Hogwarts Legacy won't punish players for using Dark magic

The release of Hogwarts Legacy is just around the corner, for some at least. If you own a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or PC, you’ll be able to grab the game on 10 February. Those who have pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition will gain access on 7 February. The rest of you? Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait a few months longer.

Of course, there are plenty of people who aren’t excited about the release of Hogwarts Legacy due to author J.K. Rowling’s transphobic comments which alienated much of the Harry Potter fanbase. Some are using Steam reviews to protest against the release of Avalanche Software’s latest. As we draw closer to the game’s release, we’re finding out more about what the title has in store. There are reportedly over 100 side quests to keep you busy. We already knew that you could embark on a darker wizarding path but seemingly, you won’t be punished or questioned for making bad choices.

Check out the latest cinematic trailer for Hogwarts Legacy below.

Hands-on previews for Hogwarts Legacy have arrived and GamesRadar picked up on the game’s amorality. Essentially, if you choose to go full-on Death Eater and subject all your classmates to unforgivable curses, you won’t particularly be punished for it. In fact, some fans are hoping to see just how evil the game allows them to be.

In an interview with GamesRadar, lead designer Kelly Murphy said, “It was important for us to give players who sought out to be a dark witch or wizard an opportunity to do so. This is the ultimate embodiment of role-playing; allowing the player to be evil. Additionally, this was important because it comes from a place of non-judgement by the game creators. If you want to be evil, be evil."

"Characters will react visually and audibly to seeing the player cast an Unforgivable, but we don’t have a morality system that punishes them for doing so – this would be too judgemental on the game maker’s part,” Murphy continued. “But, should the player continue these actions, the world will reflect back knowledge of them.” Hm, are you tempted to take this path?