Hogwarts Legacy is set in the Harry Potter world 100 years before the start of the books. It’s broken records on Twitch and sold over 12 million copies on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series platforms — and it’s still coming to PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. As players reach the conclusion of the game, however, they’re clamoring for more content, and we can’t help but think about what we’d want in a sequel.
Since Avalanche Software has announced there is no plan for Hogwarts Legacy DLC, a sequel is the next likely avenue for the franchise and some of the additions fans have asked for. Warner Bros. Games President David Haddad said in an interview with Variety that “[the] goal is to continue to utilize our amazing library of Warner Bros. Discovery franchises as we develop our future slate of games.”
In March, Warner Bros. CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels told Variety the success of Hogwarts Legacy has potential to springboard to more games set in the Wizarding World. “Take Harry Potter as an example, the Wizarding World. The fact that we are enjoying this massive success with the Hogwarts Legacy launch, 12 years after the last film came out, shows that there is so much opportunity, and we’re only just starting to expand that.”
So what should be in a sequel? Let’s take a look.
10 Things That Should be in a Hogwarts Legacy Sequel
Photo Mode
Ok, this one’s easy, but the world crafted by Avalanche Software is a gorgeous one. With care and dedication taken to fine-tune all details of Hogwarts Castle, the magical beasts, and the cozy hamlets, it’s a shame there’s no photo mode in Hogwarts Legacy.
Since it won’t be coming as a DLC add-on, as other similar modes have in games like God of War: Ragnarok, we’re cheering for this one in a sequel. Being able to share memories of our first magical beast baby or the Great Hall decorated for winter seems like a no-brainer. And at this point, photo mode should just be standard in every release.
Chocolate Frog Cards and Magic Quills
Hogwarts Legacy has an amazing amount of things to collect and puzzles to complete. One new collectible that should be in a sequel is the Chocolate Frog collectible cards. Whether found in the world or collected from purchased Chocolate Frogs, the cards would be a nice nostalgic addition.
Another collectible could be Magic Quills. There are a few different versions in the Harry Potter Universe already, such as the self-writing quill, that would be included. There could be one tipped with a Fwooper Feather that screeches when stolen or one that expels a perfume when wafted in the air in a certain pattern. They could easily be purchased at Scrivenshaft’s Quill Shop in Hogsmeade, given as a quest reward, or discovered in the Highlands.
Animagus Abilities
Whether it’s a standalone questline to become an Animagus or part of the backstory of a new game, being able to shift into an animal with Natty — or another character — is a must. We’ll talk about other locations further in this list, but setting the game in Uagadou would make this a logical addition.
New quests featuring animal-oriented tasks could be included. Like the Patronus quiz on the Wizarding World site, players could be given an animal, such as a dog, red squirrel, sheep, or crow, based on their answers to a quiz.
Another option is to introduce werewolves, portrayed as evil for killing Muggles. A sequel incorporating Animagus could explore how werewolves came into existence and perhaps even shed new light on the lore around Remus Lupin from the Harry Potter books. With a secret room adorned with werewolf iconography already, having actual werewolves in-game would be an easy jump. It could also be the perfect way to introduce new elixirs, such as the Wolfsbane Potion.
A Different Wizarding School Setting
Being able to experience a world set in one of the other seven Wizarding Schools mentioned in the Harry Potter universe is something some fans look forward to one day experiencing. While Hogwarts has an established history and framework to branch off of, these other schools have little existing background.
That can work to the benefit of Avalanche Software, giving the studio almost free creative rein. One of these less-explored locations would be set a Hogwarts Legacy sequel in a familiar “world” with familiar magical beasts and spells, but in one that would feel completely fresh and unique.
Uagadou, already mentioned and described in small detail in Hogwarts Legacy, would be an easy option. Perhaps after graduation, Natty and your character could be professors there.
Another option is to go to set the game in a completely new school only mentioned in the Harry Potter universe, such as the Mahoutokoro School of Magic in Japan or Castelobruxo in Brazil. These areas would be completely new to explore, with new beasts, magical herbs, and enemies — as well as a new student character to learn of it all.
Triwizard Tournament
Screenshot by GameSkinny
A tradition established before the setting of Hogwarts Legacy, the Triwizard Tournament has a whole book devoted to it. Having a 6th- or 7th-year game with the same character could include the tournament as a main story point. It would also bring in other characters from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Durmstrang Institute, adding in more information on the other wizarding schools of Europe.
Carrying Over Character Progression
Being able to start a single character and watch their development through various games is an idea not many franchises explore. Having a game set in the 6th-year of Hogwarts education would allow you to continue with the same character. Other games, such as Dragon Age, have imported previous game data to influence certain world aspects or parts of history. A Hogwarts Legacy sequel could do the same.
New spells would have to be included, as well as spellcrafts and potion recipes. However, player decisions when learning Unforgivable Curses, the outcome of Sebastian’s quest line, and their relationship with goblin kind, would personalize things even more. Not needing to redo basic spells or classes that were in Hogwarts Legacy would also allow new content, such as in-depth Divination or Magical Beasts classes.
Adult Wizards and Witches
Screenshot by GameSkinny
While being a student at Hogwarts imbues Hogwarts Legacy with a hefty sense of nostalgia, being able to play as an adult wizard in the Harry Potter universe brings a plethora of potential to the table. Some of the mechanics, such as romance options, that fans wanted in the game would be easier to include.
Between Diagon Alley would allow you to open a shop, run a tavern, or make seedy connections for trading illegal Magical Beasts. The Ministry of Magic has an endless number of positions within its walls. The Auror Office would be one of the most well-known, but other offices include Improper Use of Magic Office, British and Irish Quidditch Headquarters, and the Beast Division.
And that’s from just two areas of the Wizarding World. You could also be a Seer, breed magical beasts, become a professor, play professional Quidditch, or find one of many potentially new occupations.
Quidditch
Screenshot by GameSkinny
Whether in a professional capacity or as a student competing at school, Quidditch is a must when talking about what should be included in a Hogwarts Legacy sequel. Featuring in each of the Harry Potter books, as well as Fantastic Beasts 3: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the world-defining sport is briefly mentioned in Hogwarts Legacy. Both in-game characters and real-life fans alike were disappointed at its exclusion.
Sure, we’re cheating a bit here since we included this one in our list of things we want to see in Hogwarts DLC, but if there aren’t any expansions coming, this is something that must show up in a sequel.
Back to the Past
The list of what should be included in a Hogwarts Legacy sequel could go on and on. But what determines much of what’s included is when the game would take place.
Sending a sequel farther into the past, say another 250 years, opens up the space to include things that may have gone obsolete in the setting of Hogwarts Legacy, or expand on a time before something important was invented or discovered. We could partake in the very first Tri-Wizard Tournament, be a student during the establishment of the Statute of Secrecy, or help invent Wizard’s Chess.
These are all interesting questions and points to consider when looking at a possible Hogwarts Legacy sequel. Since Warner Bros. sees Hogwarts Legacy as a long-term franchise, even if we don’t get all we want in the first sequel, the success of Hogwarts Legacy has ensured the solidity of multiple future games. Until there’s a sequel, though, here are 10 games to play to scratch that magical, open-world itch.
Featured image by GameSkinny.
Published: Mar 2, 2023 09:09 pm