The game titled “Hogwarts Legacy” has been one of the highest-grossing and widely-adored debut releases in recent years, even surpassing established titles such as Call of Duty and Zelda during its launch year. Given this success and the vastness of its Harry Potter origin story, it appears almost inevitable that a sequel to “Hogwarts Legacy” will be developed, providing Avalanche Software an opportunity to rectify certain shortcomings from the initial game.
It’s clear that people’s opinions on what’s wrong with “Hogwarts Legacy” can vary, but some common criticisms include issues with the game’s open-world design being too simple and the main character lacking depth. However, stepping back to take a broader view, it appears that the game’s handling of its RPG elements may have been problematic for the overall experience, as both the storyline and gameplay often lack impact. This is because the player’s actions don’t seem to matter much, even though they sometimes seem significant. As a result, some players have proposed adding a morality system, like those seen in games such as “Mass Effect” and “Fable,” for the sequel. While this idea has merit, there are also arguments that “Hogwarts Legacy 2” might benefit from a different approach instead.
Why a Morality System Isn’t the Right Choice for Hogwarts Legacy 2
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Could Struggle to Introduce a Nuanced Morality Binary
Discussing the idea of moral systems within video games can be intricate because it often refers to a multitude of narrative and gameplay elements. For instance, opting for “immoral” actions in ‘Infamous’ transforms the player-character’s looks and grants distinct abilities, whereas doing so in ‘Mass Effect’ merely opens up new dialogue options with greater plot consequences. The immediate effect on both gameplay and storyline is what makes these systems appealing, but they could potentially become overly restrictive, mechanical, and unsophisticated, which might pose challenges for a similar system in ‘Hogwarts Legacy 2’.
From my perspective as a gaming enthusiast, a moral system in games essentially guides players on what’s considered ethical within the game world, defining right and wrong. It’s not necessarily bad that games make moral judgments – for instance, killing innocent civilians is universally agreed to be unacceptable. However, these systems can sometimes oversimplify complex moral dilemmas, making them less nuanced. The Paragon and Renegade system in Mass Effect is a prime example of this, as it presents players with distinctly colored dialogue options that suggest right or wrong choices, rather than allowing the player to make their own ethical conclusions. Furthermore, linking cosmetic items, abilities, or other rewards to moral alignment can blur the lines even more. Is a player choosing the gray path because they believe it’s the morally correct choice, or simply for the sake of obtaining specific gear or upgrades?
What Hogwarts Legacy 2 Should Include Instead of a Morality System
In contrast to some criticisms suggesting that conventional moral systems simplify gameplay or storytelling, it’s important to note that their foundational principles aren’t inherently flawed. Instead, these systems aim to underscore the idea that a player’s choices have consequences – if they choose action X, outcome Y will follow. This is a crucial element that the RPG design of Hogwarts Legacy 2 would greatly benefit from incorporating.
In Hogwarts Legacy 2, instead of labeling certain actions as inherently good or bad, it could be more engaging for the player to make their own moral judgments about the choices they make. However, these decisions should still have consequences. For instance, during a side quest, the player might choose an action that their allies find questionable, but this wouldn’t necessarily mean that the player-character is being labeled as ‘evil’. Instead, the action could be open to various interpretations, and the impact it has on in-game relationships would simply demonstrate the outcome of the decision—not serving as a moral judgment. The focus should be on the consequences, not imposing objective moral judgments upon the player-character.
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2025-06-06 16:07