Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review

I have to say that I like a lot “The Lost Crown” and what it stands for, so I may be a little positively biased towards the game. Ubisoft’s revival of Prince of Persia, a franchise that seemed to slowly disappear in insignificance, takes you beyond dusty daggers and pixelated parkour, plunging you headfirst into an immersive Metroidvania experience that’s both nostalgic and refreshing. Besides the exploration of linear levels, it seems to be a lot more. Now there is an expansive world begging to be discovered with hidden secrets throughout and combat embedded in virtually every situation.

A Return to Sands of Time’s Glory?

But does “The Lost Crown” truly restore Sands of Time’s former glory, considering how much time passed without anything worth noting in the franchise’s development? “Sands of Time” was a success for PS3 and Xbox 360 back in… wait for it… 2003! Or, to use a metaphor related to the story of this action-adventure game, is “The Lost Crown” an illusion in a desert hotbed? Read further and you will find out why you should buy Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Stay tuned “Sands of Time” veterans — long-time fans of the Prince of Persia: we’re in for an entertaining ride that veers between praise and criticism.

High Replayability and Optimal Hack ‘n Slash Combat Experience

Before looking at the gameplay itself, one needs only consider the high playability of “The Lost Crown” — smooth, satisfying, and every ability unlocked seems like a gift, not oppression, so as far as replayability is concerned, this is a solid option in which one will sink many hours. Combat has also changed significantly (magic or sci-fi?), now employing “time manipulation” techniques. One will easily discover the improved dodging skills instead of button mashing of past releases. As far as you buy Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown for this aspect, you’ll have an optimal combat experience throughout the game, even if somewhat repetitive. I want you to imagine having to rewind time mid-attack to move into a better position or slow an enemy strike before counterblow for a devastating counterstrike — this is “time manipulation” at work. All in all, it adds a unique flavor to the Metroidvania genre and makes it truly stand out in its category.

Beginner Friendly or Just Predictable?

But be careful because it is not all prasies. While the core mechanics may shine, cracks begin to appear sadly… I mentioned the repetitive combat experience that is not at the level expected, with a low enemy variety that makes it feel scarcer than desired. Also, in an age when AI is ubiquitous and well, this game’s AI often falls into predictable patterns that make combat repetitious. Did developers want to be simple to beat, and friendly with beginners? Because the boss battles lack the epic scale and punishing difficulty that a fan of the series would hope for. Very soon, most fights will tend to devolve into predictable dodges and counters with “time manipulation.” Even if it’s not button-smashing, “The Lost Crown” often feels even less strategic than quick-time events.

A Story Fitting the Journey

Let’s get into the story now. Normally, you won’t expect something important here from a Metroidvania. Still, the latest Prince of Persia made huge steps forward here. Unlike its forgettable predecessors, “The Lost Crown” crafts an unexpectedly compelling narrative. While not quite Shakespearean in scale or scope, if you normally buy Xbox adventure games, you will be satisfied here. Its palace intrigue, with all of its twists and betrayals, again unexpected from the genre, kept me guessing and engaged me deeply with Sargon’s journey. At times, it looks like an exceptional cinematic experience in an otherwise shallow genre that may seem less prone to innovation and creativity.

A Very Liked Metroidvania-Fied Adventure

But herein lies the challenge as I see it: does this “Metroidvania-fied” Prince of Persia feel right? Judging by the reviews, it seems that the positives are far more evident to players and critics alike than the negatives. To give an example, on Metacritic, at the time of the writing, “The Lost Crown” had 98% positive feedback from users and a Metascore of 86 (for PlayStation). I can see how some might see this transformation as a sacrilegious departure from its roots but they must be very few and quite purist. For me and most of the players seemingly, it feels more like an inspiring reinvention that breathes new life into an otherwise stagnating franchise.

“The Lost Crown” — Not Your Common Prince of Persia

“The Lost Crown” is mostly a positive experience, especially judging with an eye to how Metroidvania games are usually. This Prince of Persia is a child of this time, visually appealing, boasting innovative mechanics, and offering quite an engaging narrative. These are its strong points. However, repetitive enemy AI and predictable boss battles keep it from real greatness. As for the questions regarding its identity as a Metroidvania game, I won’t be bothered at all. Maybe “The Lost Crown” is not truly a return to form as some may have expected but this would not stop them from getting it. No, if you buy Xbox games, keep an eye on this one as it might provide those looking for an alternate Prince of Persia experience something as unexpected as memorable. Just don’t expect this action-adventure game to look and feel the same way you remember if you played it back in the day.