Summary
Hogwarts Legacybranching out to become a series was never in doubt since the open-world action-RPG was so monumentally successful. Still, there are a lot of pitfalls for Avalanche or any other developers to avoid while taking on a sequel, whether it’s meant to be connected toHogwarts Legacyat all or not. Having a direct sequel would have pitfalls to navigate if it intended to featureHogwarts Legacy’s Ancient Magic-wielding protagonistagain, for example, and even if it didn’t it would need to pay tribute to the story inHogwarts Legacyin a way that could reference that protagonist in a meaningful way.
However, the biggest drawback that aHogwarts Legacy 2might have is if it establishes the series as an anthology. This would suggest that every future entry will beits own story with its own characters in the same wizarding world; of course, it’s not as if this hasn’t been achieved in other gaming media, but to have back-to-back games that aren’t direct sequels in the wizarding world might uproot a pitfall that could be impossible not to fall into. InHogwarts Legacy’s case, it would be a challenge to have an anthology set at Hogwarts that doesn’t feel repetitive or stale after a while.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Starting an Anthology Runs the Risk of Creative Bankruptcy
Hogwarts Legacy’s Sequels May Not Be All That Different from Each Other
At least with a direct sequel,Hogwarts Legacy 2could be interesting as it tells a follow-up story. But with an anthology series,Hogwarts Legacy’s sequel would seemingly tell the story of yet another student attending Hogwarts and potentially going through all the same motions. If it wasn’t handled carefully, an anthological entry could seem like a recycled take onHogwarts Legacyinstead of a separate story in the same world.
Especially if the castle and its grounds aren’t diverse enough apart fromHogwarts Legacy, the sequel could easily be perceived as a reskin or a glorified DLC by anyone anticipating something more.
This might still be the case with a direct sequel, but at least it would make sense for much of the sequel to be the same as its predecessor because it could take place soon after those events had occurred. There would need to be drastic improvements to gameplay and an unmistakable overhaul in how locations look in order to makeHogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the Highlandsdynamic, and an anthology entry set around the same time might not afford that.
Hogwarts Legacy as an Anthology Would Need Diverse Eras
It’s possible thatan anthology series forHogwarts Legacycould work, but it would probably need to be as unique as to feature separate eras within each installment.Hogwarts Legacyis set in the late-1800s, for instance, and whileHarry Potterwas a more modern perspective of the wizarding world it could be neat to seeHogwarts Legacy 2take place somewhere between the two. The downside to this approach is that there isn’t a far extent to whichHogwarts Legacy 2could pull from, at least not without alienating fans of wizarding world lore and having it be too far removed from the franchise’s aesthetic nostalgia.
The late-1800s worked well forHogwarts Legacybecause it gave the school a familiar yet archaic atmosphere, and a sequel probably wouldn’t want to reach back any further in history for its narrative. It seems unavoidable for Hogwarts to be featured in the nextHarry Potteropen-world action-RPG, particularly because thenew MaxHarry Potterserieswill be exhuming that nostalgia again, and therefore whoever has to follow Avalanche’sHogwarts Legacywill have a full plate.
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.
