Although Harry Potter as a book series ended sixteen years ago, the universe of the Wizarding World remains alive in the hearts of countless fans around the world. Many have long dreamed of receiving a letter by owl post and experiencing their own adventure at Hogwarts… and we, as players, have had such a chance. The dust has already settled after the famous premiere of Hogwarts Legacy , so the editors of The Last Tavern are ready to sit down over a glass of butterbeer and discuss their school experiences in the iconic Scottish castle.
In the second part of the conversation, we will discuss the creation of independent characters, the plot role of a mentor based on the example of Professors Dumbledore and Fig, other productions from the Potter universe that could be an alternative to Hogwarts Legacy , and to what extent The Legacy managed to meet our expectations as fans who have been dreaming about it for years. about a virtual trip to the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Krzysztof: Let’s now talk about the characters for a moment, because after all, they are the ones who bring the presented world to life for us. How did you like the characters of the students of 19th century Hogwarts and what image of the individual houses did they help create? And do you think that all houses were exposed equally, or did some houses have significantly more interesting NPCs or offer players more options?
Mariusz: I had a huge problem with the characters. I didn’t really like any of them, and they didn’t give me the impression that our character could have friends as trusted as Harry had. Sebastian’s fans will probably eat me now, but it was hard for me to feel sympathy for a character who is a painfully typical representative of Slytherin. He only noticed our hero because he showed him strength. He had known Ominis for longer, and he treated him as an obstacle, not a friend (I actually liked Ominis more than Sebastian). His goal may have been noble, but throughout the game I disagreed with his methods. Poppy was a more interesting character for me, but Hufflepuff’s behavior often forced me to hit my forehead with an open hand. It’s also a pity that we didn’t get to fight more with Garreth Weasley.
Ela : What I feel most sorry about is how Ravenclaw was left out. There are few side quests here, and when they do exist, they are terribly uninteresting. On the other hand, I’m glad that the most interesting task (a trip to Azkaban) went to the eternally underrated Hufflepuff – we finally see something other than the standard Slytherin vs. Gryffindor. When it comes strictly to the characters, I agree with Mariusz that the “bonds” built with them do not seem deep, considering their shared adventures. It’s a pity we didn’t get to know them better. And speaking of Ominis, this is probably the greatest example of unused potential. The heir of Slyherin himself, who does not agree with the values imposed by the family? Sounds like the perfect thread to explore. Poppy’s storyline was probably the second most interesting, especially considering the quest with the dragon or Centaurs, but I completely missed the character of Natta. Although she was portrayed as a person with a big heart who rebels to help catch a dangerous criminal, the effect of her actions is completely different. In practice, it works out in such a way that the heroine (or hero) simply has to “clean up” after her.
Katarzyna: What I like most is the fact that the focus was not only on two houses, i.e. Gryffindor and Slytherin, but Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were given a chance. However, the truth is that the first two probably have the most tasks and possibilities for character development. I agree with Ela that it is nice to look at something other than the eternal conflict of Gryffindor and Slytherin. The characters themselves seem interesting and well-constructed, but there is no specific bond with them that one felt with Harry, Ron or Hermione. I have the impression that their biographies are only slightly sketched, but they provide so many opportunities to explore the topic. Maybe in some next part? However, I didn’t feel attached to any specific person. I like the different creations, e.g. the fact that the Slytherin boy is good, i.e. reversing the assumptions of the original and going against the clichés. If I had to choose, I remember Sebastian and Omnis the best.
Mateusz: The threads with Sebastian and Omnis were the best developed, so the missions related to Natty and Poppy were poor. For me, there was a lack of “chemistry” and emotional involvement on the part of the player between the protagonist and the girls. The creators clearly focused on the two most popular houses among fans for whom the best missions were prepared, although it is a pity that I was not able to visit Azkaban due to the initial choice. Ela, I think Omnis was only treated as an overly emotional teenager and rebel who was only supposed to become Sebastian’s “sidekick” and the key to the Slytherin legacy.
