Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the newest entry in the long-running franchise. After learning more about it at the Ubisoft Forward, I got to go hands-on with the upcoming title as part of Summer Game Fest. The Lost Crown moves the series in an exciting new direction with its 2D side-scrolling action, coming to all platforms in 2024.
A New Player Enters the Adventure
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has players take up the blade as Sargon — the freshest member of a crew called The Immortals. When Persia’s Prince goes MIA, it’s up to Sargon to traverse the dangerous 9th-century kingdom to rescue the deposed royal. While we all know the character from the Ubisoft series, this new hero has many assets to enjoy.
With his cartoon-inspired style, flowing locks, and cocky attitude, Sargon oozes swagger. But who is this new pretty boy? For Prince of Persia fans, playing as an unknown rather than the Prince himself may be a tough pill to swallow, but from what I played, I am at peace with what Sargon brings to the series. He is a shift the series needed and gives new players an entry point that is a bit less weighed down by franchise history.
Easily the most shocking change is The Lost Crown’s giant kingdom ripe for exploration. Ubisoft is taking a cue from Metroid and Castlevania, delivering an interconnected 2D map bursting with areas to discover. While similar to the early 2D installments in the series, this take on the formula gives players plenty of options in how they take on the quest.
From cursed cities to mythical Mount Qaf, Sargon must backtrack, find hidden paths, and platform like a pro to rescue Persia’s Prince. With a need for exploration over linear action, this represents a controversial pivot for Prince of Persia players. That being said, Ubisoft has done an amazing job of making the game feel fresh.
Parkour Platforming
Sargon wall runs, double jumps, and slides with finesse. Much like the Metroidvania-style games before it, this title is all about exploration and doing so in style, and I have to say the developers do not disappoint.
The platforming seems super-responsive and challenging, so much so that I died repeatedly. If you can’t stomach the platforming punisher of games like Symphony of the Night or Dead Cells, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is punishing, but it looks so good.
The Lost Crown lets you unleash Sargon’s inner badass with slice-and-dice combat that is oh-so-satisfying to play. Parrying enemy attacks with perfect timing triggers stylish, over-the-top critical strikes. While the demo I tried was limited, I got to try to take down a few baddies, including skeletons, fallen soldiers, and boss battles I am trying to repress.
Along with a sword, Sargon packs a bow and specialized throwing rings providing ranged options. With skills to upgrade and talismans augmenting abilities, the combat appears varied and strategic.
To acknowledge the Sands of Time trilogy, The Lost Crown lets Sargon manipulate time in minor ways. He can drop time shadows to warp back to previously visited spots instantly. Compared to stopping time completely, this feels like a scaled-back take on Prince of Persia’s signature time magic. While it brings a welcome touch that made the game feel more in line with what I was expecting, it may be a bit lacking for lovers of the older titles.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown may break away from the series tradition, but it does so with such style and attention to detail it is hard not to be excited. With Sargon as its charming new hero and revamped Metroidvania framework, The Lost Crown seems to honor Prince of Persia’s legacy while breathing new life into the series. You can judge for yourself when Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown launches in January 2024.
