Hogwarts Legacy finally adds GTA-inspired Wanted system

Hogwarts Legacy finally adds GTA-inspired Wanted system
Avalanche Software | Rockstar Games

Written by 

Tom Chapman

Published 

31st May 2023 12:58

We love a bit of realism in video games, and just like you couldn't walk down the street and shoot someone down in broad daylight without there being consequences (we hope), players have to learn there are consequences for their actions. Well, that's unless you're playing Hogwarts Legacy

Avalanche Software's first foray into the Wizarding World let us explore the hallowed halls of the famed school, using whimsical spells like Lumos and Levioso, although, most of us were there for the hard stuff. You could blast enemies with Avada Kedavra and walk away without consequences... until now.

Disclaimer: While the creator of the Harry Potter franchise was not directly involved in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy, their comments on social media around transgender people are hurtful and dangerous given the size of their platform. 

We’d implore you to read our explainer of the controversy so far, and consider supporting trans rights charities where possible.

Hogwarts Legacy finally gets a morality system

We previously covered how Avalanche reportedly axed a much-hyped Hogwarts Legacy morality system. Prior to release, players were excited to learn about the Unforgivable Curses, but also heard that you couldn't go firing them off willy-nilly. 

Sadly, this morality system isn't the official work of Avalanche itself, but modder jedijosh920. Showing off their work on YouTube, the Avada Kedavra Wanted System increases your infamy every time you cast the green spell. Using the curse on NPCs will alert the Ministry of Magic and send Aurors after you. 

There's a cool throwback to the movies, with your player character featured on a wanted poster that says, "Have you seen this wizard?" It'll stay that way until you beat the Aurors or are detained by them. If you're bested, you're sent packing to Azakaban, which forces a game over, back to your last save or checkpoint.

Similar to the Wanted system you find in Rockstar games like Grand Theft Auto, Bully, or Red Dead Redemption, it's simplistic but will have you thinking twice about dishing our curses. Fans loved the mod, as one supporter cheered, "This is how the game should've been. Fans always make the game better lmao."

Hogwarts Legacy sequel can improve on the orignal

Avada Kedavra Hogwarts Legacy Curse
Click to enlarge
Avalanche Software

If it was this easy for players to instil a morality system in Hogwarts Legacy, here's hoping Avalanche is taking not for the inevitable sequel. As with all these things, everyone is expecting a bigger and bolder sequel like what Insomniac is (hopefully) delivering with Spider-Man 2.

Even though a Hogwarts Legacy sequel hasn't officially been given the green light yet, we'd be stupefied if it doesn't get one. Warner Bros. has teased Hogwarts Legacy as the start of a whole franchise, while recent job postings could hint that a sequel is closer than we think.

We suggest the team gets back on their broomsticks soon, as critiques of an "empty" game and plunging player numbers show there's not much to stick around for these days. Still, with modders helping keep Hogwarts Legacy alive, we can't wait to see what other creative tweaks they come up with.

Tom Chapman
About the author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
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