Summary
- Hogwarts Legacy excelled at bringing the iconic Hogwarts School to life, sparking speculation about a potential sequel.
- If one happens, it should address the absence of a well-written gamekeeper like Hagrid in the game, as it left a noticeable gap in the Hogwarts experience.
- While the current game features a barely seen gamekeeper, a potential sequel should expand on this role for a more meaningful connection, giving them a proper speaking role and a presence in quests.
Hogwarts Legacy brought a brand-new wizard-focused RPG to life that allowed players to experience life in the titular school from the Harry Potter franchise. Avalanche Software's venture into the world of Harry Potter wasn't perfect, but Hogwarts Legacy still managed to be the highest-selling title of 2023. Despite a few issues, the game excelled at making the grounds and building of Hogwarts feel alive, which has ignited a lot of speculation about a potential sequel in the future.
So far, neither Warner Bros. Nor Avalanche Software have officially confirmed the existence of a Hogwarts Legacy sequel, but the impressive sales numbers make it seem highly likely. From the four Houses to magical creatures, like Hippogriffs, Hogwarts Legacy features a lot of the aspects that make the Harry Potter franchise so unique. However, there are still things missing from the game that could have made Hogwarts feel more realized overall. The absence of Quidditch was a big downside of the game, but the lack of a well-written gamekeeper also leaves a hole in the fabric of Hogwarts.
Hogwarts Legacy's Sequel Would Be Wise to Introduce a Gamekeeper
An Iconic Role in the Franchise is Sorely Missed
Although Hogwarts Legacy takes place around 100 years before the events of Harry Potter, the lack of a gamekeeper can really be felt within the game. Hagrid is one of the most notable characters and confidants to Harry throughout his journey, and the wide array of creatures that he cares for make him a fan favorite in the story.
To Hagrid, his pets are more than just animals. Each pet is treated like a family member, and it's a charming aspect of how Hogwarts works as a school. Having someone on the grounds to take care of the various magical animals that inhabit the land ultimately makes the school feel like a safer place. Whether it's Fluffy, a giant three-headed dog or a Norwegian Ridgeback dragon named Norbert, Hagrid's reverence for animals is a great quality that a Hogwarts Legacy follow-up should embrace.
There are plenty of features from Harry Potter that Hogwarts Legacy uses as inspiration, but the game dropped the ball in terms of a character as charming and warm as Hagrid. Of course, there are plenty of magical creatures that players can run into while exploring, but a sequel showcasing someone on the grounds to serve as a guardian would serve as a meaningful nod to the original franchise.
Hogwarts Legacy Only Offers a Glimpse at its Gamekeeper
To be fair, Hogwarts Legacy isn't completely missing a gamekeeper. However, he is barely ever seen and lacks any meaningful role in the story. He can be seen tending to Hogwarts' grounds, but that is the extent of his place in the narrative. Pretty much all that is known about the character is that he was clearly the gamekeeper at Hogwarts in the 1890s. Not even his name is mentioned. This is an unfortunate choice from Avalanche Software, as it robs players of getting the chance to have a bond with the gamekeeper that is similar to Harry and Hagrid's friendship.
If a sequel is eventually announced, the next Hogwarts Legacy will hopefully expand on this gamekeeper and his role at the school, or even introduce a new one. Hagrid was part of the beating heart of Harry Potter, and the absence of a character similar to him is quickly felt when playing the game. Of course, Hogwarts Legacy is set in its own period at the school, so the story is going to be different in some aspects. However, adding a few characters that create compelling parallels to the source material could help both worlds feel more connected.
Hogwarts Legacy
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- February 10, 2023
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Software
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Bros. Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Cross-Platform Play
- Hogwarts Legacy doesn't have crossplay or crossplatform support
- Cross Save
- you can freely use your saved data between each console as long as you are connected to the internet and signed into the same account where the saved data was created
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- Harry Potter
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- 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
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
