Summary
Hogwarts Legacyis one of the biggest games of this decade. It largely succeeds in its effort to craft a worthwhile experience intheHarry Potteruniverse, with fun combat, engaging side activities, and memorable characters. It’s a title that sold in astronomical numbers, so more is surely to come, meaning the pressure is high on Avalane Software to match, and even improve on, what it accomplished in 2023.
There are elements ofHogwarts Legacythat are obvious candidates for improvement, namely the diversity of the open world and the storytelling in the main campaign. However, in order for those changes to be worthwhile, the strengths of last year’s offering have to be ever-present, and though it may be tempting to conjure a host of new professors, the best route for effective storytelling is to keep the existing ones, and add to their personalities.
Hogwarts Legacy’s Teachers Were a Highlight
WhenHogwarts Legacywas announced, and it was made clear that the titular castle would play a prominent role in the story, there were naturally high expectations among fans. Thankfully, it was a joy to explore, and was a visual marvel. That can only go so far, though, as the people that roam its historic halls have to be compelling and worthy of having fleeting conversations with in order to make the space feel alive. Perhaps unlike the rest of the open world,Hogwarts School rewards those who engage with the people that litter it.
The students were well-crafted, especially Slytherin’s Sebastian Sallow, but the best part of theHogwarts Legacycast is the plethora of professorsthat can be found in all corners of the castle. Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black is a buffoon who adds to the game’s limited comedic tone, Professor Abraham Ronen’s enthusiasm and positivity is infectious, and Professor Matilda Weasley’s motherly nature makes the protagonist’s transition to Hogwarts feel seamless. Adding to the cast would be wise, and starting fresh with completely different personalities would be a shame, as the aforementioned characters have so much potential for more future stories.
Professors Play a Vital Role in Hogwarts Legacy
Students are subject to a lot of change at Hogwarts, but the professors serve as pillars of the school, and offer a sense of structure in the environment. Their different classrooms are indicative of who they are and what they teach, and in doing so, they give Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry a sense of identity, which is essential toHogwarts Legacy’s tone, world-building, and replay value.
Continuity is Vital for Hogwarts Legacy’s Future
WhileHogwarts Legacyis the best of them, there have beenplenty ofHarry Pottergames in the past. Avalanche Software’s offering takes cues from what has come before and makes the most memorable experience to date, but in doing so, it sets the bar high for a follow-up. The sequel has to maintain some level of continuity in order to build on what the first game did, and must avoid simply replacing its core features, or it runs the risk of feeling like just anotherHarry Pottergame, instead of capitalizing on what the first game started.
That continuity can come in many different forms. Using existing locations would be viable, but could hinder the exploration of the sequel toHogwarts Legacy. The natural way to do this, then, is to bring back familiar faces from the first story, and the best among them are theprofessors of Hogwarts. Having Matilda Weasleyor Aesop Sharp feature once again, but in a different context could bolster their character development while also feeling like a true sequel to the highest selling game of 2023.