Krzysztof: Yes, I also, like Katarzyna, felt that most of the characters were just sketches, shells. They sound good as a concept on paper, and you’d like to get to know them better and deepen their relationships, but the game doesn’t allow it. In turn, when it comes to the emphasis on the role of houses in history, I think I had a slightly different impression than most of you. In my opinion, Slytherin and Hufflepuff play the main roles in Legacy . The former gets the Sebastian and Ominis thread discussed here, which is probably the best side quest in the entire game and two of the most interestingly written characters, in order to break the spell of the house’s bad reputation, while the latter is fleshed out here as a previously neglected “child” of this universe, receiving a sequence in Azkaban and a completely well-executed Poppy. Gryffindor seems to be third in line and somewhat omitted, as the one that has already had its five minutes – like Ela, I didn’t like Natty very much, I found her plot really boring, and the quests related to it rather tired me. At the end of the spectrum is Ravenclaw, which does not even have its own companion quest and does not have a significant NPC representing the house – it was probably supposed to be Amit, but the creators apparently ran out of time to refine it to a level comparable to at least Natty’s.
Krzysztof: Okay, we talked about students and their school homes… and what about professors? From the beginning of the story, our guide to the magical world and the most trusted adult wizard in Inheritance is Professor Fig. Did you feel that this character works as a mentor to the player, like Dumbledore from the book series, or maybe there is no point in comparing the two?
Ela: Professor Fig was one of my favorite characters, and the mentorship – let’s be honest – was much better for him than Dumbledore. He didn’t leave the main character alone, as Dumbledore was wont to do, and actually supported her when he could, instead of conveniently appearing only at the end, when the fifteen-year-old would do everything for him. I also liked the moment when all the teachers appear in the final battle as support, although in my opinion it would have been more impressive if they were the main character’s companions, friends with whom she actually formed bonds. On the other hand, it is proof that the character had mentors and an adult took care of him. Quite a refreshing perspective.
Katarzyna: In my opinion, Dumbledore is one and cannot be replaced. I don’t agree with Ela that he left his charges alone. In my opinion, he also kept watch, but left room for the characters’ autonomy. He helped when needed. Professor Fig won my heart and it was clear that he was devoted to the main character, but he did not earn my sympathy like Dumbledore. This may also be due to the fact that his person is already an icon for me and a reflection of the mentor I would like to have. If Fig appears in other parts of the game or derivative productions, he may gain my sympathy more. At this point, I can say that it is impossible to compare these two heroes, even though they are mentors, as individuals they have a different approach, especially methods. They are both caring, but with completely different experiences and responsibilities. Fig was to guide the heroine, and Dumbledore would help Harry, but also take care of the rest of the students, not forgetting about other goals. As for the final battle, it was really spectacular, but I think it could have been conducted with even greater panache.
Mateusz: I agree with Krzysiek’s thesis that it is difficult to compare these heroes. For Harry, Dumbledore was something of an idol, a point of reference. I would compare Albus to a director, directing events from the “backseat”, implementing his elaborate plan. If he had to get involved in the action directly, he did it in a spectacular way. He was probably the most powerful wizard of his time, which obviously does not allow him to be compared to Figg. Sometimes a few of his sentences put the characters on the right track, but the role of Harry’s mentor is definitely more suited to Lupine or Sirius. I agree with Ela that the teacher did a great job in the game as a guide for the main character. I liked him very much, the player can feel taken care of by Figg, who is concerned about the fate of the protagonist. He is an indispensable support for him in a world unknown to him, he suggests solutions, explains the consequences of choices (as in the final mission) and his departure made me sad. The appearance of wizards in a great battle reminded me of Avengers: Endgame, when help arrived from the portals, and I would only describe it in one word – “epic”.
