There's a lot to love about the first Harry Potter movie, from its set design to its special effects to its world-building. But if there's one thing that keeps everything glued together in that first movie, it's John Williams' magical score, with a main theme that's transcended the Harry Potter series and has been carried over as the Wizarding World's theme. Even if a Wizarding World score doesn't use the iconic main theme of the Harry Potter series, it'll try to imitate the sound of those movies very closely, and thankfully, Hogwarts Legacy does an excellent job of blending the old and the new.
Set at least 100 years before the events of the Harry Potter series, it only makes sense that Hogwarts Legacy has its own distinct style of music. But rather than go for a completely new sound, Hogwarts Legacy has decided to strike the perfect balance, offering a fitting new soundtrack that evokes the same magical feel as the original Williams' score while also sprinkling in a few motifs that will be instantly recognizable for long-time Harry Potter fans, adding to the already overwhelming sense of nostalgia that Hogwarts Legacy has.
Hogwarts Legacy's Music Cues are the Perfect Blend of Nostalgia and New
The opening 30 minutes of Hogwarts Legacy is a rollercoaster ride of references, action, and story setup, barely giving fans a moment to breathe. But after Professor Fig and the player-character escape Gringotts, the carnage comes to a halt, and players are finally given their first look at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As the camera rises above a forest, the Hogwarts Express enters Hogsmeade Station, all while the music continues to build. Though it's a new theme, the instruments and general tone of the music will be all too familiar to fans, and as the camera finally pans up to reveal Hogwarts for the first time, the main Harry Potter theme kicks in, and an undeniable rush of nostalgia is guaranteed to rush through the body of any fan.
From then on, the original Harry Potter score is largely forgotten about, with the game favoring its own unique soundtrack. While this might seem like a turn-off for fans, it's actually for the best, as Hogwarts Legacy's unique score allows it to stand out against the movie series and carve out its own identity, all while having the same magical essence as the original John Williams score.
This blend of new music that evokes old, nostalgic themes is carried across all of the game's environments. When players are exploring Hogwarts, they'll hear calm music that feels as though it's encouraging learning, curiosity and adventure. When players enter Hogsmeade, they'll be met with an upbeat, lighthearted, and fun score. And when players step foot in the Forbidden Forest, the soundtrack gets a little eerie and foreboding.
But that's not to say Hogwarts Legacy forgets about the Harry Potter score entirely. Whenever a player unlocks a new Field Guide Page, or levels up, or completes a quest, they'll hear just a few key notes of that iconic Harry Potter theme. This decision is nothing but sheer genius on Avalanche's part. With just six notes, Hogwarts Legacy manages to truly make the player feel like the hero of the story, and that what they've just accomplished has all been worthwhile. Nostalgia can be a powerful thing, and Hogwarts Legacy manages to walk that line very well.
Hogwarts Legacy is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. PS4 and Xbox One ports are scheduled to release on April 4, the Nintendo Switch version is arriving July 25, 2023.