Games
Hogwarts Legacy: The ‘Chamber of Secrets’ remains closed to us for good reason
Certain areas of Hogwarts are closed to us.
The famous school of witchcraft and wizardry is a place full of mysteries, secret corners and dangers. This not only applies to the books and films about Harry Potter, but also to Hogwarts Legacy. We’ve already gotten a taste of mysterious dungeons and recognizable locations in trailers for the upcoming open-world RPG. However, after a leak we will not be allowed to venture into the dangerous depths of the “Chamber of Secrets”.
Warning, there are spoilers for the second book or second film “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”.
The basilisk is to blame
That’s what it’s about: Leaked pages from the official Hogwarts Legacy Artbook gave us new insights into the game a few days ago. For example, Quidditch should have been planned as a playable sport. On the other hand, another page reveals that we are not allowed to enter and explore the Chamber of Secrets. Probably the most important reason is provided by a text excerpt (via Reddit).
The art book says that at the beginning of development there were definitely considerations of incorporating the Chamber of Secrets into the game. However, there are said to have been too many challenges, which is why the development team decided against it. Probably the biggest and most obvious reason is the basilisk that lives in the chamber. The dangerous giant snake would inevitably present an enemy to take down. But since she’s after Harry Potter’s second year and his friends, that wouldn’t fit the story. At least she has to survive until then:
We didn’t want the player to think they could kill a basilisk that must still be around in 1992!
JK Rowling’s transphobia: The success of Hogwarts Legacy indirectly benefits Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who participates through existing publishing rights and the associated sale of the books. Rowling continues to be active in anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and actively supports anti-trans policies in the UK. If you want to find out more about the topic, you will find, among other things, here and here Additional information.
But beware! This is just an unconfirmed leak. Whether we can actually get into the Chamber of Secrets remains to be seen when Hogwarts Legacy is released on February 10th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. The versions for PS4 and Xbox One, on the other hand, will not follow until April 4th, while the release for Nintendo Switch is scheduled for July 25th.
More on Hogwarts Legacy:
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What is the Chamber of Secrets?
Located below Hogwarts, the Chamber of Secrets was secretly built by Salazar Slytherin, one of the co-founders of Hogwarts. The entrance is in the girls’ bathroom, which is also haunted by Moaning Myrtle. However, the Chamber can only be found and opened by a Parselmouth. These are witches and wizards who speak the language of snakes (Parseltongue).
Appropriately, the basilisk is a huge and poisonous giant snake living in the chamber, which also has a deadly look. If you look directly into her eyes, you die. In the case of indirect eye contact, for example through a mirror or through the viewfinder of a camera, the person concerned becomes petrified.
What do you think? Would you like to explore the Chamber of Secrets?
