The announcement of Hogwarts Legacy's very own 2022 State of Play is an exciting one, but there are a few things that it should and shouldn't show during the gameplay reveal. There's no telling what it could contain at the moment, but thankfully there isn't much longer to wait before new details about the game emerge. News has come few and far between, and its absence at the last State of Play was disappointing, so it's a relief to finally hear from Portkey Games' much-anticipated title.
Hogwarts Legacy is an RPG set in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It takes place in the 1800s, long before the Boy-Who-Lived's parents - or possibly even grandparents - were born. It's a brand-new story, one with its own protagonist and cast of characters. Details like who Hogwarts Legacy's main villain is are still unknown for now, but what's been shown of the game so far looks promising. Players will be able to walk the halls of Hogwarts and study magic in-depth if the information available so far is accurate. With the Ancient Magic that they've been confirmed to wield and their late enrollment letter, it doesn't look like they'll be any typical student, however.
One of the things that Hogwarts Legacy shouldn't show during its State of Play presentation is too many story details, so as to not risk veering into spoiler territory. Although it's impossible to say for certain, hopefully, the gameplay reveal shows enough content to excite but not so much that it ruins a big reveal in-game. If Hogwarts Legacy showed the Elder Wand before Dumbledore or Grindelwald ever heard of it, for example, it could be exciting, but perhaps not something to be shown in a promotional video. The lack of news up until now - and Harry Potter's own reputation - means that there's a lot of pressure on it.
What To Expect From A Hogwarts Legacy Gameplay Video
Aside from details like the game's release date, there are a few things that Hogwarts Legacy should include in its State of Play. One of those things is the main antagonist, at least partially. Seeing the game's villain is something that could be the highlight of the presentation if it's done right. It doesn't need to show every little detail about them, like their backstory or motives, but a name and a face could go a long way toward generating even more hype than the game already has. If Hogwarts Legacy is canon, then it could possibly be someone at least mentioned in the books. There are many theories as to who it is, such as Loxias, one of the early wielders of the Elder Wand. If so, then seeing him go mad with the power it brings could be a very interesting main plot.
Another thing that the Hogwarts Legacy State of Play should show is some of the new magic that players will use in the game. Learning and using magic promises to be a major part of Hogwarts Legacy, and it could be disappointing if it only sticks to what's already been used in other Harry Potter media. New magic is already confirmed in the form of the Ancient Magic that's exclusive to the player, but new spells and charms exclusive to the game are highly anticipated and hopefully coming in the gameplay trailer. Whether Hogwarts Legacy will use Harry Potter's deadliest spell is debatable, and perhaps it's better off without it, but there are many possibilities for new - and less lethal - forms of magic for players to enjoy.
The Hogwarts Legacy gameplay reveal should also show some of the game's character creation. J.K. Rowling's disparaging comments about trans people have been rightfully criticized, and the game has attempted to distance itself from its core source's author and her beliefs. To that end, it's been confirmed that it will offer the option to make a transgender character, by choosing pronouns and which dorm, male or female, that the player has separately from their appearance. The gameplay reveal should show that - at least as a glimpse if not in-depth. From what's been revealed so far, Hogwarts Legacy puts an importance on choice and freedom, so this could emphasize that. Hogwarts Legacy can learn from games like Skyrim and offer its players the freedom to mold their character however they wish.
What Should Be Left Out In Hogwarts Legacy's State of Play
After so long without news, it might be frustrating to not hear anything about what's going to happen in-game when it releases, which has rumored to be September, but it could be better if there weren't too many story reveals. Hogwarts Legacy's presentation should focus on features instead of its plot, and although a few details about the story could be exciting, they should be used sparingly. A good balance could help it generate the most anticipation possible. Hogwarts Legacy theories like magic being banned outside school because of the player are abound, but shouldn't be confirmed with the inclusion of too many plot points.
Tie-ins to the main Harry Potter book series are another thing that Hogwarts Legacy's presentation should steer clear of. The game is supposed to be its own adventure with its own story, so hopefully it honors that and doesn't try to attach itself to the books. Showing events that possibly or are even explicitly stated to lead to Voldemort's rise to power or Dumbledore's obtaining of the Elder Wand could be disappointing, or possibly turn the game into a prequel. Whether there will be tie-ins or not is likely independent of the State of Play, but there hopefully won't be any at all so that players can have their own Hogwarts adventure.
The presentation should also focus on Hogwarts specifically instead of other Wizarding World locations. When exactly Hogwarts Legacy takes place is still uncertain, so some locations might not even be established yet, but the ones that are may be best left out of the reveal. The game is about the Hogwarts experience if what's been shown so far is accurate, and although locales like Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade are likely to make an appearance in-game, Hogwarts Legacy's gameplay reveal should focus on the school and its surrounding areas. One or even two locations outside of Hogwarts may not hurt the presentation, but it should still focus on the school. Hogwarts Legacy has a lot of anticipation surrounding it, so it needs to be careful of what it chooses to show pre-release.
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 for trans rights and that trans identities are valid. 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