Both games feature spells, and they will allow players to explore a magical world. However, their implementation of magic and their approach to open-world design differs. Both games likely have overlapping fan bases eagerly awaiting the release of the games, and if Hogwarts Legacy wishes to be the biggest game of early 2022, it will have to prove itself against Forspoken. It will be a good time for fans of the fantasy genre, as they will have plenty to choose from.
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Two Styles of Magic
Although Forspoken and Hogwarts Legacy may appear quite different on the surface, they do share many significant similarities. Perhaps most notably, both games lean heavily into the fantasy genre, and they integrate magic into their combat. Each game approaches the concept of magic differently, and it will ultimately be up to gamers to decide which style appeals to them. The magic of Hogwarts Legacy’s Wizarding World mainly draws from European mythology, leading to the appearance of several mythological creatures from Norse, Celtic, and Anglo-Saxon mythology. For example, Kelpies are spoken of in Scottish folklore, while the werewolf Fenrir Greyback is named after the giant wolf of Scandinavian folklore. When it comes to casting spells and brewing potions, the Wizarding World contains many elements from European alchemy. This is seen with the use of Latin, and the existence of items such as the Philosopher’s Stone.
It is not yet clear whether Forspoken’s magic draws from any mythology, though it is evident that it works in mysterious ways. Frey is transported from New York to the magical land of Athia where she learns she can wield magic. She can cast spells, and trailers suggest that they are divided into elemental groups such as fire, water, and earth, and players will be able to access them via a weapon wheel. Frey can also zip across the landscape at breathtaking speeds, making traversal an exhilarating experience. Frey, like the protagonist of Hogwarts Legacy, has yet to master magic. However, while Hogwarts Legacy has Hogwarts to provide lessons, it appears that Frey will have to learn on the job.
In both games, magic will not be an entirely benevolent force, and players will regularly encounter its darker side. Forspoken features the Break, a force that turns everything it touches into a malignant version of itself. Though Frey is not affected by the Break, she may run into Breakstorms, which have her facing hordes of enemies. In Hogwarts Legacy, there is a gang of Dark Wizards led by Victor Rookwood. Interestingly, while it appears that Forspoken will have players fighting the forces of evil, it seems that Hogwarts Legacy will allow players to dabble in dark magic if they wish. It has also been shown that players will be able to wield dark magic and even cast Unforgivable Curses.
Two Approaches to Open-World Gameplay
Both Forspoken and Hogwarts Legacy are open-world games that offer plenty of exploration opportunities, though each game offers a unique take on the genre. Hogwarts Legacy takes place in Hogwarts, which features moving staircases, dungeons, and ghosts. Players will be able to access the Room of Requirement and use it as a sort of base where they can enchant gear, brew potions, and harvest plants. After being sorted into one of the four houses, players will also be able to enter their house’s common room. Exploration is not limited to the castle, however, and players will also be able to venture into Hogsmeade.
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Forspoken appears to feature a more traditional open-world map that contains vast stretches of wilderness to explore. Athia is a dangerous place, and players will find themselves up against plenty of monsters. When players are looking for safety, they will be able to head to one of the various settlements, including the city of Cipal, which gamers have gotten a glimpse of. Both Hogwarts Legacy and Forspoken feature compelling open worlds, and it will take players a while before they turn all stones and discover all the secrets awaiting them.
Forspoken has plenty going for it, and eyes are on it thanks to the big names attached to it. Writers include notable names such as Amy Hennig and Gary Whitta, while music will be handled by God of War’s Bear McCreary. Luminous Productions, the development team behind the game, is composed of individuals who also worked on Final Fantasy 15, which suggests that gamers are in for some well-designed open-world gameplay. However, this does not mean that Hogwarts Legacy will be overshadowed so easily.
Hogwarts Legacy has the fan base of a multi-billion dollar franchise behind it, and the game’s ambitious scope has had Harry Potter fans excited for what could be the most immersive Harry Potter game to date. The speed at which the $300 Hogwarts Legacy Collector’s Edition sold out, and the ridiculous prices it is being resold for online, also indicates that hype for the game is strong. Time will tell whether the games will be able to live up to the sky-high expectations and whether either game will be outshone by the other.
Hogwarts Legacy is scheduled to release on February 10, 2023 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A Nintendo Switch version is also on the way.
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