Highlights:
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an action-adventure game released by Ubisoft in January 2024 as part of the Prince of Persia series.
- The game boldly presents a new Persian mythology-based tale featuring interesting characters, with Sargon as the protagonist.
- Some reviewers found the commencing hours slow and lacked the challenge and complexity encountered later in the game.
Persian Mythology Reimagined
In Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, players venture into a fictional Persian world that intertwines history and mythology. Unlike earlier series with an unnamed prince saving a princess, this game features Sargon as the protagonist. He leads the players on a quest to rescue the abducted prince Ghassan.
Though this game reverses the typical damsel-in-distress scenario, Sargon is not a prince but a man with a past shaped by a strict military upbringing from his tutor, Anahita. He possesses remarkable physical abilities such as agility and combat expertise, but intense anger drives his character.
Figures like the Manticore, Azhdaha, and Apaush appear in the game. Players can explore handcrafted environments like the Citadel of Knowledge and the vibrant Hyrcanian Forest with the inspiration of the Metroidvania structure. All these are inspired by Persian mythology.
Satisfying Metroidvania Gameplay
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown skillfully combines classic Prince of Persia nostalgia with modern Metroidvania gameplay in a 2.5D side-scrolling format, integrating exploration, backtracking, and gaining new abilities.
As Sargon, players unlock unique abilities throughout their adventure, unlocking previously inaccessible areas. Explore diverse biomes and face unique challenges in acrobatic combat against enemies and epic boss battles with a balanced mix of action and exploration.
Fast-paced and Engaging Combat
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown features a fast-paced and engaging combat system that keeps players on their toes where launching enemies into the air crucially prevents retaliation. Use basic and Bow-empowered air combos to keep foes airborne, with the Simurgh Dash enhancing these capabilities.
Combine attacks with Sargon’s dual swords, the Bow and Chakram, for different purposes like breaking shields or launching enemies. The Bow allows mid-air attacks but requires a charged meter. Experiment with combos and time powers for better survivability.
Stylish 2D Presentation
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown showcases a stylish 2D art style inspired by anime and comics, blending classic roots with modern elements. The game’s Persian architecture, vibrant landscapes, and dynamic animations immerse players in Sargon’s acrobatic movements through diverse, visually captivating environments.
Using a vibrant color palette and layered parallax effect adds depth and wonder to the world as players traverse through varied terrains.
Precise and Snappy Control
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown also excels in its precise and snappy controls, enhancing overall gameplay. The shift to a 2D perspective allows for more focused control as you guide Sargon with agility through leaping, climbing, and combat.
The intuitive and responsive controls keep you in command during parkour-like maneuvers and enemy encounters.
Platform Availability
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is available on several platforms to allow a wide audience to enjoy its enchanting gameplay. You can find it on the following platforms:
- PlayStation: Available on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.
- Xbox: Playable on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
- Nintendo Switch
- Available on PC platforms.
- It is also accessible on Amazon’s cloud gaming service vis-a-vis Amazon Luna.
Frustrating Slow Start
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown offers an immersive gaming experience, but some players found the beginning slow for various reasons. Some of the reasons include the following:
- The Prince’s limited abilities early on made the game feel repetitive and reduced the platforming challenges.
- The tutorial-heavy introduction delayed the action for players wanting immediate engagement.
- While the world-building was intriguing, some players found it slow-paced.
- Limited exploration options at the start due to the Prince’s lack of abilities made the world seem smaller and less captivating.
Confusing Narrative Presented
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is often criticized for its confusing narrative. Many users consider the following plot points confusing:
- Gamers find the time travel elements in the game hard to follow due to the limited explanation, which leads to unclear character motivations and time jump consequences.
- Backstory and lore are intricately woven into environmental details and collectibles, making it challenging for players to fully understand the story without actively searching for these clues.
- Some characters, notably antagonists like the Queen, lack fully developed motivations, resulting in seemingly illogical actions and player dissatisfaction.
Some pacing issues also include:
- Uneven exposition in the early stages may leave players feeling lost
- Some gamers criticize the rushed ending for not effectively resolving all the story’s mysteries.
Many Didn’t Get the Lost Feeling
While Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown received accolades for its gameplay and presentation, some players expressed that they didn’t feel the same “lost” feeling as earlier titles in the franchise. Let’s discuss this further:
- Previous Prince of Persia games like The Sands of Time created ancient, mystical worlds. The Lost Crown may not evoke the same magic.
- The game’s focus on character development and mythology can detract from the feeling of being truly lost, diverging from some players’ expectations.
- Fans of the original trilogy may feel nostalgic, and a fresh approach in a new installment can differ from their expectations.
Unremarkable Story and Predictable Plot
An unremarkable story and predictable plot is a familiar criticism of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Some gamers feel this way because:
- The kidnapped prince’s rescue plot lacks originality. It is similar to the damsel-in-distress storyline, even though the prince, in this case, is a prince.
- The mentor turning out to be the villain is a common twist, not uniquely done in The Lost Crown.
- Characters lack depth for emotional connection.
Relatively Short Playtime
- Completing The Lost Crown’s main objectives takes about 16½ hours, while achieving 100% completion can take around 30½ hours for thorough explorers.
- Due to the game’s non-linear structure, side quests are possible, yet the main storyline can be finished quickly.
- Whether you dash through the adventure or savor every detail, you can explore the mythological Persian world as a gamer.
The linear story with no secrets or collectibles may make it feel short and lack replay value. The side-scrolling format and focus on combat and platforming could disappoint fans of exploration in earlier Prince of Persia games.
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