The world ofHogwarts Legacy, like a lot ofHarry Pottermedia, has a lot of potential. Sadly, it is also similar to other parts of theHarry Potterfranchise in that a lot of this potential is squandered due to overly simplistic, black-and-white storytelling, among other issues. If Avalanche Software wantsHogwarts Legacy 2to be an improvement over its predecessor, then it should take some steps in a more mature narrative direction.
Hogwarts Legacy2hasn’t been officially announced yet, but considering that the first game was 2023’s most successful release by a country mile, it’s likely only a matter of time.
One way thatHogwarts Legacy 2could build toward a better game world and story would be to strengthen some of its character writing. A number of characters from the first game are one-dimensional and bland, either wholly good or wholly bad, or otherwise underdeveloped. This can be seen in characters like Ranrok, whose motivations actually make a lot of sense before being washed away by him becoming inexplicably power-hungry and corrupt, thereby erasing his previous deeds and philosophy. The game’s spate of weak characters may also be why characters like Sebastian Sallow are so compelling for players: Sallow does bad things, but he also comes from a good place, making him complex and relatable. Other characters, like Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black, should get similar treatment in the sequel.
The Case for Hogwarts Legacy 2 to Humanize Headmaster Black
Headmaster Black Should Be a More Interesting Character
Phineas Nigellus Black is one ofmanyHogwarts Legacycharacters related to members of the originalHarry Pottercast. An ancestor of the rugged hero Sirius Black, Phineas adheres to the most contemptible traits of the Black household, namely their concerns with blood purity and lineage. He appears in theHarry Potterbooks as one of many semi-conscious portraits, where he is depicted as snide, rude, and selfish, though not outright evil. He doesn’t support Death Eaters or Voldemort, and he generally understands why characters like Harry are fighting for their cause, even if he wouldn’t make the same choices himself.
But inHogwarts Legacy, he is shown to be far more unlikable: he is weak, foolish, and close-minded, with nary a redeeming trait in sight. Of course, he is supposed to bethe least popular headmaster inHarry Pottercanon, so this characterization makes sense on the surface, but it also makes him uninteresting and a bit implausible. He doesn’t even care about the nascent Goblin Rebellion, despite his clear disdain toward non-human magical beings, which may be seen as contradictory.
Fleshing Out Headmaster Black Could Be Part of a Bigger Solution
There’s a tendency for minorHarry Potterantagonists to be totally despicable and easily reviled (see: Peter Pettigrew and Dolores Umbridge), and Phineas Black is no exception. Players shouldn’t exactly like him, as his wizarding world racism and questionable choices like canceling quidditch for a year over a single injury are indeed absurd, but getting a better glimpse into his psyche could helpHogwarts Legacy 2be more complex, presenting players with a more well-thought-out cast of characters.
PerhapsHogwarts Legacy 2could show more of Black’s sympathetic traits, like his reverence for his family history, or why exactly he is so protective of wizardkind in the first place. Shining light on these traits wouldn’t mean excusing his behavior, but explaining them, making him more believable and multifaceted. TheHarry Potterfranchise touches on the importance of individual choice and the complexity of the human spirit, like when Sirius Black tells Harry that the world isn’t “broken up into good people and Death Eaters,” but the reality of the story often contradicts this philosophy—Hogwarts Legacy 2could actually reflect it, starting with Headmaster Black.
