After the massive success ofHogwarts Legacylast year, it makes complete sense that Warner Bros. would want to forge ahead with a sequel. While there has not been an official reveal event of any kind, Avalanche has made it no secret thatHogwarts Legacy 2is currently in development. Not much is known about what that experience will look like, but fans are very excited to get their hands on it. However, the direction the studio may be takingHogwarts Legacy 2could impact that excitement considerably.
Right now, Warner Bros. is hard at work building the next chapter of theHarry Potterfranchise. After the faltering oftheFantastic Beaststrilogy, the studio has greenlit a fully-fledged reboot in the form of a TV show for HBO. That decision has proven controversial after the immense popularity of the film franchise, yet the studio is forging ahead, and now it sounds like theHogwarts Legacyseries may aim to connect to it. That could not only hurt the sequel depending upon the show’s reception, but it may also go against what made the game feel so special in the first place.
Hogwarts Legacy 2’s Rumored Ties to the HBO Series May Hurt It in the Long Run
Hogwarts Legacy Was Forging Its Own Trail
WhileHarry Potterhas been everywhere since its inception,Hogwarts Legacyseemed to mostly be forging its own trail. The game was set almost a centurybefore the events ofHarry Potter, the world was filled to the brim with characters fans have never met, and the actual world they were given to explore was unlike anything they had seen before. It may have had strong ties and references to the franchise’s extensive lore, but it felt like a brand-new adventure that anyone could jump into.
That separation reallyhelped makeHogwarts Legacyfeel specialas it appealed to both newcomers and diehard fans alike. Additionally, it allowed Avalanche immense breathing room to tell the story that it wanted to tell with the characters it wanted to explore. However, it sounds like the studio may not get that same opportunity with the hotly-anticipated sequel as Warner Bros. apparently wants to connect some of its storylines with the upcoming show. It remains to be seen if that limits the game’s potential, but there is a strong chance that the shift could prevent the sequel from feeling like its own thing. And if the HBO show does not do well, then those ties may be meaningless.
Harry Potter’s HBO Series is Already a Risky Endeavor
As of now,theHarry PotterHBO seriesalso feels extremely risky. Of course, the franchise is very popular, so there is a strong chance that the series will become a massive hit upon release. However, completely rebooting the series only 15 years after a massively successful film franchise has raised some concerns. Additionally, J. K. Rowling’s controversial comments and the faltering of theFantastic Beaststrilogy have put a shadow over the brand for many.
If theHarry PotterHBO series hits all the right notes, thenHogwarts Legacy 2will likely benefitimmensely from its ties to the series. Players who loved the show may be more inclined to check out the game and vice versa. But, if the show ends up falling flat with audiences, then those ties may impact the reception of the game considerably. So, Avalanche might want to tread carefully as development of the next chapter ramps up.
The future of theHarry Potterbrand is an interesting one right now, as the reboot looms on the horizon and the future of its video game world has never been brighter. Fans are likely very excited to see just what Warner Bros. plans to do with Hogwarts and its massive cast of characters. But, if the studio is not careful in these next couple of years, then those dreams may quickly be dashed.
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.
