Inventory management systems aren’t always the easiest to craft efficiently, as several open-world RPGs have discovered through the years. Yet, their importance to a game’s overall performance can’t be overstated since picking up powerful loot is necessary for player progression.Hogwarts Legacyemployed a new approach to its inventory management by incorporating character customization into its magical Room of Requirement, allowing players to tailor gear to their tastes in terms of color and performance. Although the mechanism proved to be a critical factor inHogwarts Legacy’s success, there is always room for improvement and Avalanche Software could take a page out ofDiablo 4’s playbook in resource management for improvements in a sequel.
Hogwarts Legacyreceived tons of praise in the weeks following its release for its rendition of the iconic school of witchcraft and wizardry, with its engaging storyline and unique gameplay drawing players in swathes. Of particular note was the Room of Requirement, the room fromHarry Potterlorethat could transform itself based on the user’s needs.Hogwarts Legacyallowed players to personalize the space, offering a range of decorations along with a few crafting and incubation devices for their gear and magical beasts. Rather, as the chamber’s base function is resource harvesting, employing a similar inventory management technique toDiablo 4’s Stash and Wardrobe could serve aHogwarts Legacysequel better.
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Simple Resource Harvesting Could Enhance Hogwarts Legacy’s Experience
Character customization options continue to expand in the gaming industry, and it is one of the many areasHogwarts Legacyexcels at. Its offerings in terms of player appearance were especially popular, especially under the critical searchlight brought upon the title by J.K. Rowling’s controversial stance against the trans community.
The Room of Requirement is another means ofcustomization inHogwarts Legacy, drawing superlatives for its gear enchantments and magical beast rearing. However, despite the room’s cultural importance to theHarry Potterfranchise and crafting uses in the game, there’s so much underutilized space within the chamber to defend a continued appearance.
Save for the Vivariums and stations for potions and potting—as well as serving as Deek’s refuge—much of the expanse of The Room of Requirement lies bare. Additionally, the chamber’s secluded nature demands players often visit, effectively removing the famed dormitory adventures ofHarry PotterfromHogwarts Legacy. While the title offers gamers friendships withcharacters like Sebastian Sallowand Natsai Onai, this core element is missing from theHogwarts Legacyexperience. To remedy this oversight,Hogwarts Legacyshould consider replacing the Room of Requirement with a simple trunk in the dorm, similar toDiablo 4.
As the name implies, Stash and Wardrobe is a dual mechanism that allows players to store loot and customize their character’s appearance inDiablo 4. Every major city in the game, from Kyovashad to Hawezar, has a wardrobe location within a house for players to stash items and tweak clothing. The stash can contain up to 50 pieces of gear before needing an upgrade costing 100,000 Gold, and the wardrobe is right next to it. Within the wardrobe,Diablo 4’s gear transmogsgive its items new looks, giving gamers control over the pigment and variant of their loot.
More isn’t always better, andHogwarts Legacy’s Room of Requirementcan easily overwhelm players with its sheer expanse and multiple functions. Avalanche Software could take inspiration fromDiablo 4’s Stash and Wardrobe mechanism and move its character customization options into a portable box since they serve the same purpose in a far more practical fashion. While the Room of Requirement’s breeding elements might need to be presented in another manner due to the change, the benefits of simplifyingHogwarts Legacy’s resource harvesting techniques in a sequel should give the developer food for thought.
Hogwarts Legacyis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Switch version releasing November 14.
