Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a captivating Metroidvania that makes a triumphant comeback after a long break in the Prince of Persia series, merging some old stuff with modern game mechanics. It was developed by Ubisoft Montpellier and it’s like no other version before it since it leads players through the maze-like fortress of Mount Qaf where time itself suspends and archaic spells menace even the very fabric of Persia.
Platforming Perfection
At its core, The Lost Crown boasts an outstanding platforming experience that has been turned into perfection thanks to the 2D perspicacity found in this game. In place of some out-of-place camera issues shown in a few 3D entries, there are now accurate and responsive controls that always feel good.
Jumping between walls, swaying from one pole to another, as well as dealing with treacherous traps is just awesome due to control mechanics which are tight yet satisfying.
The design is a Metroidvania-style that allows players to come back to areas that were previously visited, they will find new secrets and unlock abilities that will make it possible to get into parts of the map before inaccessible.
This therefore encourages exploration because the players are rewarded for going through every bit of Mount Qaf. Memory Shards marking significant areas on the map accompanied by screenshots is a game changer, particularly for people who tend not to remember where exactly they have seen an item or ability.
Combat Depth
However, The Lost Crown’s combat system should not be dismissed either as the platforming takes center stage. It starts off easy with parrying being at its core and then develops into a deep system of ground strings, air combos, projectile combo extenders etcetera.
Amulets with distinct abilities hidden throughout the world aid in personalizing Sargon, your protagonist even further so that you can customize his skills towards your liking.
Using special energy generated from fighting Athra Surges can change an entire encounter in an instant [4]. For example, time powers collected along the way bestow Sargon with powerful abilities both during fights and exploration.
Bosses mainly take up combat which becomes extremely hard and thus players have to put into practice all their newly acquired abilities on.
An Imagined World
The Lost Crown’s world, though, is no less impressive. It’s a massive map with Mount Qaf at its centre that incorporates different areas with different feels and enemies.
From an underground pirate harbour packed with explosive charges to ambushes to the academy where silence is needed to avoid stepping on the feet of a towering overeager librarian who cannot see, the game features settings that are as diverse as they are unforgettable.
The art style of the game may not be everyone’s cup of tea but when it is in motion it looks undeniably beautiful with current-gen versions running at 120 frames per second smooth motion 4K resolution.
The backdrops and painterly environments are particular standouts despite the playdough-like character models being somewhat acquired tastes.
A Different Look at the Series
Although it may not have been meant intentionally as either a sequel or prequel for any other Prince of Persia game, this was intended to be a brave new direction for this series.
By meshing together some of the best things from past games – like captivating settings, elaborate traps, time manipulation powers and combat – into an immersive and ever-expanding world, you end up playing something that feels familiar yet fresh.
The plot is not a strong suit of the game, but it is engaging enough to keep players interested in Sargon’s quest to save Prince Ghassan from his captors.
Most of what makes their personalities stand out as well-developed but some are quite fascinating and show a nice change of pace from the usual fantasy tropes that Persian mythology presents.
A Challenging yet fulfilling experience
Note also that ‘The Lost Crown’ is not for weaklings or those with tender hearts. In addition, executing perfect jumps during boss battles requires repeating numerous complex attack patterns during platforming sections that come later on.
Although challenging at times, the reward lies in understanding its intricate systems and successfully accomplishing uninterrupted strings of acrobatics and attacks.
Nevertheless, there exist some ways for players to overcome these hindrances in the game. This can include unlocking new abilities which might offer new paths through Mount Qaf as well as weapon upgrades for Sargon / potion regenerations / switching amulets etc.
The game also offers a range of difficulty levels and comprehensive accessibility options which guarantee everyone can equally enjoy it regardless their skills.
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Conclusion
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a return to the franchise that we all know and love. Ubisoft Montpellier’s experiences have always been amazing – you could see it clearly in this game. It brings together all the characteristics that made the previous one stand out and still fits well into current genre trends.
In terms of story, it’s not its strongest suit, though in certain moments, there are some obstacles with level of difficulty; nevertheless great platforming, rich combat mechanics as well as beautiful visuals make up for any little flaws.
For fans of Prince of Persia or Metroidvania titles, The Lost Crown should be at the top of your list. It has been 13 years since a completely new game in this series was released and if this is what they want for the future, that would be great. Slap on those sandals, grab your scimitar and get ready for an unforgettable journey through the sands of Persia!
