While Harry Potter is typically geared toward remaining child-friendly to a certain extent, a huge percentage of its audience are adults who grew up with the books. Harry Potter‘s video games haven’t focused on the elements of the IP that would be suited for more mature audiences, particularly when it comes to the First Wizarding War.
The First Wizarding War would be an incredible setup for a dark fantasy-style action RPG that dives deeper into the original conflict between Voldemort and Harry’s parents, and it would allow us to see how characters such as Snape developed into who we know now. Ultimately, it would be simply be fun to experience the darker side of Harry Potter lore in an RPG.
The First Wizarding War Is A Perfect Time Period For A Dark HP RPG
There Are Tons Of Dark Fantasy Elements Available In HP
The First Wizarding War offers a rich and untapped setting that’s perfectly suited for a dark fantasy Harry Potter action RPG. Unlike the relatively contained events of the original series, this era is defined by chaos, secrecy, and the collapse of trust within the wizarding world.
Voldemort’s rise to power brought an atmosphere of terror where no one was safe, and anyone could be an enemy. It’s a time when magic is more deadly, forbidden, and corruptible. This could provide the opportunity to explore the darker side of spellcasting, curses, and combat-driven gameplay while taking on the role of some of the antagonists in the main story. Playing as a Death Eater or dark-aligned character in a Harry Potter dark fantasy RPG would unlock a rarely explored side of the wizarding world, revealing the inner workings of Voldemort’s army.
This perspective could offer insight into how individuals were drawn into his ideology. Players could witness the twisted hierarchy within the Death Eaters, from inner-circle elites to reluctant followers trapped by Unbreakable Vows or family pressure. By infiltrating the Ministry, attacking Order outposts, or hunting “blood traitors,” players could experience the war’s brutality from the other side.
Missions could explore moral decay, internal betrayals, or moments of doubt, especially for characters like Regulus Black or even a young Severus Snape. It would give players a chance to see how evil takes root in the Harry Potter universe, understanding how it spreads and ultimately collapses.
A Wizarding War Game Could Feature Snape & Other Beloved Characters
This Is The Prime For Characters Like Harry’s Parents, Sirius Black, & More
The First Wizarding War also provides a rare chance to step into the shoes of legendary characters in their prime. Imagine playing as Severus Snape, torn between his loyalty to Voldemort and his love for Lily Potter, where every decision he makes is laced with emotional conflict.
Or you could take control of the rebellious Sirius Black, working with the Order while watching friends fall around him. Even Albus Dumbledore, already battle-hardened and politically cornered, could be playable during key story arcs, providing insight into his story long before Harry arrived at Hogwarts.
Another compelling opportunity to finally learn more about James and Lily Potter, not just as Harry’s parents, but as fully realized characters. What were their roles in the Order? What was their relationship with other key figures like Peter Pettigrew and Regulus Black? Exploring their missions, struggles, and ultimate sacrifice would give players a deeper emotional connection to the world they love.
Harry Potter Has A Ton Of Dark Fantasy Tropes To Build On
Death Eaters Would Be Perfect In A Dark Fantasy Harry Potter Game
The First Wizarding War is also a sandbox for creativity, with potential for new characters, secret missions, untold locations like hidden Order hideouts or Death Eater fortresses, and magical creatures used in warfare. As players align with different factions, confront moral dilemmas, or explore the Dark Arts themselves, the RPG could offer branching paths and consequences in true dark fantasy fashion.
The Harry Potter universe already contains plenty of great dark fantasy themes: death, betrayal, forbidden magic, and moral ambiguity. These are present in the canon, but never fully explored. Beneath the school-age wonder lies a world plagued by ancient curses, bloodline obsession, terrifying magic, and a society teetering on collapse.
An RPG is the perfect format to expand these elements, allowing players to engage directly with the darkness that shapes the wizarding world. The First Wizarding War, set in the 1970s, is the ideal time period to dive deep into this tone.
Voldemort is at his most terrifying, gathering Death Eaters and spreading fear. Players could confront ethical dilemmas, delve into forbidden knowledge, or use magic in ways that carry lasting consequences. The 70s aesthetic, with gritty robes, retro wizard fashion, and a pre-digital world, would add a unique atmosphere to the game, separating it from the cleaner tone of the books and films.
Through branching quests, morally gray choices, and mature themes, a dark fantasy RPG set during The First Wizarding War could transform Harry Potter into a darker, deeper, and more complex experience for adult audiences.
- Cast
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Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, Alan Rickman, Matthew Lewis, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Richard Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Alfred Enoch, Harry Melling, Gary Oldman, Robert Pattinson, Warwick Davis, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, David Bradley, David Thewlis, Katie Leung, Jason Isaacs, Imelda Staunton, David Tennant, Jamie Campbell Bower, Timothy Spall, Robbie Coltrane, Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Johnny Depp, Mads Mikkelsen
