The Dilemma of Side Quests in The Witcher 4 and Hogwarts Legacy 2

Exploring the common challenge encountered by the next installments of The Witcher and Hogwarts Legacy franchises.
The Dilemma of Side Quests in The Witcher 4 and Hogwarts Legacy 2

Highlights

  • The Witcher 4 and Hogwarts Legacy 2 grapple with an abundance of repetitive side missions.
  • Both games need to reconsider the quality and quantity of side quests to enhance player experience.
  • Balancing engaging content with avoiding overwhelming players is a key challenge for developers.

As 2024 promises a slew of exciting game releases, anticipation mounts for titles like Grand Theft Auto 6, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and the highly awaited The Witcher 4. While The Witcher 4 is still in the works and set to build upon the success of its predecessor, The Witcher 3, there's a vital lesson that both it and a potential Hogwarts Legacy 2 might need to learn.

The Common Challenge

Overabundance of Repetitive Side Quests

Despite The Witcher 3's lauded open-world design and rich storytelling, an issue arises with the excess of generic white question mark icons littering the map. These markers lead players to a mix of meaningful missions and mundane tasks, overwhelming players with the sheer volume of content, potentially deterring them from exploring further.

Akin to this, Hogwarts Legacy also faces a similar hurdle with its 95 Merlin Trials, offering a mix of puzzles that, while diverse, can feel like quantity over quality, risking player fatigue.

A Tough Decision Ahead

For The Witcher 4 and Hogwarts Legacy 2, the challenge lies in finding the right balance. They must choose between culling the abundance of repetitive quests or elevating them to be more engaging and rewarding. This decision will shape the player experience, requiring developers to strike a delicate balance between quantity and quality to keep players invested.