Summary
Avalanche Software’sHogwarts Legacyis a rather interesting game, not only because of what it does right, but also because of the potential that it represents. As essentially the first big-budgetHarry Pottergame not based directly on one of the books or films,Hogwarts Legacyhad a gargantuan task to complete: makeHarry Potter’s world work in a radically distinct time period, removed from the characters and conflicts that fans have come to love from the source material.
Many would argue that the game succeeded in this regard, which is more than fair. ButHogwarts Legacyalso misses some opportunitiesthat a sequel is well-positioned to seize. One such missed opportunity is the ancient magic system, both in terms of gameplay and lore. From a gameplay perspective, ancient magic is essentially an ultimate ability, gradually charging up during combat for use as a devastating attack. It’s also the crux of the game’s plot, as the study and control of ancient magic is what Ranrok and the Keepers are struggling over. These concepts could be fleshed out inHogwarts Legacy 2, but it may also be beneficial to leave them behind entirely.
Reprising Ancient Magic in Hogwarts Legacy 2: The Pros and Cons
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Could Do Cool Things with Ancient Magic
Lore-wise, ancient magic is a bit underbaked, which is one of the reasons why many players prefercertainHogwarts Legacyside questsover the main story. Put plainly, ancient magic is a more nebulous, loosely defined version of a McGuffin—a much-maligned storytelling trope that involves an object or concept that is important to characters, but not to the audience. Ancient magic can ‘remove sadness’ from people, turn dark wizards into dragons, and cause a number of miscellaneous magic effects that don’t seem meaningfully different from other, more mundane spells. For instance, players can use ancient magic to:
Theancient magic finishers can certainly look cool, but they aren’t interesting beyond aesthetic details because they aren’t different enough from everyday spells. The story insists that ancient magic is important, enigmatic, and misunderstood, but it doesn’t take steps to answer any of these questions. It’s fine if Avalanche wants to keep ancient magic mysterious, but it needs more context to be a meaningful addition to theHarry Potterlore. Otherwise, it’s just something that the story cares deeply about, but that is actually more bland than traditional magic.
This can beimproved inHogwarts Legacy 2.Since ancient magic is the most significant contributionHogwarts Legacymakes toHarry Pottercanon, the sequel is in an interesting position to double-down on it, fleshing it out and more effectively expressing why it’s such an important part of this fictional world.
Ancient Magic Might Be Better Left Behind
If ancient magic is going to return, then it must be better defined. But if Avalanche Software doesn’t have any solid ideas for this, then new narrative avenues should be explored instead. There’s reason to believe that this may be the case as, by the timecredits roll onHogwarts Legacy, ancient magic feels as mysterious and inconsequential as it did at the start of the game, with no loose ends to tie up. It’s labeled as vaguely dangerous magic, only able to be used by a select handful of wizards, and that’s that. Its absence from other pieces ofHarry Pottermedia also suggests that it doesn’t leave much of an impact on the world outside the story ofHogwarts Legacy.
IfHogwarts Legacy 2features a new protagonist, then it would be perfectly acceptable to leave ancient magic in the past. This may even be advisable, as the next hero could be more relatable and less of a cliché ‘chosen one’ archetype. Basically, if ancient magic can be made more interesting, then great, but if not, then its removal probably wouldn’t be a big deal.
Hogwarts Legacy
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 may 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 WorldThe wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.Be the Witch or Wizard You Want to beLearn 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 AdventureExperience 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.
