Should I Free the House Elf in Hogwarts Legacy? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of whether to free Penny, the house elf, is a common one among players of Hogwarts Legacy. While the game presents a dialogue choice, it’s crucial to understand that the decision to free Penny is ultimately inconsequential. She remains by your side regardless of your choice, which might be surprising to players used to more impactful moral decisions in other games. This might seem disappointing to some, but it’s part of how Hogwarts Legacy handles certain narrative elements, focusing more on overall character development and player experience than branching choices in every situation. So, in short, don’t fret too much about this decision. Choose the dialogue option that aligns with your roleplaying preferences, but be aware it doesn’t affect gameplay or Penny’s presence. Let’s delve deeper into why this decision matters so little, and address some other frequent questions about choices and consequences in Hogwarts Legacy.
House Elves and Your Role in Hogwarts Legacy
House elves in the Harry Potter universe have a complex history. They are bound to serve, often without choice, and sometimes endure harsh treatment. In Hogwarts Legacy, you encounter several house elves, and Penny is a significant one. Your interaction with her presents an opportunity to align yourself with either the wizarding status quo or a more progressive stance regarding house elf rights.
The Illusion of Choice
Despite the dialogue options suggesting otherwise, your choice regarding Penny’s freedom has no tangible effect on the game. Whether you choose to present her with clothing, a gesture that would traditionally free a house elf, or opt not to, Penny will continue to assist you. This might feel like a missed opportunity for meaningful player agency, but it aligns with the game’s design which focuses on a broader narrative arc rather than micro-management of moral decisions.
What This Means For Your Playthrough
The lack of consequence around freeing Penny signifies a broader design choice in Hogwarts Legacy: many decisions that appear impactful are actually superficial. The game prioritizes exploration, combat, and the main story over branching moral paths. This can be a good thing, allowing players to focus on enjoying the game rather than worrying about making the ‘wrong’ choice. Therefore, with regards to Penny, choose the dialogue option that resonates with you personally, and understand it won’t change anything in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hogwarts Legacy Choices
Here are some related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to address other important decisions in the game and their consequences:
1. Does house choice matter in Hogwarts Legacy?
Yes and no. There are four houses to choose from, each with its unique common room and starting location. Aside from one unique main quest per house, much of the game experience is the same. The Hufflepuff house, for instance, grants access to an exclusive quest that takes players to Azkaban. But ultimately the game narrative isn’t significantly altered by your house choice.
2. Which house is the best in Hogwarts Legacy?
Hufflepuff is considered by many to be the best due to its exclusive quest to Azkaban. However, the best house is subjective and depends on your personal preferences regarding house values (loyalty, ambition, bravery, intellect) and your playstyle.
3. Should I charge people extra for quests in Hogwarts Legacy?
Yes! It’s always worth asking for more money after completing quests. NPCs might express minor frustration, but they will almost always grant you extra Galleons. There is no consequence for asking for more money.
4. Is there a point of no return in Hogwarts Legacy?
No, there is no point of no return in Hogwarts Legacy. You can continue playing after finishing the main story and complete any remaining side quests and activities.
5. How many endings are there to Hogwarts Legacy?
There are three endings in Hogwarts Legacy: a good, bad, and a universal final scene. These are available to all players regardless of choices made during the game. There’s no true in-game morality system, so your actions won’t lock you out of a particular ending.
6. Should I be good or evil in Hogwarts Legacy?
The concept of being truly “evil” in Hogwarts Legacy is more limited than you might expect. While you can use dark arts and make morally questionable choices, these do not significantly impact the main storyline. The game does not feature a deep morality system.
7. Should I choose Sebastian or Natty for the Hogsmeade trip?
This decision is largely inconsequential. Your choice impacts only the conversations during the Hogsmeade visit and doesn’t affect the overall story or outcome.
8. What should new players avoid in Hogwarts Legacy?
New players should avoid ignoring Merlin Trials, not asking for more money, skipping dueling feats, not using plants in combat, ignoring owl post messages, keeping unnecessary gear, and not using the transmog option. These can significantly enhance your gaming experience.
9. What is the least popular house in Hogwarts Legacy?
Despite their kind nature, Hufflepuff is statistically the least popular house both in the game and in the real world.
10. Can you go to Azkaban in Hogwarts Legacy?
Yes, but only if you choose Hufflepuff. This is exclusive to the Hufflepuff house quest, offering a brief but exciting visit to the infamous prison.
11. Can you be evil in Hogwarts Legacy?
While you can make morally dubious choices and use dark magic, you cannot become canonically evil within the story. There isn’t an ‘evil route’ that turns you into a Voldemort-like figure.
12. Do all houses have different quests in Hogwarts Legacy?
Each house has one unique quest. Besides that, much of the game is the same, so it is more about the experience of being within each particular common room.
13. Can you prevent Sebastian from killing his uncle?
No, you cannot prevent Sebastian from killing his uncle. This event is fixed within the storyline. The only choice you have is whether or not to turn Sebastian in afterward.
14. Should I betray Sebastian in Hogwarts Legacy?
Whether you betray Sebastian or not has no impact on the overarching story or even the friendship itself. It affects whether or not he faces justice, but the story continues regardless of your choice.
15. Will there be a Hogwarts Legacy 2?
Yes, a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy is reportedly in development. This likely means the development team is focused on the sequel rather than creating DLC for the original.
Conclusion
While the choice to free Penny in Hogwarts Legacy might seem significant, it’s ultimately an inconsequential decision. This reveals the game’s approach to certain narrative choices, where the overall experience takes precedence over individual branching paths. The game emphasizes world exploration, combat, and main story progression, and while player choice is offered, the impacts are often minimal. Focus on enjoying the magical world and don’t fret too much over minor decisions. Hopefully, this article and the FAQs have clarified the game’s mechanics and the role of player choices, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of Hogwarts Legacy.