by Stormtrooper on Jan 17, 2024
After years of stagnation, the 'Prince of Persia' series, which had been mired in quicksand, is finally making a triumphant return with its latest installment, 'Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.' The series, which began its journey in 1989 with Jordan Mechner's groundbreaking title featuring fluid animations and death-defying leaps, had seen a remarkable reboot in 2003 with 'The Sands of Time.' However, it eventually lost its sheen, particularly after being overshadowed by 'Assassin's Creed' and a lackluster film adaptation starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
Now, after a 14-year hiatus, Ubisoft Montpellier brings us 'The Lost Crown,' a game that harks back to the original's two-dimensional roots and abandons the continuity established by 'The Sands of Time.' This bold step seems to have paid off, establishing 'The Lost Crown' as a pinnacle of 2D action platforming and arguably 2024's first must-play game. However, be warned: its challenging difficulty level is not for the faint-hearted.
In 'The Lost Crown,' players step into the shoes of Sargon, the youngest member of the elite Persian warriors known as the Immortals. The story quickly unfolds with the kidnapping of Prince Ghassan, leading Sargon on a treacherous journey to the mystical Mount Qaf. The narrative, while not the most coherent, serves its purpose by unleashing players into a sprawling map filled with both human and supernatural adversaries.
The game's mechanics are a nod to the 1989 original, offering a nonlinear adventure that encourages exploration and puzzle-solving. Players will encounter locked doors and unreachable platforms, requiring them to backtrack and unlock new abilities to progress. Sargon's skills, which include running, sliding, leaping, and expert swordsmanship, are vital for navigating the game's complex geography and battling enemies.
One of the game's standout features is its combat system, where perfectly timed parries trigger counterattacks with a visually striking, comic book-like flair. As the game progresses, Sargon gains new abilities, including air dashes and double jumps, further enriching the gameplay experience.
'The Lost Crown' is not just about combat; it also incorporates intricate puzzle elements. Players might find themselves creating multiple clones of Sargon to solve puzzles, or figuring out precise sequences of jumps to evade traps. These challenges, while rewarding, can also be frustrating, especially for newcomers.
The game's sprawling map can be daunting, with significant backtracking required at times. However, the inclusion of accessibility options, such as customizable difficulty and the ability to skip challenging traps, makes the game more approachable for a wider audience. Additionally, the novel feature of attaching screenshots to the map aids in navigation and planning.
Visually, the game is a mixed bag. While some areas, like a frozen storm at sea, showcase the game's potential for stunning visuals, many levels suffer from a lack of visual variety, often resorting to mundane settings like prisons and sewers.
'Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown' is a game that demands patience and perseverance, appealing to fans of challenging platformers like 'Celeste' or classic 'Castlevania' titles. It marks a significant and successful revival for the 'Prince of Persia' franchise, indicating a bright future for the series and the gaming landscape in 2024.