Well before Assassin’s Creed became Ubisoft’s flagship, or rather the Golden Goose, there was another franchise that made the French publisher’s fortunes, both in terms of sales and prestige. That franchise is Prince of Persia, which had two prosperous periods. The first in 1989, at its birth via Jordan Mechner, then in 2003 when the license was acquired by a Ubisoft that was at the beginning of its artistic prime and that was able to modernize the game with an exceptional approach. Unfortunately, by pushing too hard, the license was exhausted in 2010, especially since the Assassin’s Creed series not only stole the show, but also borrowed some gameplay mechanics and adapted them to its own style. As a result, Prince of Persia is a franchise that no longer speaks to many people, at least not to the younger audience, much like Splinter Cell. But at Ubisoft, we want and we are committed to bringing the Prince of Persia back into the spotlight. So how do we do it? By reducing production costs first and aiming for a different approach. And why not try a Metroidvania, with a different, more authentic hero who is also in tune with the times? All these good ideas have taken shape in this Prince of Persia The Lost Crown that we were able to test 15 days ago for nearly 4 hours. And you know what? It looks very, very promising.
The first thing I thought when starting my preview session of Prince of Persia The Lost Crown was how pleasant the game looks. As you can see, they aimed to create a 2.5D universe, Metroidvania-style, to reduce production costs, but to approach the franchise from a different perspective. And honestly, I think they succeeded. Not only does Ubisoft’s title allow us to reconnect with its 1989 origins from the time of Jordan Mechner, but it also allows us to focus on everything that makes a Prince of Persia game exciting, namely platforming, combat, puzzle-solving, avoiding traps, and of course, defeating big bosses. But before diving into the core gameplay, let’s talk about the visual aspect, which promises many stunning landscapes. The developers at Ubisoft Montpellier have not skimped on scrolling effects, with a certain depth in the environments and numerous events taking place in the background. We feel this richness in the environments and animations right from the beginning of the game, with armies fighting in the background, all against a backdrop of a blood-red sunset and teammates who will bring narrative consistency to this new story.
In 2023, our Prince of Persia is a blend of authenticity and modernity, as we will embody a certain Sargon, with a darker skin tone, closer to the peoples of Mesopotamia. But Ubisoft Montpellier has also given him a contemporary touch, very 2023, with a fashionable hairstyle, featuring rebellious braided strands and a closely shaved contour on the sides. Add to that a muscular warrior physique, earrings, necklaces, and the ability to wield swords like a boss, and you have a Prince of Persia that fits perfectly into our era. Sargon’s ravishing appearance goes hand in hand with his physical abilities, which allow him to navigate the environments with great agility. Jumping, double-jumping, dashing forward, parrying, counter-attacking, using different weapons, superpowers, and time manipulation – all of these will provide a wide variety of gameplay possibilities. But like any respectable Metroidvania, Sargon’s physical abilities are not available from the start, and it is through the adventure that we will unlock each mechanic and see both the story and the environments evolve.
BETWEEN TRADITION AND MODERNITY
If Ubisoft likes to describe the game as semi-open world, which I don’t think is a good fit for this type of game, we are indeed dealing with a Metroidvania, with environments that we will have to traverse repeatedly as Sargon gains new abilities during his progression. And that’s where we realize the expertise and know-how of the Ubisoft Montpellier teams. It’s unnecessary to remind you that these are the developers of Rayman Legends, so when it comes to platforming games, they know what they’re doing, and the way they arrange the levels, place specific traps adapted to the character’s abilities and physical evolution, sometimes borders on genius, let’s not lie. Nintendo remains the master in this field, but Michel Ancel’s team, who unfortunately left Ubi in 2020, is right behind them in reality. The game skillfully alternates between platforming, combat, and puzzles, so you never get bored, and very quickly, you understand the intentions of the developers in terms of game and level design. There is a sense of rhythm, a certain pleasant musicality, complemented by more epic moments through the weapons and superpowers we will unlock, as well as through the many boss battles that will make you sweat.
It is also where we understand that understanding the timing, movements, and possibilities offered by Sargon will grant access to some really cool combos that you can create yourself. All of this is supported by a well-executed and dynamic staging that never breaks the fluidity of the actions. In short, it’s very impressive work. In terms of setting, the game also promises some surprises, including more natural levels, like the forest we were able to explore, which offers a breath of fresh air compared to the arid landscapes of Persia. And then, there is also the mystical aspect that will bring fantasy to the story and the artistic proposition, as Prince of Persia The Lost Crown promises to offer us an at least interesting story.
