainment forHarry Potterfans.Hogwarts Legacyis a success, both critically and commercially, but developer Avalanche Software might have to change things up with a potential sequel.
Hogwarts Legacy Upholds Harry Potter’s Serious Themes
When magic and other supernatural elements are injected in any story, the directions it can go with its tone expand massively. Be it the darker themes explored inThe Witcherto the more youthful and uplifting feeling ofthe likes ofPercy JacksonorThe Chronicles of Narnia, magic is a catalyst for a great amount of change and freedom. TheHarry Potterfilms evolved the tone as the gravity of the situation escalated, with the first couple being deliberately lighter and more whimsical, and gradually more serious as Harry and his friends find their place in a more far-reaching story.
In many ways,Hogwarts Legacyfeels like a smaller version of the same trajectory, as players are introduced tothe whimsy of Hogsmeadeand the wonderment of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It does so well to showcase the lighter side of the property.
Hogwarts Legacy’s Seriousness Extends to the Side Content
However, as the main story continues, the tone drops into something darker. Ranrok’s rebellion is a big obstacle to overcome, but away from the main campaign, there’s more gloominess to uncover.Sebastian Sallow’s surprisingly deep character arcand grappling with the Unforgivable Curses makes the latter stages ofHogwarts Legacya far cry from the upbeat merriment of the early hours.
Hogwarts Legacy Being Lighter Could be a Welcome, but Tough Change
Hogwarts Legacy’s follow-upneeds to be unique if it is to not only stand out, but also compliment the first game. Instead of dragging it into the darkness, lifting it into the light could push players forward in the story and keep them coming back as it would be warmer and more welcoming than an open-world RPG that takes itself too seriously. The curiosities that litterHarry Potterand the rest of the wizarding world, from the spells, locations, and even the litany of fantastic beasts are ripe for wonderful tales that can help the setting feel like a more light-hearted juxtaposition to the first game.
Hogwarts Legacyis set around 100 years before the events ofHarry Potter, and focuses largely on the fight to resist Ranrok’s goblin rebellion.
To achieve that feat, however, the franchise would have to somehow unpick the darker themes present in the first game to make the change feel seamless. For a character like Sebastian Sallow who goes down an immoral path orplaces like the Forbidden Forestwhich is dark by design, it would be hard to involve them in an upbeat tale in a way that honors their traits.Harry Potter’s evolving tone makes it great, andHogwarts Legacyhas to find a way to match what it does well in a lengthy game rather than a fleeting film.
