If you like spending time exploring the game worlds you play in, this is a game for you. But what else does it offer?
The first, and only thing so far, that upset me about this game was the camera. It takes quite some time to get used to if you've been playing games with a completely different camera setting. As you play more, the camera becomes less of an issue, and you'll understand it fine.
This bit hasn't really affected the game, it's just something that could have been in there; much of the story has been cut out. You'll soon find yourself jumping straight from the Dementor attack in Little Whinging to Grimmauld Place, and then straight off again to Hogwarts. This cuts out a huge section of the book, but they couldn't really have put much action into that part anyway. You can understand why they did it.
The gameplay is great. Explore Hogwarts in immense detail, finding your way around with the handy Marauders Map. Learn new skills, techniques and meet new friends as you make your way through the game. I'd say you'd really need to have read the book at least to play this if you want to know what's going on. That's not really explained in there. Or, if you get this game after watching the film, that's just as good.
The graphics are great - not as good as some of the other next-generation titles, but they're still great. This time round, the in-game characters really look like their film counterparts, and they have managed to get the school as close to in the film as possible. They've done a great job.
The sound can be split into two groups - voiceovers and background music / sound effects. The voiceovers are great, but some of the characters don't sound much like they do as characters in the film. The first one like that I noticed was Hermione, but maybe that's just me. The music, on the other hand, should appeal to people who have played the older Harry Potter games - some old music makes a return into this game, but sounds better. Not a lot of sound effects in the game, but the few that there are are good.
This game is great, but maybe not so great at the price of PlayStation 3 games. If you're willing to splash out more on it, go ahead. It's worth it when you're used to it. Your best bet, however, is to buy it cheaper online.