The last few months of the year are absolutely jam-packed with exciting new video game releases, including some of the most anticipated games of the year. With juggernauts likeCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,God of War Ragnarok, andPokemon Scarlet and Violetreleasing so soon, there’s no wonder why certain titles are jumping ship to next year, and one of the first titles to do so wasHogwarts Legacy, the long-awaitedthird-person RPG set in the Wizarding World.
Back in August,Hogwarts Legacywas delayed from a Holiday 2022 release, to an early 2023 window. While this delay is obviously disappointing to those looking forward to the game, the extra few months will likely ensure that the finished product is as polished as possible. However, based on the footage released so far, it seems as thoughHogwarts Legacynever had a release date that truly suited the game, as a Halloween release would have been perfect.
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Hogwarts Legacy Would Have Been The Perfect Halloween Game
AsHogwarts Legacygets ever so slightly closer to its eventual release date, Portkey Games has started to release more and more gameplay trailers revolving around different aspects of the experience. From magical creatures to the Hogwarts' house dormitories, each ofHogwarts Legacy’s trailershas revealed something new, and has given fans a better idea of the game’s overall tone and art style.
Based on the footage released so far, it seems as thoughHogwarts Legacymay end up being quite a cozy experience. Each ofHogwarts Legacy’s common roomslooks warm and welcoming, maybe aside from Slytherin’s, walking around the castle grounds looks like a serene, peaceful experience, and the warm lighting of Hogwarts' halls and corridors give the whole game a distinctly cozy atmosphere. Pairing this with the game’s seasonal weather cycle, andHogwarts Legacylooks like it might just be the perfect Autumnal cozy game.
But not all ofHogwarts Legacy’s environmentslook welcoming. The trailers released so far have shown off a variety of magical beasts, most of which look to harm the player. Some trailers have also shown some ominous-looking weather, along with some darkly-lit, eerie castle corridors. Throw some ghosts and specters in the mix andHogwarts Legacymay be a little spookier than some fans were expecting, which could make it the perfect Halloween game.
The most recentHogwarts Legacytrailer, which appeared at Sony’s recent State of Play, showcased a PlayStation-exclusive mission called the “Haunted Hogsmeade Shop Quest.” Though only a few brief moments of gameplay were shown, this mission seems oddly terrifying, with pitch-black rooms, mind-bending shape-shifting walls, and jerkily-animated mannequins stalking the player through the shop. IfHogwarts Legacyends up having more of these missions, then it could end up being quite a scary game.
While some gamers prefer their Halloween gaming experience to revolve solely around traditional horror experiences, such asResident Evil,Silent Hill, and other classic survival horror titles, some gamers prefer a more laid-back Halloween gaming experience, with plenty of cozy moments in between the terrifying sequences. This is why games likeStardew ValleyandLittle Nightmareshave become so popular during the Halloween season, as while there are some spookier moments, there’s plenty of downtime. It seems as thoughHogwarts Legacyis going to offer the perfect blend of both elements, so it’s a shame that it’s releasing in February instead.
Hogwarts Legacyreleases February 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A Switch version is also in development.
