Hogwarts Legacy has quickly become one of the most anticipated games of 2023. It's the stuff of dreams, and something that fans of the Warner Bros property have been craving for years, finally being allowed to craft a character and enjoy Hogwarts and its surrounding areas in an all-new story. The recent gameplay showcase of the Avalanche Software-developed title showed off locations, gameplay features, and the UI layout, and while there is much still unknown about the project, it's shaping up to be something exciting. Naturally, finding a place in the AAA space is hard, and inspiration has to come from all corners, be it the Harry Potter films and books or other high-budget games.
Wizard's Chess is a staple of Hogwarts' culture, as characters can be seen playing it for leisure. In Harry, Ron, and Hermione's case it can be for a lot more, as they play the game on the way to the conclusion of The Philosopher's (or Sorcerer's) Stone. Hogwarts Legacy looks to carry over some critical components of the castle, and while this is commendable, there is always more that can be added to make the world feel authentic. Wizard Chess is one such example, and its confirmed absence is a shame, especially given how plenty of games have adopted mini-games to offer respite from the story, exploration, and combat.
Wizard Chess could have been Hogwarts Legacy's Gwent
While The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is revered for a litany of reasons, namely the tremendous world-building, engaging story, and vast number of deep and compelling side quests, one of its best features is a largely inconsequential card game. Like Triple Triad in Final Fantasy 8, Gwent has no bearing on the story of the 2015 CD Projekt Red title, but quickly became one of the most loved parts of a game that saw near-unparalleled critical acclaim. Horizon Forbidden West learned from the success of Gwent and tried to replicate it with Machine Strike, and it too offered an interesting and addicting break from the explorative gameplay loop that players can get wrapped up in.
This is a common trend that is ever-growing, and to keep up with it Hogwarts Legacy would be best served doing the same. Wizard's Chess is teed up to have the same impact as it already exists within the universe in which the game is set. It could have been used to give an action/adventure title a layer of strategy, with subtle nods to the Harry Potter saga sprinkled in along the way. To know that this won't be the case is sad, as it's undoubtedly a huge missed opportunity.
Hogwarts Legacy's Authenticity is Important
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Not everything in the Harry Potter books and films must be included, but even small trinkets and lore pieces go a long way to making a world feel like it has a true sense of identity. Insomniac's Spider-Man including Avengers Tower, Red Dead Redemption 2 featuring Armadillo, and Arkham Asylum in Gotham Knights all do well to help their respective worlds deliver what is expected of them, and ensure they don't lack the atmosphere that the works that spawned them spent so long building.
Harry Potter has plenty of nick-nacks and thingamajigs that all contribute to making its setting, characters, and story as good as they are. From Hermione's time turner to Dumbledore's elder wand, it's a property that has a litany of items that could, and perhaps should make an appearance in Hogwarts Legacy. Wizard Chess is just one of them, as the increasing need for a well-crafted side activity is ever-increasing, and Gwent or Machine Strike could have used some healthy competition from a franchise that is arguably even more revered than The Witcher or Horizon.
Hogwarts Legacy releases February 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A Switch version is also in development.