For all ofHogwarts Legacy’s strengths—beautiful environmental design, varied gameplay opportunities, et cetera—it never quite reaches its full potential. Shortcomings like a lack of RPG mechanics, a one-dimensional narrative, and bizarre world building are among the greatest offenders holdingHogwarts Legacyback, but they aren’t the only weak points.
True to its name,Hogwarts Legacyaims to providea gaming experience that emulates the Hogwarts experienceseen inHarry Potter. In some ways, the game succeeds (Hogwarts itself is stunningly realized), but in other, more important ways, it falls disappointingly short. For instance, there are no social mechanics to speak of, as the player-character doesn’t have truly in-depth relationships with their fellow students. Looking at older RPGs like the originalMass Effecttrilogy or thePersonagames, it seems clear that Avalanche Software could have gone further in this regard. Speaking more generally, there’s a real sense of restriction and a lack of player expression within the sphere of Hogwarts, and this extends to one of the game’s most-discussed features: the player’s choice of Hogwarts house.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Needs To Better Incentivize Alternate House Playthroughs
The Different Houses of Hogwarts Legacy Aren’t Distinct Enough
There are technicallydifferences between each house inHogwarts Legacy, but they are paltry and superficial. The biggest difference between each house is a single side quest which, while better than nothing, isn’t really substantial enough to warrant a second playthrough; it’s just a unique few minutes in a several-dozen-hour game.
Even these house-specific quests have drawn some controversy, as some, specifically theAzkaban-centric Hufflepuff quest, are more in-depth than others.
Then, there are the different common rooms. To the game’s credit, each common room is well-realized, appealing, and visually distinct: the cool, intellectual halls of Ravenclaw’s common room stand in stark contrast to the cozy intimacy of Gryffindor’s, for example. The issue is thatHogwarts Legacydoesn’t do nearly enough with these common rooms, not giving players any real reason to visit them beyond depositing a specific type of collectible. There aren’t any random events, new dialog options, or chances to bond with classmates, so this house-specific perk winds up falling flat.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Needs to Make House Choice Matter
Completionists, or even those looking to replay a game once or twice, could greatly benefit fromgreater house-by-house differences inHogwarts Legacy 2. As it stands, there’s very little variance between each house, and what differences there are wind up being isolated and underwhelming. Perhaps, then, the nextHogwarts Legacycould remedy these shortcomings by making such differences more pervasive and meaningful, resulting in playthroughs that feel powerfully distinct based on a player’s chosen house.
Instead of justone house-specific quest, perhapsHogwarts Legacy 2could have several, or a single quest chain that stretches throughout the entirety of the main campaign, making it feel more vital to the experience. Alternatively or additionally, the sequel could make certain spells, items, or abilities exclusive to each house. For instance, perhaps Gryfinndor players could have access to a specific offensive power, given the house’s propensity toward heroism, while a Slytherin could have a unique trickster ability, since that house prizes cunning and
Machiavellianism. Even relatively small differences in stats based on class would be better than howHogwarts Legacycurrently handles things, as it would create the sense that the choice of house actually impacts gameplay.
In a sense, houses inHogwarts Legacy 2could take the place of classes or backgrounds in traditional RPGs. In other games in the genre, likeBaldur’s Gate 3or theDragon Ageseries, players are encouraged to replay the game as a different class to experience the full spectrum of gameplay and story differences.Hogwarts Legacy 2could learn from this approach.
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 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 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.