Krzysztof: I don’t know, Mateusz, whether I would say that I made such a thesis. I’m just noticing the possibility of following this line of reasoning. Personally, I think there is some overlap and some not between Fig and Dumbledore’s roles. Dumbledore was first the headmaster of the school, secondly the leader of the Order of the Phoenix, and only thirdly Harry’s mentor. Despite everything, there was always a considerable distance between them, and Potter’s more direct guardians were Sirius, Lupine, Hagrid and the Weasleys. It’s different with Fig. He is the one who helps the protagonist with school shopping and introduces him to Hogwarts (just like Hagrid), and then focuses only on him and on the joint investigation of the mystery of ancient magic, because he is not interested in anything else – he is not a member of any secret organization, but Hogwarts. as a facility, it is run by Professor Weasley along with the capricious Professor Black. And I think it works very well. Fig seems very involved from the very beginning, and from the player’s perspective it is easy to feel sympathy for him and treat him as the only adult wizard whom we can absolutely trust and share with him about further discoveries during our journey without hesitation.
As for the final sequence, it didn’t make that much of an impression on me. I would dream of something like Mass Effect, where the course of subsequent scenes would be influenced by our relationships with more important side characters and we could, at least symbolically, e.g. divide them between certain tasks or something similar. I’m afraid there are a lot of older titles in the RPG genre that did it better.
Krzysztof: Although Hogwarts Legacy undoubtedly attracted the most attention as a high-budget RPG project, it is not the only proposition from this universe, right? Have you tried any other Harry Potter games released in recent years? And are any of them worth recommending?
Ela : After the success of Pokemon GO, Niantic offered fans a game in the same style, also based on augmented reality. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite wasn’t as popular as Pokemon, of course, but I played it quite often and had a lot of fun. Unfortunately, as far as I know, it is no longer available.
Katarzyna: I agree with Ela that Wizards Unite was a lot of fun, and you could disappear from reality for a few hours. Even though many years have passed and the title has settled down a bit, I am a huge fan of Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and Years 5-7 . I can’t count how much time I spent with them. This is a specific approach to the topic of Harry, but it gives a lot of possibilities, laughter and the chance to play with two people, which my fiancé and I use diligently. I really recommend.
Krzysztof: Hmm, I’ve never played Wizards Unite , so I won’t comment on it. However, I can say that I was enchanted by the mobile Hogwarts’ Mystery . Its only, but unfortunately huge, problem is the very aggressive micropayment system, which makes the title extremely slow if we are not willing to spend real money on energy packages needed to perform most actions and various other accelerators. Nevertheless, it is, surprisingly, a title with “soul”, coping much better than Hogwarts Legacy with those issues that we have already complained about. The main plot is much more engaging than the 19th-century adventures with goblins and forgotten magic, the side characters have really developed stories and characters, and the whole thing has a huge atmosphere of the book Hogwarts, where, apart from the great and epic events that form the core of the story, ordinary student life takes place. So there is room here to attend classes, take part in various school events and projects, as well as meet other students and make friends with them, have romance, etc. – a little magical high school drama that was completely missing in Inheritance . In addition, Hogwarts’ Mystery has been in development for many years and currently looks really impressive, allowing us to go through all seven years of study, and recently even offering some content after their completion, where we face the work and life of an adult wizard in a segment titled Beyond Hogwarts , taking place in the same year as Sorcerer’s Stone .
Krzysztof: Moving slowly towards the end… are you ultimately satisfied with the time spent with Hogwarts Legacy and do you feel that this is really “the” game we have been waiting for for years? Or maybe your expectations exceeded the end result and you were hoping for something more… or even something completely different?
Mariusz: I certainly don’t regret the time spent with this title. Despite a lot of problems, I had fun. In fact, it’s hard for every aspect of the “dream game from the Harry Potter universe” to be fulfilled. Still, Hogwarts Legacy is the closest to what we dreamed of. And it could even have the potential to become something more, if there were some story additions, but as far as I know, the creators don’t plan anything like that. But maybe the second part will surpass everything? Who knows. Ultimately, I’m glad the Wizarding World has a game like this.
