Hogwarts Legacy allows players to attend one of the most prestigious wizarding schools, but this doesn’t stop multiple characters from breaking the rules. Showcased at Sony’s State of Play presentation, a big chunk of the almost fifteen-minute-long gameplay reveal has everything for a Harry Potter fan, from sorting into the four houses to attending Hogwarts’ classes about magic. However, the meat of the trailer also showcased the activities outside Hogwarts that break a rule or three.
When the player isn’t hanging out in the common room of one of the Hogwarts houses or meeting professors, Hogwarts Legacy encourages players to explore – from visiting the idyllic village of Hogsmeade and what looks like the Forbidden Forest to roaming the countryside meeting creatures both unfamiliar and unusual. However, given that the main character is not only the key in preventing the fall of the wizarding world and a possible Goblin rebellion in Hogwarts Legacy but is a fifth-year student with a lot of classes to catch up in, there’s no time for distractions.
While there is no harm in a little exploration and networking with fellow wizards and witches, it’s difficult not to feel that Hogwarts in Harry Potter’s time is strict because of the characters in Hogwarts Legacy. The gameplay trailer reveals activities the player can perform in blatant violation of Hogwarts’ rules of conduct and the laws of magic. Moreover, the player endangers other students as companions to their quests rather than going to the library to study. Hogwarts Legacy is filled with plenty of activities and happenings for students to do well within Hogwarts’ main ruleset, but it looks like the player character won’t adhere to these rules very often.
Hogwarts Legacy Breaks A Lot Of The Rules Of Hogwarts
Hogwarts Legacy is one of the most ambitious open-world games filled with lore and characters in Harry Potter returning in Hogwarts Legacy. However, some of the most critical tenants of Hogwarts that prevent harm to the faculty and students are widely being ignored. The characters in Hogwarts Legacy are not only in violation of the rule of curfew and never leaving the school grounds but seemingly enjoy risking an encounter with Dark Wizards or untamed magical creatures.
Moreover, on the topic of combat, Hogwarts Legacy allows players to conduct what appear to be unofficial magical duels and violate the laws of nature. Granted, the latter can’t be helped by the player, given their background and magical capabilities that even the professors seemingly don’t understand. Nevertheless, just because the player can violate the laws of nature doesn’t mean they should, and from what was shown in Hogwarts Legacy’s gameplay preview, they shouldn’t. These are only a handful of rules broken by the characters in Hogwarts Legacy, and there are sure to be more once the game launches.
Hogwarts Legacy is shaping into a massively ambitious game that most Harry Potter fans will be waiting to dive into. From exploring areas in the legendary school not seen in movies and unlocking secrets to learning more about the wizarding world through the eyes of fellow wizards and witches, there’s a lot for players to do. Hogwarts Legacy seemingly has everything and anything Harry Potter fans want, giving players the chance to roleplay as a powerful magic user, a diligent student, or a classic rule breaker.
Editor’s Note: Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has been accused of transphobia by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Although not directly involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy, Rowling does stand to earn royalties from the game. We would like to reiterate our support for trans rights and that trans identities are valid. Support services are listed below for trans people impacted by discussions of transphobia.
In the USA:
- Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
- The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
In Canada:
- Trans Lifeline: (877) 330-6366
- Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688
In the UK:
- Switchboard: 01273 204050
Mermaids: 0808 801 0400
