With how large and complex games have become, many games feature detailed HUDs and status bars to help players navigate and learn about their environment. This can be incredibly helpful, though it sometimes interferes with immersion. Games like God of War Ragnarok get around this issue by featuring a dynamic HUD that disappears and shows up when players need it. More games need this feature, as it allows players to get information quickly without sacrificing immersion.
When games do not feature a dynamic HUD like God of War Ragnarok’s, it is sorely missed. This can be seen in titles like Hogwarts Legacy which is visually stunning, but the HUD elements make it hard to appreciate it. Players can remove the HUD, but this causes them to miss out on important information.
God of War Ragnarok’s Useful Dynamic HUD Sets the Bar for the Gaming Industry
God of War Ragnarok continues Atreus and Kratos’ story which has them up against Odin among many other enemies. God of War Ragnarok brings plenty of gameplay improvements that make combat far more engaging and test gamers in new ways. The ability to play as Atreus introduces new weapons and moves, and the blizzard of Fimbulwinter has made the Nine Realms unrecognizable. Some things have stayed the same though, and that includes the dynamic HUD that was present in 2018’s God of War.
With the dynamic HUD, during regular gameplay, the screen is left void of any HUD elements. This allows players to immerse themselves fully in the game, which gamers will definitely want to do, as Ragnarok is one of the most eye-wateringly gorgeous games around. However, when it is time for action and Kratos is chucking his Leviathan Axe, players can bring up the HUD with a simple swipe of the DualSense's touchpad if they need to see Kratos' health as well as the health of enemies. The HUD can also be brought up if players are lost, and need help from the compass.
Hogwarts Legacy Proves That Dynamic HUDs Aren't Universal Yet
Dynamic HUDs are so useful that they have found widespread use within video games, especially open-world games where gamers might want to explore with a clean screen and only have HUD elements up when they encounter foes. This is the case in Horizon Forbidden West which gives gamers ample opportunity to appreciate the lush environments, though players are never left without any vital information, as the HUD can be brought up by swiping the DualSense controller's touchpad.
When the dynamic HUD is absent, it can be quite inconvenient. Gamers are left to choose between leaving a HUD up that breaks immersion, or removing HUD elements and missing out on necessary information. This occurs in the recently released Hogwarts Legacy. Judging by the fine details, it is clear that the developers put a lot of effort into crafting an accurate version of Hogwarts castle. However, the HUD's design can be distracting. Players can turn it off, but this leaves players unable to see their spells or see quest notifications which are often important. A dynamic HUD would solve this problem, though none is present. If one was added with an update, it would make an already great game even better.
Despite the lack of a dynamic HUD, Hogwarts Legacy has been breaking records. Its sales have been giving Elden Ring a run for its money, and it has been consistently trending on Twitch. This is all good news for Harry Potter fans, as it makes future Hogwarts Legacy games far more likely. Hopefully, future entries implement a more convenient HUD that is more similar to that of God of War Ragnarok.
Hogwarts Legacy is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.