Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review - All You Need to Know
The Prince of Persia franchise is one of Ubisoft’s most popular, counting on over three decades of fun and iconic experiences. After almost 15 years without a new title, Ubi returns with a new game to continue the Prince of Persia legacy on the latest console generations, with a renewed game style and art direction. But is it worth the hype?
This article will show you everything you need to know about Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown before buying it. Make sure to take a look at each of the aspects below to see if it’s a worthy successor and the right choice for your next gaming session.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review - All You Need to Know
The Story of Prince of Persia Franchise
Like almost every franchise that has been around for decades, the PoP series has had its ups and downs throughout history. Ubisoft’s adventure creation started in 1989 when it didn’t even belong to the publisher yet.
The original game was developed and published by a company called Broderbund, who chose the Apple II as its platform. It was a cinematic platform game very limited by the technology and ideas of the time, featuring simple graphics, animations, and gameplay.
But it was in 2001 when Ubisoft bought the rights to the franchise, making the impressive accomplishment of releasing one of the best adventure titles of its history with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Thanks to elements like great graphics, fun gameplay, and a better selection of platforms, the company released one of the best games of its time with more satisfying controls, new abilities, and the classic looks of the franchise as we know it today. This new identity lasted for numerous releases.
But after some years, Ubisoft stopped releasing Prince of Persia titles to open space for Assassin’s Creed, their newest fast-paced parkour franchise, with PoP staying in the shadows for more than ten years.
This finally changed with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, the latest saga release, and a breath of fresh air to the series. But is it a good game?
Review
Now it’s time to take a look at the main aspects of the new PoP title to see if it’s worth the hype and the main elements you should know before buying it. The title has tons of differences from what it’s used to, especially when compared to other games of the franchise, so make sure to analyze them before making any decision.
Here’s a complete Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review, along with everything you need to know:
The Story Has Its Flaws But Is Still a Good Experience
One of the most shocking elements of this game is that Lost Crown’s protagonist is not the same one we’re used to from the previous titles, like Warrior Within and Two Thrones. In this adventure, you’ll play as Sargon, a powerful warrior from The Immortals clan.
Renowned as one of Persia's mightiest warriors, our hero embarks on his most critical mission yet: to rescue Prince Ghassan, who has been abducted and taken to Mount Qaf, a sinister realm teeming with threats and enemies of the crown. Journeying to this cursed city, you must vanquish all who stand in your way and ensure the safe return of the Prince to Persia.
There are several moments in the story that elevate Sargon’s journey, making it fun and enjoyable. However, when compared to the other games in the series, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown lacks dynamism, and the story is very predictable, so you always know what to expect next. This becomes an even bigger problem considering the multiple times it feels confusing or the many aspects of the plot that still feel untold even when we finish the story.
It is far from being a bad narrative or an unoriginal game, but if you’re looking for the best storytelling with lots of twists and turns, the older PoPs might suit you better.
Impactful Characters
One of the traditional aspects in the series that is no exception in this one is the excellent character development. You’ll find more characters than in any other Prince of Persia game; each plays an essential role in the narrative its development.
Their relationship also works very well, making you feel part of the narrative. You can relate to the characters and feel close to them, creating a bond that lasts until the last minute of gameplay.
This was one of the most concerning aspects of the new game, especially when the players saw that they wouldn’t be playing with the same character from the previous titles, one of the most charismatic ones Ubisoft ever created. Even though Sargon is very far from being The Prince, which we’re used to playing, he is a likable character. He might not be as charismatic as The Prince, but his presence and how he conducts the story indeed help create an excellent immersion.
Completely Different Gameplay
If you’re used to the older PoP titles, this game will be completely different from those previous experiences. Ubisoft turned the once-action-adventure third-person gameplay into a Metroidvania experience that looks like Hollow Knight and other games of this kind.
Despite the completely remodeled gameplay and stylish look of the series, you’ll still find numerous aspects in common with the classic games, like the wall jump, mid-air dash, and many others; all of that, wrapped with tight and satisfying controls that make it fun to play, even for long periods.
It will definitely please Metroidvania fans and give us a glimpse of what to expect from the new era of Prince of Persia. It might look a bit jumbled if you’re used to the fast-paced combat from other franchise titles or even Assassin’s Creed, but if you try, you’ll surely like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s gameplay.
Great Controls But Few Mechanics
As expected from a game with Metroidvania elements, the control is precise and responsive, allowing you to make quick decisions and get the best out of your weapons when fighting enemies. It is the best game Ubisoft has released lately regarding this aspect, but at the same time, it is also one of the most repetitive in terms of mechanics.
You won’t find much variety in what you can do, even when you unlock a new power. There are the core mechanics of the gameplay, like double jump and the time powers, but as you progress through the game, you also unlock new ones that will help you through puzzles and even boss fights.
Even with this variety, the game can still be repetitive sometimes, especially if you are used to the classic titles from Ubisoft and the older saga. This impacts how long you play the game and how much you’re willing to explore the entire map for secrets and other rewards during the campaign.
Throughout my experience, I felt that The Lost Crown captures the essence of platform/Metroidvania games while including the elements that make PoP what it is. But at the same time, some stages can feel boring, and with a constant repetition of the same actions and same enemies.
