Even though no release date is in sight, fans are already eagerly anticipating Hogwarts Legacy's unconfirmed but seemingly inevitable sequel. The first game finally delivered what Harry Potter fans had been wanting for years, and now a sequel is under pressure to deliver something even better. Players might get a larger map, more spells and cosmetics, and a more elaborate story. But, while that all sounds great, there is another area where a Hogwarts Legacy sequel could really shine.
Just like in the Harry Potter franchise, Hogwarts Legacy had players sort themselves into houses at the very beginning of the game. That decision dictated where players laid their head at night, what special house robe they could unlock, and the house exclusive quests they could go on. Outside of that and the roleplaying potential, the feature was mostly barebones. However, the sequel has the chance to expand upon it considerably, with one of the best ways being through new companion characters.
Hogwarts Legacy's RPG Approach Should Bleed into Another Highly Popular Genre
Hogwarts Legacy successfully brought the Wizarding World to the RPG genre, and now, a studio should really consider taking the concept even further.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Needs to Capitalize on its Many Hogwarts Houses
Hogwarts Legacy Needed Deep Companions
While Hogwarts Legacy may have mostly delivered on the Wizarding World fantasy, the actual story was missing some deep companions. When the game starts, it seems like players will be exploring the world with some of their housemates. However, they quickly learn that most of these housemates are simply background characters, with only a very select few being vital to the story. The rest seem to solely exist to build out the world or to give players short side quests, yet they could have been so much more.
Hogwarts Legacy felt like the perfect game for a deep companion system. One of the core elements of Harry Potter is the dynamic between the core trio and how they grow and evolve throughout the seven books. Along with that, readers get to see how they interact with dozens of other classmates, and how those students also become stronger or change as the years progress. It was one thing fans were hoping for in this massive adventure, so hopefully the next game is able to deliver.
Deep Companions Would Make Hogwarts Houses Truly Matter
Deep companions in the sequel need to be tied to Hogwarts Legacy's houses. The house decision should mean much more than simply story fluff, and instead, it should dictate the characters that players call allies. When players select their house, they could be introduced to a couple of classmates that also call that house their home. Then, they could take said characters on their adventures and grow closer to them in the process. As their relationship grows, they could embark on new companion-exclusive questlines like the fan-favorite Sebastian Sallow questline.
This would not only make the house decision feel more important, but would also be a great way to reward multiple playthroughs. Because, depending upon what house players chose, they would discover new stories and unique characters to explore Hogwarts with. While Avalanche would have to try its hardest to balance these questlines so that no house has a clear advantage over another, including something like this could really help spruce up Hogwarts Legacy 2 immensely.
Fans want to truly feel what it is like to live within the Harry Potter world, and while the first game partially delivered on the premise, there is still so much the studio could do. Even though house-exclusive characters may prove controversial for some, that addition seems like one of the best ways to achieve the true Hogwarts experience. Since Hogwarts Legacy has already laid the groundwork, Avalanche can forge ahead with delivering the ultimate Wizarding World RPG, but fans will likely have to wait a while before they see anything come to fruition.
Hogwarts Legacy
- Released
- February 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books. For the first time, experience Hogwarts in the 1800s. Your character is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. Now you can take control of the action and be at the center of your own adventure in the wizarding world. Your legacy is what you make of it.
Explore an Open World
The wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.
Be the Witch or Wizard You Want to be
Learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be Experience a New Wizarding World Adventure
Experience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world.
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Software
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Bros. Games
- Franchise
- Harry Potter
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- Metascore
- 84
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
