Hogwarts Legacyis one of the most successful games of the decade, and a few years after its release, players are wondering what’s next for the fantasy RPG. While a sequel has all but officially been confirmed by Avalanche Studios and Warner Bros. Games, a potentialHogwarts Legacy 2will likely still take a couple of years to come out. However, despite there being no sequel for 2025,this year could still be a big one forHogwarts Legacy,which has already sold an impressive 30 million copies since its release in 2023.
The next possible step forHogwarts Legacyto take in 2025 is to improve its performance on the Switch 2. While the Nintendo Switch version ofHogwarts Legacyleft a lot to be desired due to the hardware limitations presented by the older console,the upcoming Switch 2 could provide the necessary specifications for an uncompromisedHogwarts Legacyexperience. To capitalize even more on the Switch 2,Hogwarts Legacyshould release a definitive or director’s cut of the game to improve on the original port and provide even more content for the next generation console.
Hogwarts Legacy Needs A Refresh On The Switch 2
A New Console Provides A New Opportunity
Of all the consoles thatHogwarts Legacyreleased on, the Nintendo Switch had the least optimized experience. The differences in performance between console options - PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch - are stark, for obvious reasons. Limited to just a single performance mode,the Switch port ofHogwarts Legacysuffered from a huge range of issues that other consoles and PCs avoided.
The Switch port experienced stuttering, dropped frames, loading screens at every door frame, lower quality animations, and reduced graphics. It is impressive that the game, which requires 85 GB of available space on PC, was able to play decently after being cut down to just 15 GB for the Switch, but a major title likeHogwarts Legacydeserves better.
10 Features Hogwarts Legacy 2 Needs To Leave Behind
Hogwarts Legacy was a great game, but it had a lot of bad gameplay mechanics that the sequel absolutely need to leave behind to succeed.
Exploring the sweeping grounds of Hogwarts, the neighboring town of Hogsmeade, and the titular castle itself inHogwarts Legacyshould be a grand experience(and a smooth one), which is simply not possible on the Switch version of the game. Entering every new area on the Switch port gives players loading screen after loading screen, and any wizarding action causes a significant framerate drop.
While the game is obviously limited by the hardware of the Switch,an updated version of the console could be the perfect opportunity to tune-up theHogwarts Legacyexperience. The recentreveal of the Nintendo Switch 2only helps to fuel the reasoning behind this.
Nintendo has a history of fast turnaround from announcement to release, so players could soon have confirmation of a late-2025 release date. Though the exact specifications have not yet been confirmed, theSwitch 2 will likely be far superior to the original Nintendo Switch in terms of hardware. This means that it will be far better equipped to run AAA titles likeHogwarts Legacywithout such dramatic compromises to performance.
A Rumored Director’s Cut Is The Perfect Opportunity
Enhanced Performance For A New Edition
Not only could the Nintendo Switch 2 better runHogwarts Legacy, but the new console also presents the perfect opportunity for a new version of the game. While no official news has come from Warner Bros. Games, rumors have recently appeared in force that adirector’s cut of the game is coming, potentially even in 2025.
Since theHarry Potter-based game was so massively successful, both critically and commercially,it would make sense for Warner Bros. Games to capitalize on its success with another versionwith new content for players eager for more. The Wizarding World is so full of potential, any number of quests or new creatures that were cut from the original game could be added to a director’s cut, which would make another edition worth it for hardcore fans.
A Switch 2 version of the game would not only provide a better experience but potentially new content for players to consume in between the time it takes forHogwarts Legacy 2to be revealed.
However, since it’s likely that Avalanche Studios is working on a sequel, anything particularly interesting may be saved for later content. Nevertheless,a director’s cut of the game made for the Nintendo Switch 2 could expand on small parts ofHogwarts Legacy,including exploring more side characters or classes,while simultaneously improving the gameplay experience through superior hardware. It would be the perfect opportunity to bring the trueHogwarts Legacyexperience, without compromises or shortcuts, to a Nintendo console.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Has A Perfect Timeline Placement Option, But Will The Sequel Use It?
There is one era that has yet to truly be explored in Harry Potter media that would be perfect for Hogwarts Legacy 2, but will the studio use it?
The best way for a director’s cut ofHogwarts Legacyto come out would be as a launch title for the Switch 2. Advertising the improved gameplay experience would play to the strengths of both the Switch 2 as a beefier console andHogwarts Legacyas a full-fledged wizarding experience on a Nintendo console. Not only would thisprovide a better experience for Switch users, but it would provideHogwarts Legacyan update, and potentially new content, for players to consume in between the time it takes forHogwarts Legacy 2to be revealed.
Hogwarts Legacy Could Have A Big Year Even Without A Sequel
A Long Wait Could Be Abated By A New Version
IfHogwarts Legacyreceives a sequel soon, then it still likely won’t come out for a few years.Any sequel certainly wouldn’t come out as soon as 2025, but that doesn’t mean this year can’t be a big one forHogwarts Legacy. If the Nintendo Switch 2 does come out alongside a director’s cut version of the game, then it could earn itself continued interest and even more sales.
Since the wait for a highly anticipated sequel can take a long time, as fans of titles likeThe Elder ScrollsorGrand Theft Autoknow,releasing new versions ofHogwarts Legacyor major updates for the base copy can help keep a franchise freshand exciting in player’s minds. Retaining interest is an important task for any series that’s lasted decades, and the corporate owners of the Wizarding World IPare well aware of this as they plan to intertwineHogwarts Legacy 2with theupcoming HBO TV adaptionof theHarry Potterbooks.
