Hogwarts Legacyis one of the most anticipated games of 2022.Harry Potterfans across the world are beaming at the opportunity to attend Hogwarts and explore the magical school they love. When it does finally launch,Hogwarts Legacywill be the first open-world video game set in the Wizarding World, providing the first truly immersiveHarry Pottergaming experience.
One of the most exciting parts ofHogwarts Legacywill be Hogwarts itself, a sprawling, magically changing landscape with endless nooks to explore. While the trailer provided an up close and personal view ofHogwarts’ North Tower inHogwarts Legacy, fans weren’t as lucky with the South Tower. However, using information provided in theHarry Potterfranchise, it’s easy to deduce what players will find when they visit the Hogwarts grounds this holiday season.
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Herbology
InHarry Potter, herbology is one of the main classes taught in the South Tower. Herbology is the study of plants and fungi, both of the magical and mundane variety, essentially making it the wizard equivalent of botany. Professor Sprout teaches the course when Harry and his friends are at school, and while it doesn’t have the appeal of a class such as Defense Against the Dark Arts, herbology was a critical part of Harry’s journey. Most famously, Harry used gillyweed to breathe underwater during the trials of the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
If done right, herbology could be used as a key part ofHogwarts Legacy. Similar tocooking inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, herbology would give players the chance to collect magical plants and give their characters skills and abilities to help them throughout the game. Combining unique magical plants with spell usage would give players the chance to have a unique experience each time they played the game.
Another magical element that could be introduced through herbology is polyjuice potion. While the education of polyjuice may technically lie in potions class, many of the polyjuice ingredients are introduced through herbology. Usingpolyjuice potion inHogwarts Legacycould open a door for a whole new kind of quest, similar to stealth missions in games likeAssassin’s Creed.
Transfiguration
The other main class taught in the South Tower is transfiguration. At its most basic form, transfiguration is exactly what it sounds like: magically altering the form and appearance of an object, animal, or person. However, the details of transfiguration are much more complex.
Transfiguration is some of the most difficult magic to master, with even some of the most powerful witches and wizards unable to perform it safely. If done improperly, it can leave the person or object permanently stuck in the transfigured state.Harry Potterfans are familiar with some of the most famous examples of transfiguration: Viktor Krum half-transfiguring himself into a shark in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, Barty Crouch Jr. transfiguring Draco Malfoy into a ferret, and Professor Slughorn transfiguring himself into an armchair to avoid the Death Eaters.
While transfiguration would be fun to incorporate intoHogwarts Legacy, chances of it happening are slim. If players were able to transfigure objects, it would make any item-seeking quest seem pointless, as they could just conjure it from something else. Players should be encouraged to traverseHogwarts Legacy’s sprawling mapin search of hidden secrets. Transfiguration’s difficulty to master also provides an easy explanation as to why a student at Hogwarts wouldn’t be able to perform the complicated magic.
With so many magical locations to explore, a place like the South Tower might be easy to overlook. However, withHogwarts Legacy’s release date delay,it’s clear that Portkey Games is taking its time both to ensure the best possible game experience, and to put details in every corner of Hogwarts.
Hogwarts Legacyis scheduled to be released holiday 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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