The 4 best and 4 worst things about 'Hogwarts Legacy,' according to a 'Harry Potter' fan and gamer

If, like me, you grew up reading and watching "Harry Potter," you'll no doubt have wished you could be transported to the wizarding world to take a look around for yourself.

"Hogwarts Legacy" lets you do just that.

As well as being able to explore every inch of the castle, which has been replicated in breathtaking detail, you can also visit (whether on foot, by broom, or Hippogriff) the picturesque village of Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and numerous other new and exciting locations. At one point, you'll even get to take a short trip to Azkaban prison.

The world isn't as big as in some other open-world games like "Skyrim" or "Grand Theft Auto V," but is beautiful and filled with character. Exploring it is a real treat and will keep you occupied long after the main story is complete.

The main story of "Hogwarts Legacy" is a thrill and as such, you'll never want to miss a moment.

Unlike in most games, however, you can't pause cutscenes in "Hogwarts Legacy," meaning if somebody knocks at the door, or you just simply want a quick breather, you'll either have to wait it out or miss some of the dialogue.

It's more frustrating than anything, but it's definitely an oversight from the developer.

The combat system in "Hogwarts Legacy" is excellent.

There are tons of spells to learn and master, from Expelliarmus to Avada Kedavra, while you can even use plants and potions to your advantage in battle.

The controls take a little getting used to as there is so much variation in the way you can fight, but once you've grasped it, you'll have endless hours of fun throwing thieves, petrifying poachers, and grappling goblins.

When you pay over $90 for a game, the last thing you expect is for there to be glitches in the graphics.

Sadly, during my playthrough of "Hogwarts Legacy," I noticed few. A bit like being unable to pause cutscenes, the glitches don't deter from the gameplay itself, but are disappointing to see and take away from of game's magic when they happen.

Almost everything about your character can be customized in "Hogwarts Legacy."

When creating your character at the start of the game, there are plenty of options to pick how you look, from your skin color to your haircut. You can even choose the way you sound.

As the game goes on, there are then countless (and I mean countless) pieces of clothing — hats, cloaks, gloves, and even glasses — to collect and try out, each with their own styles and abilities.

What's more, you can even customize your broom and wand when you get them, as well as the Room of Requirement, which you can furnish any way you see fit.

As mentioned, there are lots of items to collect and wear in "Hogwarts Legacy," but doing so can be a pain at times because of the limited bag space your character has.

As I roamed the world collecting gear, I often found myself either having to "destroy" old stuff or run to a shop to sell it in order to make room for new stuff.

The only way to increase the space in your bag is by completing "Merlin Trials" which are dotted around the map, but these are sometimes dependent on your progress in the story and, if honest, not all that fun.

"Hogwarts Legacy" is unlike any other wizarding world game before in that it occurs completely away from the timeline of "Harry Potter."

Though there are references to Harry and the other characters from the books and films throughout — for example, Hogwarts headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black, who is an ancestor of Sirius Black — the main story is a new and exciting adventure.

Most importantly, you are experiencing it as your own wizard rather than just playing in the shoes of Potter, allowing you to fulfill your own dream of attending Hogwarts.

Though the open world of "Hogwarts Legacy" is vast and detailed for the most part, its dungeons and caves aren't.

The map points out said locations, hinting that there must be something exciting for you to go and find. But when you arrive, more often than not, you're met with a short, singular tunnel that has just one loot chest at the end, usually containing a clothing item of some description.

The game makes up for its lackluster dungeons and caves in other ways, such as its various side quests, but it would have been nice to be able to explore the underground the way you can in "Skyrim," for example.

"Hogwarts Legacy" is out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.