Hogwarts Legacy: Initial Thoughts
Before we begin let me address the issue of the “baggage” that accompanies anything associated with the author J.K. Rowling. I don’t like it when complex social or political issues are framed as a simple binary choice, usually with one side claiming righteousness and the other being presented as an anathema. I believe in equality and personal freedoms but such matters are often complex and rife with nuance and subtleties. Anyone who suggests otherwise is either misinformed or deliberately misleading you. Hence I won’t be drawn into the arbitrary nature of the protests that surround the “Wizarding World” as they strike me as a Hobson’s Choice which do little to address the real points of debate. I am a great fan of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos, but I reject his position on eugenics. Thus, I believe it is possible to be able to separate an artist or their personal worldview, from their work. But this is a personal decision and people can choose to do the opposite.
Moving on to the matter in hand, it is interesting that it has taken so long to produce a game with the scope of Hogwarts Legacy. I suspect that during the height of Harry Potter mania in the mid 2000s, the technology didn’t exist to support such a project. I always thought that the MMO genre would be the best fit to provide a virtual Hogwarts where players could choose a house, learn magic and fight dark wizards. Yet the heyday of the MMO has now been and gone. However, open world gaming has evolved significantly in recent years, providing the tools necessary to create a suitable home for the franchise. Hence, Hogwarts Legacy offers much that fans wish from the iconic school of wizardry. An interactive Hogwarts simulator that allows the player to experience the intricacies of the school, complete with moving staircases, sentient painting and all its hidden secrets.
Hogwarts itself is a stone labyrinth that accurately reflects the depictions we’ve all seen in the eight feature films. The Great Hall is beautifully realised and the enchanted ceiling is stunning. You can also spend several hours customising the Room of Requirement. Then, when outside, you can mount a broom and explore all the turrets and battlements of Hogwarts, along with the grounds, local forests and lake. All of which are not immediately accessible but are made available at a measured pace so the player is not overwhelmed. Considering these aspects of the game, Hogwarts Legacy is a fascinating example of virtually satisfying the wish fulfilment that arises from popular culture nostalgia. Game developers Avalanche Software have demonstrated a keen eye for discerning what players want from such a game and have succinctly tapped into the essence of the franchise.
If a player is not content with roaming around Hogwarts in the small hours of the night seeking out its secrets via the use of stealth and lockpicking spells, they can visit the nearby town of Hogsmeade. This also provides substantial fan service as it hits all the associated beats from the books and films. Vendors, quests and points of interest abound and the untamed countryside is filled with threats, ruins and magical artefacts. The threat to one’s safety is quite real and so players must not allow their joy of the environment to cloud their judgement. Trolls, goblins and other creatures pose a real challenge even on the default game setting. Fortunately, the combat system feels very appropriate. Offensive and defensive spells work well when chained in the right combination, as long as the player moves and maintains situational awareness.
Overall combat in Hogwarts Legacy is reminiscent of both Warner Bros. Middle-earth and Batman games. There is a fluidity and rhythm to fighting an enemy where using minor skills will continuously build power to unleash a more potent one. Standing your ground and mashing keys is not really a wise policy. To get the most out of the game it is best to learn the advanced version of certain spells to make unlocking doors, stealth and other tactical skills more viable. Prioritise what best suits your style of gameplay when unlocking the skills tree. If you wish to gain XP so you can level your character quicker, using the Battle Arenas is the most effective method. Here you fight waves of enemies which provide the best XP outside of quests. For players who have bought the Digital Deluxe version of the game, there is access to the exclusive Dark Arts Battle Arena.
The main story of Hogwarts Legacy is functional, atmospheric but not really remarkable. It explores a Goblin insurrection which although well acted, doesn’t really impart a greater insight into the complexities of the established, canonical world. The central character that the player directs through the game is merely a conduit and nothing more. You can customise their appearance but beyond that, they are not a landmark gaming character such as Geralt of Rivia or Arthur Morgan. Many of the NPCs are purely functional as well. They serve their purpose but do little else. Also, at times, the inherent Britishness of Hogwarts is replaced with an international game developer’s perception of Britishness which is not the same thing. Some players will find that the game doesn’t offer enough interaction with other students and staff. It is not a school simulator per se with a requirement to attend regular lessons. Again I must reiterate that Hogwarts Legacy aim is to create a Hogwarts experience in totality .
Having played for a day, I think that the game finds the right balance to a very difficult gaming equation. Compromises have had to be made to produce a manageable virtual Hogwarts. Setting the game in a different period of history also avoids getting caught up in canonical baggage from the source text. I also feel that the omission of Quidditch was a sad but wise decision. To do justice to the sport would essentially require a game of its own. Rendering it to a basic mini-game in Hogwarts Legacy would be very disappointing. However, it would appear that Hogwarts Legacy has been very well received so far and I suspect that sales figures are going to be substantial. There is scope therefore that developers Avalanche Software may create further DLC for the game and may revisit some of the aspects that may be perceived as lacking.
I in the meantime will continue to play through the game and soak up the ambience. So far my character, Telemachus Musgrave, has joined Slytherin House and I suspect he may pursue a path, indirectly or directly toward the Dark Arts. Overall, Hogwarts Legacy gets more right than it does wrong. It’s an open-world adventure that distils the charm and character of the Wizarding World and offers challenging combat. The story, although straight forward, feels right and fits the source material well. Frequently when you feel the game has no further surprises to offer it springs another dose of nostalgic charm that makes you smile. It gets the tone just right and manages to tap into what it is that fans enjoy. I had forgotten quite how much I have enjoyed this franchise over the years and it would appear that I am not alone in this. Its appeal seems to be surprisingly enduring, irrespective of the wider controversies that dog it.
