Hogwarts Legacymay be the most ambitiousHarry Pottervideo game yet, but its late-1800s setting and fresh take on the school means it has the opportunity to iterate upon the world. As such, there should be less pressure to adhere to what made the books and films great.Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardryis a storied building, with both valiant heroes and cunning villains finding a home within its walls, but more impressive still is the franchise’s ability to craft places of almost equal intrigue like the Shrieking Shack.
Hogsmeade was the focal point of a trailer at Sony’s September 2022 State of Play, showing that mysteries stretch beyond the school grounds. Similar toStar Trek’s USS Enterprise or Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, Hogwarts doesn’t define the exploits of its characters. The plots of both aforementioned franchises occur in more than one place, and thoughHarry Potterisn’t as sprawling asLord of the Rings, magic can be found in far more than just Hogwarts. The Shrieking Shack is an intriguing location inHarry Potter, and though its history doesn’t go as far back as Avalanche Software’s upcoming game, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t make an appearance.
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The Shrieking Shack in Harry Potter
Hogsmeade will feature inHogwarts Legacy, but perhaps not in the same state that fans expect. Taking place around a century before the events ofThe Philosopher’s(orSorcerer’s)Stone,the project will focus on the world’s history, with freedom to take its story and setting in a number of compelling directions. History is something that J.K. Rowling’s most popular works aren’t afraid to take advantage of, as many of the characters have complex dynamics and relationships before Harry arrives on the scene. One such character is Remus Lupin, a former student and Marauder alongside his other Gryffindor friends who is also a werewolf, which is where his past with the Shrieking Shack comes into play.
The Shrieking Shack was built far away from the castle so that Lupin could use it during nights with a full moon to transform safely. It’s a surprising character flaw for a wizard who is so pleasant, despite the obvious pun in his name.The Shreiking Shack’s place in Hogsmeademakes it feel like a blemish on an otherwise picturesque village, andHogwarts Legacycould give the location a different origin story in the 1800s that somehow alludes to its future connection with Lupin.
Hogwarts Legacy Needs to Feel Familiar
Without essential areas like the Whomping Willow or the Great Lake,The Hogwarts that Avalanche Software presentscould run the risk of feeling generic, lacking the identity needed to stand out for existing fans. Hogsmeade has a handful of places that eagle-eyed viewers may recognize, like The Hog’s Head pub and Madam Puddifoot’s tea shop, but the Shrieking Shack is one of the most well-known due to its stark contrast from the rest of the town.
The story presented inHogwarts Legacyis almost certainly not going to be a jovial affair, as players will be at the heart of a world-shaping tale. The Shrieking Shack’s gloomy past is a reminder that not all magic is wonderful, and danger lurks around every corner. It’s considered an eyesore to Hogsmeade’s inhabitants, and whileHogwarts Legacyshould show the lighter side of magic, this can only be developed if there is sufficient villainy to go along with it. The Shrieking Shack’s history and jagged aesthetic offer much value to the setting’s tone, so leaving it out ofHogwarts Legacywould be a shame.
Hogwarts Legacylaunches February 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A Switch version is also in development.
