Hogwarts Legacy Looks Like Bully For Harry Potter Fans

The upcoming Hogwarts Legacy's recent State of Play presentation showed a game that looks somewhat like a Harry Potter version of the Rockstar game Bully. Both are open-world titles set in a school, and although the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is somewhat different than Bullworth Academy, there are some similarities between the two. Those who have played Bully may find themselves making comparisons between the two once it releases in "Holiday 2022", a vague release date that seems later than the recent September rumors.

Hogwarts Legacy's State of Play gameplay reveal showed off many of the game's features and elements, such as its massive open world and combat mechanics. From what's been shown so far, the game places a high emphasis on customization and freedom of choice, allowing players to make their Hogwarts experience truly their own. Bully was released in October 2006, but players still remember it fondly. If Hogwarts Legacy really is releasing in September 2022, then they'll be 16 years apart from each other, but it looks like they'll be more similar than one would think. Just like Hogwarts Legacy, Bully has a big open world for players to explore, along with plenty do it in it and the freedom to make one's own choices.

Aside from the State of Play showing a massive school with a lot to do, there are other elements that make Hogwarts Legacy a lot like Bully. Those who can't wait to explore Hogwarts may want to pick it up in the meantime to try and slake their thirst for a scholarly open-world adventure. It might not be a towering castle full of magic and spells, but it's still a good game by a major studio, one that's receiving critical acclaim 16 years later. Hogwarts Legacy is different from Harry Potter in various ways, which makes sense given the different time periods and means the world can be more open. How much of Bully is in Hogwarts Legacy is still unknown, and likely won't be until the game's release, but it looks like players will be able to channel Jimmy Hopkins and get into plenty of mischief once it comes out.

Hogwarts Legacy's Open-World Environment Calls Back To Bully

Bully's open world was a big one, that let players roam freely and do as they pleased within the halls of Bullworth Academy and beyond. In the same vein, players will be free to explore Hogwarts and Hogsmeade in Hogwarts Legacy once it releases. Uncovering the secrets of the castle looks exciting and fun, and players may happily spend hours doing just that and nothing else. Just like Bully, they'll also attend classes, although Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts are likely to be a far cry from History and Algebra since Hogwarts Legacy is providing magical education. balancing schoolwork and side quests is something that Bully players might remember, and Hogwarts Legacy players will experience after its release.

In addition to the size of the world and the magical classes, Hogwarts Legacy will also have dynamic seasons and weather. Although it might not be the most exciting aspect of the game, it's still a surprising one that shows just how much effort was put into it. This feature didn't appear in Bully, but something similar was planned for its canceled sequel. Bully 2 reportedly had a grass system that worked in real-time, allowing players to watch as it grew. It might sound boring and is far different from the changing seasons that Hogwarts Legacy promises, but it's still something of another link between the two. If Hogwarts Legacy is canon, and even if it isn't, then hopefully players will be able to see the weather reflected on the ceiling of the Great Hall, too.

Players Can Break Rules In Hogwarts Legacy

Player and Professor Fig manipulating ancient magic in Hogwarts Legacy

A big part of Bully was being able to break rules, pull pranks, and just be a general nuisance if one wished. Hogwarts Legacy promises the same, as the State of Play showed players breaking rules as well as being caught doing so. Exactly how far players will be able to go in their pursuit of making mischief is unknown, but given the wide array of spells and potions they'll be able to use, it shouldn't be too hard to do so. There have also been rumors of a morality meter that would track how much players have broken rules. Although not shown in the State of Play, it could be another Bully feature that could cross over. The player could be why magic is banned outside school in Hogwarts Legacy due to all of their rule-breaking and other events.

However, players will be able to commit something far greater than regular mischief. Rumors that Hogwarts Legacy would let them turn to the Dark Arts have been active for a long time, and in the State of Play, they were confirmed. The gameplay preview explicitly showed the player using Avada Kedavra, the Killing Curse. One line also said that some locations may lead the player character "down a darker path". Bully never had anything worse than a schoolyard fight, so Hogwarts Legacy looks like it will be much darker, but the option to turn to the Dark Side if one wishes does call back to the freedom that Bully offered its players somewhat. Hogwarts Legacy's confirmation of the Unforgivable Curses means that it goes beyond what Bully did.

Hogwarts Legacy's Companions & Side Quests Call Back To Bully

Of course, the player character isn't the only one in Hogwarts Legacy. The State of Play revealed many companions that will aid them on their journey to uncover the secrets of the Ancient Magic. Natsai Onai, Poppy Sweeting, and Sebastian Sallow are just three of the allies that players can expect from Hogwarts Legacy once it releases. It would appear that each one has their own backstory and goals, and hopefully is a dynamic, three-dimensional character.

The side characters in Bully were similarly fleshed-out, from the leader of the Bully clique, Russel Northrop, to Jimmy's best friend, Pete Kowalski. Even the Bullies of Bully aren't as simple as one might expect, as they respect Jimmy for telling them to stop picking on other students and become his allies. Hogwarts Legacy's main villain isn't likely to do the same, but the fact remains that some of its cast look like they'll become fan-favorites.

There are other aspects to Hogwarts Legacy that call back to Bully, but some of them are common in open-world RPGs. A multitude of side quests and the ability to customize the player character with gear and clothing are things that both games share with others like Elder Scrolls and The Witcher. Hogwarts Legacy's character customization looks like it will go beyond Bully, however, since the player character's appearance is customizable, perhaps even in the middle of the game if the scenes with the Room of Requirement are accurate. The fact that Hogwarts Legacy learned from Skyrim and other games is likely a good thing due to their massive success. Hogwarts Legacy looks like it will be the Harry Potter game that the series should have had in the early 2000s with its canceled MMO, and it will hopefully bring new life to the Wizarding World.

Next: Everything We Learned In Hogwarts Legacy's Gameplay Preview

Source: Hogwarts Legacy State of Play Presentation/YouTube

Editor’s Note: Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has been accused of transphobia by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Although not directly involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy, Rowling does stand to earn royalties from the game. We would like to reiterate our support for trans rights and that trans identities are valid. Support services are listed below for trans people impacted by discussions of transphobia.

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