Hogwarts Legacy is one of the most anticipated open-world RPGs of 2023, and it’s likely the most anticipated game of all time for the Harry Potter community – but no matter how magical the experience is, it could never live up to the original Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone game. The two titles will be four generations apart, the elder having released for the PlayStation 1, whereas the upcoming game will be available on the PlayStation 5; but regardless of the severe technological gap, the first Harry Potter title still maintains some advantages over Hogwarts Legacy.
While Sorcerer’s Stone was based on the Harry Potter book and film of the same title, Hogwarts Legacy will be a prequel to the series as a whole, taking place 100 years before Harry Potter even stepped foot in Hogwarts. However, many of the school’s most iconic locations can be visited in Hogwarts Legacy nonetheless. This may evoke a sense of nostalgia in players who are familiar with the main series’ lore, but in this aspect (among several others), the PS1’s Sorcerer’s Stone already has it beat.
Sorcerer’s Stone Has A Better Atmosphere Than Hogwarts Legacy
Although it may not live up to today’s hyper-realistic visuals, the atmosphere in Sorcerer’s Stone already outshines Hogwarts Legacy‘s. The environment of the former wasn’t exactly teeming with NPCs to interact with, and instead only implemented characters that were essential to the game’s plot (like the beloved PS1 Hagrid). It’s certainly empty by modern standards, but it had a particular minimalist charm. Meanwhile, Hogwarts Legacy may find itself too far on the other end of the spectrum. Including too many NPCs isn’t a great look, especially when character models become noticeably repetitive (something that has been pointed out in some previews of Hogwarts Legacy already).
Sorcerer’s Stone Is Timeless Compared To Hogwarts Legacy
The PS1’s Sorcerer‘s Stone may contain some jank, but for a game released in 2001, it holds up astonishingly well in 2023. The level design isn’t overly complex or convoluted, but it isn’t boring or unenthusiastic, either, with enjoyable interludes such as the mini-games in Gringotts Bank and Diagon Alley. It hangs in the sweet spot between both extremes, granting players a comfortable middle ground between high-octane action and casual gameplay. Thus, it’s not at all surprising that this timeless piece is one of the best-selling titles in PlayStation history. Whether Hogwarts Legacy has the same impact on the PlayStation 5 – or any platform – remains to be seen, but it would be nothing short of a miracle.
Between its quaint, cozy atmosphere and entertaining levels that emulate Donkey Kong, PS1’s Sorcerer’s Stone will likely remain one of the Harry Potter series’ most accomplished titles, even compared to Hogwarts Legacy. After all, games don’t always need to push the industry standard with the most expansive worlds, deepest storylines, or best graphics. Sometimes a simple, fun and streamlined experience can be exactly what players are looking for, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone will continue to provide just that, even alongside the long-awaited Hogwarts Legacy.
