In a packed gaming industry that produces multiple AAA-rated games each year, maintaining absolute originality is a near-impossible task for game developers, and several games have areas that closely mirror other franchises. Of course, each new game has to have its own distinguishing identity, but sometimes similar features start an interesting discourse. In the case of Hogwarts Legacy and Red Dead Redemption 2, there might seemingly not be much in common between one of the best cowboy games and one concerned with wizardry, but both games are set just before the turn of the 20th century. There might not be much more than an innocent coincidence in this relationship, but two giant gaming titles exploring the same timeframe make it worth delving into its significance.

Hogwarts Legacy is one of the most highly anticipated game releases slated for 2023, with developer Avalanche Software putting a spin on the beloved Harry Potter storyline. While gamers might have appreciated an opportunity to interact with Harry and his friends at Hogwarts, Hogwarts Legacy has its setting in 1890 - a few years before Dumbledore shows up to study at the famed institution. Red Dead Redemption 2, on the other hand, took gamers to a period just before the end of the Wild West era. Protagonist Arthur Morgan travels the map with the Van Der Linde gang, searching for the next big bank robbery to take care of his retirement to usher in a new age.

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Red Dead Redemption 2 and its Wild West Experience

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Gaming franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Assassin’s Creed have had a lot of success historically, and Red Dead Redemption has added to the impressive collection of games that allow players to live like outlaws. The track record of Assassin's Creed releases proved that titles set further back in time can find success in a modern market, and Red Dead Redemption has quickly become one of the most popular franchises in the gaming industry. Being a fugitive on the run from law enforcement in-game can give players a certain thrill, and the feeling is heightened when horses and cowboy hats are in the mix.

The first edition of Red Dead Redemption was set in the early 20th century, in 1911, and the release proved to be a massive success. Off the back of phenomenal critic ratings and fan reviews, Rockstar decided to make a prequel, taking fans even further back in time with the story of Arthur Morgan. Some would say this was a gamble, but it reaped rewards of epic proportions, as Red Dead Redemption 2 carted home four awards at The Game Awards in 2018.

Stunning gameplay is a prerequisite for successful games, and Red Dead Redemption 2 packed a punch in this department. Additionally, the sequel from Rockstar Games featured phenomenal writing, immersing players deeply into the story of Arthur Morgan and the challenges his gang face as they struggle to keep up with the times. The late 1890s saw the big boom of the Industrial Revolution, and the world of the Wild West in Red Dead Redemption 2 is changing right in front of Arthur Morgan's eyes, threatening to render him and the rest of the gang obsolete. The group hunts for one last heist to end their criminal careers in a blaze of glory, hoping to secure a booty large enough to set them for life, but runs into obstacles that throw wrenches in their plans.

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Hogwarts Legacy is Taking Gamers on a Journey to the Past

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The formula for a successful title set in earlier periods of human history lies in exceptional storytelling - something Hogwarts Legacy will have no shortage of. The Harry Potter franchise is one of, if not the most, successful media franchises in the world, branching out from the yellow pages of paper to the big screens in Hollywood. Although Hogwarts Legacy is taking fans further back in time than any of the Harry Potter books and even the Fantastic Beasts franchise, there is enough lore in both giants to carry over into the game.

Living up to such lofty expectations set by the books and movies is a tough challenge even for the best hands in the gaming industry, but there seems to be a general sense of approval within the community for the direction Hogwarts Legacy is headed. The early gameplay showcases of Hogwarts Legacy had gamers excited due to the level of detail in the game, and there is understandable enthusiasm for the upcoming full release.

The year Hogwarts Legacy is set in - 1890 - has significant importance in the lore of Harry Potter. Goblins and humans never got along historically in the franchise. Hogwarts Legacy's Goblin Rebellion is afoot in 1890, and it is led by the goblin Ranrok. The game gets its story foundations from this event, as Ranrok attempted to cleanse the world of all witches and wizards using ancient magic.

Despite the absence of cultural Harry Potter themes like Quidditch and Wizard's Chess and the lack of a multiplayer mode, expectations for Hogwarts Legacy refuse to wane. Setting the timeline in 1890 may have been a masterstroke on the part of Warner Bros., and it is only a matter of time before gamers have the chance to roleplay as a wizard in The Wizarding World. Games like Hogwarts Legacy and Red Dead Redemption 2 give a different perspective from the technology-driven titles on offer in the industry today, and more franchises may follow suit shortly.

Hogwarts Legacy launches on February 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, with PS4 and Xbox One versions coming on April 4 and the Switch version launching on July 25.

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