Ela: Not in terms of plot, I was hoping for something more. Literally, because as I mentioned in the previous part, the game is terribly lacking in terms of tasks, their differentiation (because most of them are based on “catch an animal”) and creating a plot. It’s also hard to “come back” to it because it doesn’t bring any new experiences to the story. However, when it comes to Hogwarts itself, the immersion of this world, yes, absolutely. In this respect, it’s impossible not to fall in love with her. Even if the characters’ facial expressions or smaller things are a bit jarring, it cannot be said that the world created is simply beautiful. And I must also mention the soundtrack, which, although different from the original, retains the same magical atmosphere. She’s wonderful! The very possibility of exploring every corner of Hogwarts and its surroundings and participating in magical life is a dream come true for anyone who was eleven years old and waited for their own letter. I’m waiting to see what the creators will show us in the next part of the game.
Katarzyna: It’s hard to answer with a clear yes or no, because there are aspects that I really liked, and even exceeded my expectations, and some that make me think: eh, nothing interesting. It’s definitely a title that offers a lot of possibilities, allowing you to spend long hours in the world of magic, and that’s an undeniable advantage. The setting itself and the atmosphere presented, including Hogwarts, are definitely strong advantages of Inheritance . It definitely puts you in the right mood, and when you run through old corridors or magical streets, you feel like a real wizard. It’s all beautifully crafted and is pleasing to the eye, even though sometimes the gestures and facial expressions are not what they should be. Good background music has also been added to this atmosphere, it complements the whole and puts the player in a good mood. In my opinion, this is a dream come true for every Potter fanatic who is still waiting for his letter and owl guide. Unfortunately, there is something that hurts the eyes, namely the game mechanics, often repetitive, not very sophisticated, as if they focused only on the visual aspect and the rest was added hastily. The plot of Hogwarts Legacy is a bit limp, but I think it can be refined and I’m looking forward to the next part.
Mateusz : Hogwarts Legacy is, above all, a postcard to nostalgia and the child in us. The game allows us to feel the atmosphere of Rowling’s books and film adaptations, often showing us already known scenes in a new version (selecting the wand, etc.). Unlike Eli, I liked rescuing animals, but this is due to my sympathy for Newt Scamander. I can blame the game’s creators primarily, as I mentioned in the previous part of the text, for the lack of a morality system and consequences of our choices for character development (the potential was amazing), a poorly diversified plot and graphics that stand out from modern games (e.g. Horizon Forbbiden West, etc.). The sequel to Legacy has already been announced, so I hope that the studio will draw the right conclusions and finally provide us with a game worthy of this universe.
Krzysztof: Unfortunately, in retrospect, I feel disappointed. Hogwarts Legacy is one of the few titles in recent years that gave me a lot of hype and anticipation, but after the first few hours of admiration for the castle, freedom of exploration and various picturesque corners, my enthusiasm began to decline rapidly. There were more and more moments of disappointment related to the fact that this or that thing I was counting on does not appear in the game at all, or only partially. There is no Quidditch here, there is no competition for the House Cup, there are no elements so characteristic of the fifth year of study at Hogwarts such as OWLs or the appointment of prefects of individual houses… school life known from the pages of novels is here like the cat cried, and the game would not change much changed if, instead of a student, we were an adult wizard investigating the matter of ancient magic, who only spends the night as a guest at Hogwarts Castle. And the nail in the coffin here is the zero replayability potential mentioned by Ela – before the premiere, I imagined that I would definitely play the title at least four times, once for each house… but I failed already on the second attempt. To my own surprise, I must admit that I get more joy from experiencing “my own adventure at Hogwarts” by slowly playing the mobile Hogwarts’ Mystery than from the very uneven and sighs of resignation hours spent with Hogwarts Legacy . Perhaps the sequel will bring some changes for the better, but I’m not counting on fireworks…