Incredible Enemy Designs and Breathtaking Boss Fights
One of the highlights of the new Prince of Persia is the incredible bosses and their designs. It is mesmerizing to see the amount of effort put into each of them to make them feel unique and eye-catching in every scene.
If you like a challenging fight where you have to learn attack patterns and use all your skills to win, you’ll have a blast while playing this game. Each encounter is unique and will give you a hard time defeating these legendary creatures.
When it comes to regular enemies, the game also does a great job, offering a good variety and creative designs, whether when fighting creatures or humans. If you look forward to this when choosing your next game, this is a must-play for you.
These creative designs become even better in this art style chosen by Ubisoft for the game. The game becomes a fantastic art show with its saturated and colorful attacks.
Whether when it comes to the weakest or late-game enemies, every design is carefully projected, and the more challenging the enemy, the bigger the reward you’ll have.
Nice Art Style But OK Graphics
We can not deny that the art style created by Ubisoft’s designers and illustrators for this game is a true masterpiece. The landscapes and scenarios are nothing short of breathtaking, compelling you to immerse yourself in every inch of the map, captivated by their beauty.
But the graphics are nothing out of this world, especially when considering its price. It is expected from platform games and experiences of this kind that the graphics won’t be the most realistic ever and won’t directly affect how enjoyable the experience is. However, considering how much Ubisoft charges for the game, it is something to be discussed.
The game looks amazing, and you’ll love every scene of it, but don’t expect an AAA experience like in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla or Far Cry 6, for example. It has a more cartoonish style that really fits the game and gives it the fantasy look it needs.
Even though you won’t find the most realistic graphics in the industry, the game is still very fun and will keep you busy for dozens of hours in the first run. If you’re an art enthusiast like me, you’ll have a blast analyzing and appreciating every moment in this game.
The Price Could Be Lower
One of the most arguable aspects of this game is its price tag. Ubisoft launched the game at US$49,99 on the official platforms. It is considerably cheaper than other games launched by the company, like Skull and Bones and The Crew Motorfest, but it is also far from cheap. Is this price tag fair?
If we consider the overall gameplay and length of the title (25 hours if you’re a completionist), the price is still a little high for what it delivers, having the same price as titles like Resident Evil Village and being only 10 dollars cheaper than AAA games like Red Dead Redemption 2. The good thing is that you can find great deals for the game on online marketplaces and sometimes even on Ubisoft’s official website when it’s on sale.
You can visit our store right now and purchase your own copy of the game for a considerably lower price than Ubisoft’s store. Looking for the best deal possible? We also have something special for you.
You can also subscribe to our newsletter right now and get an exclusive 20% off code that you can use to purchase any game or software in the store. This way, you can play the new Prince of Persia for the cheapest price you can find.
Is the Game Worth It?
We reviewed each of the main aspects of the new Prince of Persia, but the question remains. Is it worth playing? Yes. Is it better than the previous Prince of Persia games? In my opinion, no.
The game sure has the DNA from the saga, and its art style can catch anyone’s attention. But when directly comparing it to other games like The Sands of Time, Warrior Within, or The Two Thrones, you still feel like something is missing.
The bold move of turning it from a 3D adventure game into a 2.5D Metroidvania gave it a breath of fresh air but also took away many elements the older players, like me, fell in love with playing the older games.
This doesn’t mean that it’s a bad game. It’s quite the opposite, actually. The Lost Crown is a great game with numerous successful moves from Ubisoft. If you like games of this kind or have never played a game from the series, this is the perfect chance to try it, and I’m sure you’ll have a blast playing it.
If you’re going to play it expecting something like the previous games from the saga, it might be a better idea to skip this one. Otherwise, you’ll be disappointed.
The best thing you can do is look for a good deal or wait for it to get on sale with a discount. It is worth gameplay, but not US$50 worth gameplay.
Where to Find the Lost Crown for the Best Price
We mentioned multiple times that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is not worth its price tag, so it wouldn’t be fair to finish the article without a good deal for those who want to play the game and save some money. There are numerous marketplaces and stores where you can find the game, but if you’re looking for the best price and service quality, there’s nothing like RoyalCDKeys.
We offer keys for over a thousand different titles, so whether you want to be the hero of Persia or an astronaut exploring new worlds, you’ll find everything you need for the perfect gaming session. It’s the cheapest and most optimized way to play all the games you want.
You can also check out all Prince of Persia games available on our website, so it’s the perfect opportunity to complete your collection if you’re a fan of the older titles. Make sure to visit our homepage and look at the most recent releases of the gaming industry for the best price.
Conclusion on the Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review
One of the most famous adventure sagas receiving a new title after over a decade is always good news for the players. Prince of Persia is one of the most influential franchises in the gaming industry and part of the reason why Ubisoft is such a big company nowadays.
The Lost Crown took everyone by surprise by changing the game's core elements while maintaining the DNA we know and love. From the Metroidvania/platform gameplay to the art style, every detail in this game will surely divide the fans. You’ll either love or hate it.
Even though the game has many highlights, it also has its flaws, especially when it comes to the repetitive gameplay and the not-so-intriguing story, but this doesn’t make it a bad game at all. It is still a fun experience, and if you like games like Hollow Knight and Ori and the Blind Forest, for example, you’ll surely have a great time playing this one.
Now that you know everything you need, it is time to hop on the most important mission of your life and bring the Prince of Persia back home. Use every weapon and ability at your disposal to ensure a successful result.