From an incredibly detailed, faithful recreation of the iconic Hogwarts Castle, to a well-realized open-world surrounding it, to a satisfying spell combat system that was accessible but rewarded strategy and skill,Hogwarts Legacylaid some strong foundations for whatever might come next. And being the highest-selling game of 2023, it would only be natural for Warner Bros. to want a sequel toHogwarts Legacy.
But there are a few different directions WB could taketheHogwarts Legacyseries. While a direct sequel to the 2023 Wizarding World RPG would probably be the best move for the franchise, there might be a greater opportunity for creativity if WB looked beyond Hogwarts for the series' immediate future.
The Benefits of Making a Hogwarts Legacy Spinoff Set in a New School
A Change of Scenery Could Be a Good Thing for Hogwarts Legacy
One of the biggest highlights ofHogwarts Legacywas its surreal ability to capture the look and feel ofHogwarts Castle, and players' freedom to explore the iconic location at their own pace. But Hogwarts isn’t quite as big as it might seem at first glance, andHogwarts Legacypretty much covered all the locations fans would expect to see.
While aHogwarts Legacysequel could keep things fresh by changing the time period, Hogwarts will still look and feel mostly the same regardless. The same is true for the area surrounding Hogwarts, with Hogsmeade and the enclosing forests looking very similar from century to century. AnotherHogwarts Legacyset in the exact same location might feel a bit repetitive. ButaHogwarts Legacysequel or spinoffset in an entirely new school could offer a completely fresh spin on visuals, atmosphere, and in-game activities.
A New School Setting Would Allow For More Creative Freedom
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardryis one of the most iconic locations in entertainment history, and as such, any modern adaptation of the setting needs to get every detail right or risk upsetting die-hard fans. If aHogwarts Legacysequel or spinoff took players to a new school, then it would give its developers a bit more creative freedom.
For instance, if the nextHogwarts Legacytook players tothe Durmstrang Institute in Europe, then its developers would have more freedom to design the school’s exterior appearance and interior layout however they saw fit, as Durmstrang has rarely been shown inHarry Pottermedia up to this point and fans would thus have fewer expectations about what it should look like.
The Durmstrang Institute’s Quidditch grounds appeared earlier this year inHarry Potter: Quidditch Champions, but the school itself could only be seen as a blurry blob in the background.
There Are Plenty of Other Wizarding Schools to Choose From
Having more creative freedom would be great forHogwarts Legacy’s developers, but the next game would still need to be grounded in pre-established lore. Thankfully, there are plenty of canon Wizarding World schools waiting for their opportunity to shine. The Durmstrang Institute or the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic would be solid picks, with them both appearing inGoblet of Fire. The South America-located Castelobruxo would be a good pick if the sequel’s developers wanted to shine a light on a relatively unknown school.
But probably the best choice for a new school in aHogwarts Legacysequel or spinoff would be Ilvermorny. Located in Western Massachusetts, Ilvermorny is the primary school for all North American witches and wizards. With a four-House system similar to Hogwarts', and with it being mentioned a few times in theFantastic Beastsseries, Ilvermorny would strike a good balance between offering something familiar and fresh.
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.
