Hogwarts Legacy Showcase - did it meet expectations?
I started writing this on Nov. 15th, 2022, four days after Avalanche had the Hogwarts Legacy Showcase - a 45-minute gameplay/tour of things to come in the game. If you have no idea what I am talking about, and it isn't already after Feb. 10th, 2023, check out this video.
My desires before seeing the showcase were pretty straightforward. First, I wanted to see more actual gameplay, as I didn't feel we got enough in March. Second, to learn more about the game's mechanics while still having limited plot point spoilers.
And then the question is, did it meet expectations? Well, my answer is both yes and no. It is a 100% YES when it comes to mechanics, even though they did not fully detail how all aspects of the game would work. However, they gave me enough in terms of XP, spell switching, and combos, as well as seeing the rest of the HUD, and I have a better sense of how the game might be played.
But, my gameplay desire fell a bit short. They showed a more extensive look at the character builder, which is cool, but once we get it set up the first time, we will care less. They also did a tiny tour of the castle, but that doesn't really show the game. Instead, it shows walking through a castle.
I am not questioning the devs here or the timeline. However, the lack of gameplay is starting to have a creeping concern of delay - of course, if the delay is to make the game truly good, I will take it. Still, right now, I only have a little to compare. What I would have loved, which would have been spoiler-free, was for them to do some part of one of the side quests they showed, like getting a gobstone or key. Also, we still don't know what class will be like, only that it isn't on a schedule, and we don't really know how the game is going to behave from a progression point of view. Basically, I am still left wondering how I will fare as a relatively newbie (noobie) gamer.
The other question I still have (although I am not sure it will get answered till the game comes out) is what will this game look like for someone who wants to stay on the lightside? As I've mentioned before, I am a happy Hufflepuff; going dark on the first play-through does not make any sense, but most of what we have been shown the last several months has been more darkside focused. I am still really curious what does light look like? What spells will we have, and how does the Sebastian sallow storyline play out for us when it comes to the unforgivable curses.
Anyway, here's till the next Hogwarts Legacy update!
P.S. For those who complained about not enough owls, here's a lovely one perched outside Diagon Alley