Hogwarts Legacy is set during the 1890s, venturing away from the contemporary time frame of the Harry Potter books and movies.
For many fans of the wizarding world, this is a welcome departure, allowing gamers to further explore the rich history of Hogwarts and the wider magical community.
Continue reading to find out how Avalanche Software, the developers of the game, have taken advantage of the setting and what this means for you, the player.
Hogwarts Legacy Plot
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
The story of Harry Potter and Voldemort, conceived by author J.K. Rowling, is one that has been told in both books and movies, so the new Hogwarts Legacy setting provides a clean slate for Avalanche Software to make their mark with an original narrative.
At this time, there are no Death Eaters (those loyal to the Dark Lord), but enemy forces are still at large, such as the Goblin Rebellion and a faction of Dark Wizards. The player character, a student at Hogwarts, must contend with these antagonists while attempting to uncover the source of an ancient magic, which has mysteriously emerged.
Hogwarts Legacy Characters
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
With the game having a setting that differs from the books and movies, it stands to reason that the cast is going to undergo a dramatic transformation. Nevertheless, this hasn’t deterred fans from speculating as to the return of old faces.
Returning Characters
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
The Boy Who Lived is not present at the point when Hogwarts Legacy is set, being born in 1980. However, the protagonist of the Fantastic Beasts series, Newt Scamander, does scrape his way into 1897, though we doubt his infant self will have much to offer the game’s protagonist.
It’s fair to say that the list of cameos is going to be sparse, but there a few characters who aren’t nearly as constrained by the boundaries of time. For starters, the developers have confirmed that players will be able to interact with Nearly Headless Nick, the Fat Lady, and Peeves.
Furthermore, there’s nothing stopping Avalanche Software from adding characters with blood ties to fan favourites. Two good examples are the Weasley family (represented by Matilda and Hector Weasley) and the Black family (represented by Phineas Nigellus Black).
New Characters
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Some people may be disappointed that they won’t have the chance to interact with the wizards and witches whom they’ve grown to love, but we don’t think this is necessarily a detriment to the game. There’s plenty of room for new heroes — and villains — to rise up.
Let’s start with the protagonist. Given that Hogwarts Legacy is a role-playing game (RPG), the developers are granting players the freedom to customise their hero (or villain) as they see fit.
You start with a basic backstory — that you are a fifth-year student at Hogwarts who hails from a unique bloodline with the power to wield ancient magic — and decide upon key attributes: gender, appearance, house (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw), and so on. From there, players must navigate the world and learn new skills to help them on their journey, choosing whether to be a force for good or evil.
The protagonist will not be alone throughout the duration of the storyline, as there are other others who will offer aid. These include professors (such as Onai and Shah) and students (such as Natasai Onai, Poppy Sweeting, and Sebastian Swallow), the latter of which can join the player as companions.
Their help is vital in the fight against the goblin rebel Ranrok and his unlikely ally, Victor Rookwood, leader of the Dark Wizards.
Hogwarts Legacy Locations
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Though the game takes place before the events of Harry Potter, players can expect to see familiar locations, the most obvious of which is the eponymous Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry.
A large portion of your time will be spent at Hogwarts, where you can brew potions, tame magical creatures, and socialise in the common room of your selected house. (It’s worth noting that despite Hogwarts Legacy being set more than a century before Harry Potter stepped foot on the grounds, the castle hasn’t changed much from a visual standpoint. We suppose medieval architecture isn’t very transformative.)
Outside the castle walls, players can travel to the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley (home to Gringotts Wizarding Bank and Ollivanders), and Hogsmeade Village. These places are the same as those in the books and movies, but a lot can change over 100 years, so you can rest assured that there are still surprises to be enjoyed.
