Although it's far from perfect, Hogwarts Legacy sows the seed for a compelling and captivating fantasy RPG series. If the next Hogwarts Legacy can meaningfully build on its predecessor, expanding both its gameplay and narrative foundations, then it has the potential to be something special. But it will most likely still suffer from at least one major restriction.

One of the many criticisms of Hogwarts Legacy is its overall narrative. Atmospheric, charming, and memorable as the game may be in some places, its main story is sadly forgettable and fails to leave a long-lasting impression. The tale follows a rather typical "chosen one" formula, but instead of saving the world from a gross, malignant evil, the protagonist is simply caught in the middle of a Goblin uprising, which threatens a far lower-stakes fate. Questionable implications about the civil rights of magical beings aside, the small scope of both the hero's special powers and the main conflict can be attributed to the game's place in the overall Harry Potter timeline, being dictated by what comes after it.

Hogwarts Legacy witch with combat and exploration in the background
The Unwritten Rules of Hogwarts Legacy Explained

There are several exploration and combat unwritten rules players should be aware of before diving into the magical world of Hogwarts Legacy.

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Why Hogwarts Legacy 2 May Not Be Able to Properly Up the Ante

Hogwarts Legacy Is Hogtied to the Harry Potter Mythos

Hogwarts Legacy is set in the same continuity as Harry Potter, as evidenced by the many important character, historical, and world-building connections between the properties. Because of this bond, Hogwarts Legacy is decidedly limited in what it can actually do from a narrative standpoint.

For instance, Ranrok threatens to destroy Hogwarts during the game's climax, but anyone with a passing familiarity with Harry Potter knows that this cannot happen because this would have led to repercussions in the following stories. In other words, since Hogwarts Legac y takes place before the events of Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beasts movies, it can't take its stakes too far, lest it contradict its inherited mythology or open the broader franchise up to plot holes.

Hogwarts Legacy Can't Do Much If It Stays in the Past

Although there's potential for Hogwarts Legacy 2 possibly being set in the future, there's a solid chance that this won't happen. There are a number of reasons for this, but perhaps the two biggest factors are brand recognition and the future of the Harry Potter franchise. Hogwarts Legacy had a gargantuan task ahead of it: it had to differentiate itself from the ubiquitous Harry Potter books and movies while still feeling familiar. It achieved this, in part, by being set in the 1800s, giving audiences a fresh look at a world that they have seen many times over at this point.

As for the future of the Harry Potter franchise, the next Hogwarts Legacy can't infringe on the series' next entries, which is what would happen if it were to take place during or around the events of the books, or even the Fantastic Beasts films. If Hogwarts Legacy 2 was to leap forward in time, telling a dramatic and high-stakes story just after the conclusion of Harry Potter, then it would lock Warner Bros. Into certain plot elements for future films, shows, or books. If the creative minds behind Harry Potter decide that they don't like the direction that this theoretical game took with its story, they would have their hands tied.

Assuming Hogwarts Legacy 2 is a direct sequel, it will have to tread carefully to avoid trampling on long-running canon. The same can be said if Hogwarts Legacy 2 delves deeper into the past. This puts an upper limit on the game's narrative premise, once again locking Avalanche Software out of more lasting or significant plot developments.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Hogwarts Legacy
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Action
RPG
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
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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
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Franchise
Harry Potter
Steam Deck Compatibility
Verified
Genre(s)
Action, RPG
How Long To Beat
26 Hours
X|S Optimized
yes
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty