Racing in / Quidditch out -- Flying High in Hogwarts Legacy

I've been playing more Hogwarts Legacy, and I'm actually having a really good time. Last time I posted, I had a couple of comments about flying and Quidditch, so I kind of focused in on that feature of the game the past few play sessions.  As it turns out,. . . Hey! I'm not terrible at flying in this game! . . . And in a way it all reminds me a bit of all my time spent flying around in DC Universe Online.

Mastering the Basics of Broom Flying

In fact, in my small circle of friends, I used to be the go-to guy to help people earn their racing skill points in DCUO. Because of that background experience, I hereby declare that the mouse and keyboard controls for flying around in Hogwarts Legacy ain't too horrible . . . for me at least. *ducks behind podium* Did someone throw something at me? Anyway, yeah, I could see how this would be easier with a controller for sure.

First adhere your glasses to your face with sticky magic

The racing courses in this game are exactly what you'd expect: a timed trial where you ride your broom through rings in the sky, where you can grab power-up bubbles to make you go faster. It appears as if at the end of the course, you'll have either made the leaderboards or not at all.  I came in second both times on my first attempt.

Down the river and through the rings to grandmother's house we go

Between visiting racing courses, you'll also be doing quests for your professor to pop-the-ballon that have been placed around the map for you at various locations. Now, I don't know whose job it is to fill these balloons with helium and confetti and place them perfectly in the sky, but if it's a poor house elf, then I feel really bad.  (It's probably just conjuring magic though . . .) 

Playing pop-the-balloon after midnight

During the midst of it all, I did go buy my own broom, however.  I opted for the most expensive broom I could buy and bankrupted myself for a bit, but the purple lightning coming out of it was pretty sweet.  The proprietor, one Albie Weekes, even gave me some side quests to open up a special speed boost I could buy.  From what I can tell, there are two more boosts I could open up.

. . . and worth every gold piece! 

I asked my friend at work who plays the game (and to be honest, was the tipping point for me purchasing the game) if there was any actual Quidditch I could play eventually . . . and the answer was no.  Well great.  She did drop a pretty tasty rumor, though, and said (and I quote) "There are rumors that the game people are making a separate game just for Quidditch, but idk."  I'll take it!

Sorry Quidditch, you've been cancelled

She also noted that I really needed to work up my animal taming skills because I could end up riding a hippogriff or a thestral instead of a broom if I played my cards right. I don't know though . . . I don't have to brush and feed my broom . . . it just works. A thestral would be pretty cool to ride as a Slytherin, just sayin.

Happy Dueling!