The vast majority of video games tend to fall into a few distinct, overarching categories. There are video games that are considered brand-new IP, there are established IP and sequels, and there are remakes/spin-offs. Practically every video game can be sorted into those three general categories. However, over the last few years, the half-sequel has reared its head. Not quite adding enough content or pushing the overall series story forward enough to be considered a full sequel, but still being regarded as the next canonical step in the franchise, these half-sequels have seemingly started to become a new industry mainstay. While some may not like the approach, it's something that Hogwarts Legacy should consider doing too.
Due to their smaller scopes and shorter lengths, half-sequels have become increasingly popular in the AAA space, particularly with first-party PlayStation franchises like Uncharted and Marvel's Spider-Man. And while both a God of War and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 half-sequel are rumored to be in the works right now, it's actually Hogwarts Legacy that could really benefit from this new format.
Ghost of Tsushima and Hogwarts Legacy Are in the Same Boat Right Now
Ghost of Tsushima and Hogwarts Legacy may not have too much in common, but they find themselves in the same boat right now in one pretty major way.
The Hogwarts Legacy Universe is Ripe for Half-Sequels
Spider-Man and God of War Half-Sequels Are No-Brainers
It's easy to see why half-sequels are starting to become a much more popular format for big AAA developers. For just $10 less (thus far), developers can release a game that's half the length and scope of a full sequel. With it following on from a pre-established franchise, it's practically guaranteed to be a massive success for all involved. Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the perfect example of this, still costing $50 at launch.
It's been heavily rumored already that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 will get a half-sequel centered around Venom, and while all rumors should be taken with a big pinch of salt, that would make complete sense. Insomniac has already had first-hand experience of the half-sequel format and has seen its benefits directly, and with Marvel's Spider-Man 2 leaving plenty of plot threads dangling, a half-sequel that follows up on a few seems like a logical next step. It's also been heavily rumored that a God of War half-sequel is in the works, potentially following Atreus as he continues his search for the missing Giants, and again, this would make complete sense.
Hogwarts Legacy Has Even More Potential When It Comes to Half-Sequels
But while Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and God of War half-sequels would make sense, it's actually Hogwarts Legacy that has the most potential of all three franchises when it comes to half-sequels. The whole core premise of Hogwarts Legacy and its universe is that the player character can really be anyone, at any time. A half-sequel of Hogwarts Legacy could see players take control of the same protagonist just a few months after the first game's events, could see them take control of one of the game's companion characters, see them control a completely new student altogether, or even take control of a professor.
The setting of Hogwarts Legacy also lends itself to being changed dramatically with ease, letting a half-sequel have an immediately unique sense of identity. While the castle itself can remain pretty much unchanged, the surrounding grounds, hamlets, and forests can all be built on and evolved to fit a new time period. Alternatively, a Hogwarts Legacy half-sequel could go somewhere completely different, with the Wizarding World being a truly vast one that's ripe for a variety of spinoffs, DLCs, or half-sequels.
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
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.
- 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
