Anticipation forHogwarts Legacyhas continued to steadily build, ever since Avalanche Software pulled back the curtain on its game earlier this year. Thanks totheHarry Potterspin-off’sstandalone State of Play presentation, it appears as though the open-world title will be everything that fans have been clamoring for. Between its gameplay mechanics, references, and attention to detail, it’s clear that the studio is trying to build something for all the series’ fans.
Based on a number of alleged leaks, it looks like Avalanche could also be gearing up to provide an update onHogwarts Legacy’s release date. Over the last few weeks alone, several gameplay details have been seemingly been posted online, alongsideits Collector Edition’s content. One element of the game’s open-world that’s caught the attention of its fan base, though, is the titular school’s mysterious West Tower. Thanks to theHarry Potterfranchise’s established lore, it’s possible to speculate with accuracy what could await players inside.
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Hogwarts’ Owlery
InHogwarts Legacy’s key art, the iconic castle’s West Tower stands out along its skyline. Taking inspiration from theHarry Potterfilm series, the tall stone structure is segregated away from the rest of the main castle’s interconnected towers and courtyards. There’s likely a good reason for this though, as just like in the franchise’s other media, the West Tower seemingly functions as an Owlery in Avalanche Software’s open-world game. It’s a safe bet that most of the tower will subsequently be home to hundreds of the franchise’s lovable mail delivery owls.
Based on the studio’s desire to create a true tributeto theHarry Potterfranchise, it’s little wonder that Avalanche has already inferred that players will be able to interact with their very own feathered companion. Beyond magical beasts like Nifflers, it’s also been teased that players will be able to adopt an owl as their pet of choice, just like the franchise’s titular wizard. Frequent trips to the West Tower will likely become routine for the protagonist because of this, as they receive letters and goods from the rest of the in-game universe.
The West Tower’s Offices
While most of the West Tower’s top floors are dedicated to the Owlery, it’s worth keeping in mind that its lower floors and rooms often serve an important role as well. That’s because intheHarry Potterbooks and movies, the tower is also the location that students can find either the Headmasters or Headmistresses’ Office. Even though Avalanche Software hasn’t confirmed who is running the school inHogwarts Legacyyet, it stands to reason that players will interact with them on multiple occasions throughout its story.
Based on the established timeline of theHarry Potterfranchise, and the fact thatHogwarts Legacytakes place in the late 1800s, fans have a working theory as to who could be in charge. It’s been established that around the time that the game is set, Phineas Nigellus Black was the Headmaster for a while. Beyond providing an intriguing look at Sirius Black’s ancestor, ifAvalanche chooses to go down this routeit would also have big story ramifications. Phineas has been described as the least popular headmaster Hogwarts ever had, thanks to his supremacist views. Making the head wizard in the school a morally dark character would be a tantalizing contrast to what fans have come to expect from the likes of Dumbledore.
Other Notable Details
Beyond the Owlery and Office rooms, there’s also several other aspects to the West Tower that fans should keep in mind as theygo intoHogwarts Legacy. Thanks to theHarry Potterbooks, it’s already been established that a classroom dedicated to Muggle Art & Artifacts can usually be found along its hallways. With Phineas Nigellus Black possibly being in charge, there’s a chance that this little detail could feature in the game’s plot based on his world-views.
The West Tower also has one courtyard, which is home to the appropriately named West Well, and its own separate garden. Other notable landmarks include the Celestial Tapestries room, the West Tower Battlements, and a gallery dedicated to the wizarding world’s famous families. It’s easy to imagine Avalanche willincorporate some of these elements intoHogwarts Legacy, which means players might be able to visit these locations in their spare time.
Hogwarts Legacyreleases in Holiday 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
