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The Prince of Persia franchise has had a tumultuous history, with long periods of dormancy punctuated by sporadic releases. After a decade of silence, Ubisoft has finally resurrected the series with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a side-scrolling action-platformer that harkens back to the franchise’s roots while embracing modern Metroidvania elements. Does this new entry recapture the magic of the original while innovating for a new generation?

Reclaiming the Throne: A Blend of Old and New

Since its unveiling at Summer Game Fest, The Lost Crown faced skepticism from fans expecting a traditional 3D Prince of Persia experience. Instead, Ubisoft opted for a retro-inspired approach, blending the side-scrolling action of the 1989 original with the exploration and progression mechanics of modern Metroidvanias like Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Hollow Knight. This shift in perspective, combined with a vibrant, anime-inspired aesthetic, breathes new life into the franchise.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Rather than continuing Prince Dastan’s story, The Lost Crown introduces Sargon, a new protagonist tasked with rescuing a kidnapped prince. While time manipulation isn’t a core mechanic for Sargon, it remains a central theme, influencing the narrative and environment. The storytelling is surprisingly linear and easy to follow, delivering a compelling narrative with unexpected twists and turns. This linear approach seamlessly integrates with the Metroidvania gameplay loop, requiring players to unlock new abilities to access previously unreachable areas and uncover more of the story.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

The level design is a standout feature, cleverly blending familiar Prince of Persia elements with Metroidvania conventions. Wall running, ledge grabbing, and acrobatic maneuvers are back, challenging players to navigate intricate environments filled with traps and obstacles. While perhaps not as expansive as Hollow Knight, the map design surpasses even the acclaimed Ori series. A helpful in-game mapping system allows players to mark points of interest, ensuring they can easily return to unexplored areas. For those who prioritize story progression, a skip function allows bypassing particularly challenging sections. Conversely, hardcore players can disable all assistance features for a more demanding experience.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

The combat system is fluid and intuitive, relying on a single button for complex combos while reserving other inputs for special moves and ranged attacks. Mastering the parry mechanic is crucial, allowing Sargon to gain an advantage in combat and recharge his special attack meter. Boss battles are a spectacle, showcasing the game’s anime influences with dynamic and visually impressive encounters. These fights are challenging but fair, rewarding skillful play and strategic use of abilities.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Lingering Shadows: A Few Shortcomings

While The Lost Crown is undeniably impressive, a few shortcomings prevent it from achieving true greatness. The narrative, while engaging, suffers from underdeveloped side characters and unresolved plot points. Despite their contributions to the story, many supporting characters lack depth and motivation, leaving their fates ambiguous.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Furthermore, the soundtrack, while serviceable, lacks the memorable melodies of previous entries. The absence of a compelling main theme or any particularly catchy tracks is a missed opportunity.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Conclusion

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a welcome return for the franchise, successfully blending nostalgia with modern gameplay mechanics. While a few narrative and audio missteps hold it back, the engaging combat, clever level design, and vibrant art style make it a worthwhile experience for fans and newcomers alike. With a little more polish, The Lost Crown could have been a true masterpiece.