Highlights
- Despite its success, Hogwarts Legacy has some flaws. Improvements could make the sequel even better.
- Adding character backgrounds and a class system would enhance the immersion and replayability of the game.
- The way the game handles the Dark Arts is criticized; a sequel should make it more difficult to obtain and introduce drawbacks to using them, possibly tied to a morality system or companion loyalty mechanic.
2023's Hogwarts Legacy proved to be a massive success with players and critics alike, and a sequel to the game seems like an easy choice for Warner Bros. and Avalanche Software. The next game in the burgeoning series has yet to be officially confirmed, but considering the impressive sales of Hogwarts Legacy and the iconic status of the Harry Potter IP, a sequel seems inevitable. If this potential sequel does come to fruition, there are a few key elements that could make it a massive improvement over its predecessor.
Hogwarts Legacy may be one of the best-selling games of the year, but just like any game, it has its issues. Hogwarts itself is beautifully realized and detailed, but the rest of the world can feel somewhat empty, falling victim to some of the most commonly maligned open-world design pitfalls. The main Hogwarts Legacy story, while not without its merits, is held back by a number of factors, for example, and is not typically the most praised part of the whole package. Touching up some of these weaker areas would allow the sequel to hone in on the franchise's strengths, making for a sequel that is a massive step up from the already beloved first game.
Character Backgrounds Would Be a Welcome Addition to a Hogwarts Legacy Sequel
Though the game has been highly praised for its character creation options, Hogwarts Legacy falls short of other RPGs when it comes to creating a fleshed-out, plausible character. Important details, like whether the player character is muggle-born, half-blood, or pure-blood, aren't included in the game, and allowing players to select one of these backgrounds, along with other fundamental character traits, would make for a more immersive and engaging RPG experience. As it stands, the player character's backstory in Hogwarts Legacy is an elephant in the room; a sequel could turn it into an enriching detail.
Hogwarts Legacy's Sequel Should Have a Class System
Along those same lines, some sort of class or build system would help make the sequel to Hogwarts Legacy much more enjoyable and replayable. There are no real trade-offs or choices to be made in Hogwarts Legacy when it comes to having access to different spells or abilities, which can make gameplay feel shallow at times. Even if the sequel features a loose class system, it would allow for creativity and intentionality in builds, and replay value would increase dramatically.
Hogwarts Legacy's Sequel Needs to Address the Use of the Dark Arts
The way Hogwarts Legacy handles the Dark Arts is one of the most heavily criticized aspects of the game. Using dark magic has no impact on the story or game world, and there's no downside to using them, making them mechanically shallow. Moreover, it harms immersion, which is vital in an RPG of this nature. A sequel should make this magic more difficult to obtain, and there should be drawbacks to using them. These drawbacks could be in the form of a morality system or a companion loyalty mechanic, or the player character could be locked out of certain spells and abilities if they choose to use Unforgivable Curses. This would tie neatly into the aforementioned class system.
Hogwarts Legacy's Sequel Should Consider Shrinking Its Map
Student life at Hogwarts is a key part of the Hogwarts Legacy fantasy, yet it arguably isn't as much of a focus as it could be. Instead, most of the game's map is taken up by a recreation of the Scottish Highlands that, while impressive from a visual standpoint, doesn't have much in the way of interesting content. A smaller, denser map, one that is more focused on the goings-on of Hogwarts, could allow for a better overall experience.
Hogwarts Legacy has laid a strong foundation for a franchise. The game's rendition of Hogwarts is stunning and engaging, and the core spell-casting gameplay is mechanically tight with a lot of room to grow. If a sequel can capitalize on Hogwarts Legacy's missed opportunities while adding valuable new content, it could be an even better game.
Hogwarts Legacy is out now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Switch version releasing on November 14.