The history of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and review

Gaming: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown review

Ubisoft Montpellier’s latest creation, the 2.5D side-scrolling Metroidvania, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, has descended upon Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. This challenging action-platformer, teeming with formidable bosses and intricate puzzles, demands strategic finesse.

Step back to 1989, a time of chunky joysticks and CRT monitors. Remember the original Prince of Persia on the Apple II? Its rotoscoped animation, revolutionary time-backtracking mechanic, and punishingly precise platforming captivated our imaginations. Now, within The Lost Crown’s Haven, hidden “Classic Chambers” lie in wait. Conquer these nostalgic challenges to unlock rewards and pay homage to the Prince’s humble beginnings.

But the sands of time shift, and our journey continues to 1992. The Master System and Mega Drive welcomed the Prince with open arms, his fluid acrobatics gracing their 16-bit landscapes. Remember the heart-pounding swordfights, the desperate leaps across crumbling towers, and the ever-present threat of the dagger-wielding Jaffar? The Lost Crown whispers their memory in the form of subtle homages and hidden secrets. Keep your eyes peeled, for the spirit of these bygone eras lives on within Mount Qaf’s intricate design.

This pilgrimage through nostalgia isn’t just a stroll down memory lane; it’s a treasure hunt for dedicated fans. Unearth the secrets woven into The Lost Crown’s fabric. Decipher ancient murals hinting at the events of The Forgotten Sands, a 2010 adventure that rekindled the Prince’s flame. Master hidden sword combos by vanquishing training dummies scattered throughout the map, becoming a whirlwind of steel honed by generations of acrobatic assassins.

To assist you on this captivating journey, here are essential tips to enhance your Prince of Persia experience.

1. Master the Chakram

Around one to two hours into the game, a pivotal moment awaits: the unlocking of a new weapon, a bow with a dual purpose—a throwable chakram. This versatile weapon serves various functions, from summoning platforms to opening gates. In combat, it acts as a projectile, gaining speed and strength with each parry. Utilize the chakram frequently to access resource caches effortlessly, making your collection endeavors less cumbersome.

2. Regular Gear Upgrades

Enter the forge of the fiery blacksmith, Kaheva, a divine figure in the hub area, The Haven. Kaheva, along with The Mage, another shopkeeper, plays a crucial role in enhancing your equipment. While Kaheva focuses on buffing the damage of bows and swords, The Mage can augment health flasks and fortify their healing potency. Additionally, both shopkeepers can elevate the effects of your Amulets, offering advantages like increased melee damage or reduced environmental hazard damage. Regularly return to The Haven to upgrade your gear; the challenging bosses demand nothing less.

3. Seek Wisdom from the Swordmaster

In The Haven, the swordmaster Artaban becomes a valuable mentor, imparting combat wisdom to hone your skills. Engage in his combat challenges, not only for skill enhancement but also to earn Time Crystals, a currency for acquiring goods and upgrading gear. These challenges, while straightforward, contribute significantly to your combat prowess, making you a formidable force.

4. Capture Memorable Moments with The Eye of the Wanderer

Embrace the innovative feature within the Metroidvania genre—the Eye of the Wanderer. This tool allows you to capture screenshots that serve as icons on the mini-map, easing backtracking. Instead of relying on memory, use Memory Shards to take snapshots, creating a visual guide for navigating intricate terrains. Embrace the convenience of this feature by snapping images and deleting them as needed.

5. Embrace Side Quests for Rich Rewards

Throughout Mount Qaf, you’ll encounter characters in need of assistance, presenting side quests that yield substantial rewards. Whether deciphering ancient texts or aiding locals, these quests offer currencies for shopkeepers, essential resources for gear upgrades, and the coveted Soma Petals, enhancing your maximum health. Embrace your role as an Immortal and embark on these quests—it’s an investment that pays off handsomely.

6. Leverage Guided Mode for Enhanced Navigation

Choose your preferred game mode wisely: Exploration or Guided. Exploration mode, the default setting, provides minimal direction on the mini-map for quests and side tasks. Conversely, Guided mode offers comprehensive assistance, populating icons for mission objectives, paths, and unlocked upgrades. Toggle between modes as needed, ensuring a seamless and guided exploration experience.

7. Tailor Difficulty to Your Playstyle

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown exemplifies accessibility in gaming. The extensive settings menu empowers you to customize your experience. Adjust parry difficulty, extend invulnerability during dodging, skip challenging platforming sections, and more. Find the perfect balance that aligns with your playstyle, creating a tailored Metroidvania experience.

8. Invest in Area Maps from Fariba

Meet Fariba, a repository of extensive knowledge about the cursed city. Fariba offers invaluable maps for sale, unveiling details about specific areas, including secrets and unexplored spots. Though her location may pose a challenge to find, the benefits of purchasing her maps far outweigh the effort. Investing a mere 50 Time Crystals in Fariba’s services is a wise decision for efficient exploration.

9. Strategic Backtracking with the Final Power

While the game encourages revisiting previously explored areas with newfound powers, exercise patience until acquiring the final power—the Fabric of Time. This grappling hook-like ability, obtained three-fourths into the story, simplifies backtracking by overcoming obstacles. Waiting for this essential power prevents frustration and streamlines your exploration. By the time you unlock it, your prowess will render challenges inconsequential.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Reviews

Ubisoft Montpellier’s Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown isn’t just a Metroidvania; it’s a time-warping, acrobatic symphony played on the strings of nostalgia and innovation. Forget the sands of time – in Mount Qaf, the very fabric of reality bends to the Prince’s will, creating a thrilling tapestry of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving that will leave you breathless.

Acrobatics Reimagined:

Gone are the wall-runs of yore; instead, Ghassan dances across the environment with a fluidity that’s both graceful and deadly. He vaults over chasms, grapples across canyons, and pirouettes around enemies with the swagger of a seasoned performer. Mastering this newfound agility feels like rediscovering a lost language, each successful maneuver a brushstroke on the canvas of Mount Qaf.

Combat Like a Ballet of Blades:

Swordplay in The Lost Crown is a mesmerizing dance of offense and defense. Parry, dodge, and counter in a rhythmic flow, punctuated by the satisfying clang of steel. The chakram, a dual-purpose bow and throwing weapon, adds another layer of strategic depth, letting you disarm enemies, activate platforms, and unleash devastating ranged attacks. Every battle feels like a carefully choreographed duel, demanding precision and timing.

A Metroidvania Masterclass:

The world of Mount Qaf is a labyrinthine masterpiece, begging to be explored. Hidden passages, secret chambers, and environmental puzzles reward your curiosity with breathtaking vistas, powerful upgrades, and a sense of accomplishment that rivals any boss fight. Backtracking feels less like a chore and more like a victory lap, a chance to appreciate the intricate design and unleash your newly acquired abilities on previously inaccessible areas.

Whispers of the Past:

The Lost Crown isn’t just a new chapter; it’s a love letter to the Prince of Persia legacy. Subtle nods to classic titles like the 1989 original and 1992’s Master System/Mega Drive gem add a layer of fan service that warms the heart of any veteran Prince. Discovering these hidden references feels like unearthing buried treasure, a reward for those who remember the roots of this beloved franchise.

Imperfect Gems:

While The Lost Crown shines brightly, it’s not without its flaws. The story, while intriguing, can feel a bit underdeveloped at times, and some platforming sections might frustrate less patient players. The occasional technical hiccup, like frame rate dips and minor glitches, also mar the experience slightly.

Verdict: 8.5/10

Despite these minor imperfections, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a triumphant return to form. Its innovative acrobatic combat, masterfully designed Metroidvania world, and charming nods to the past make it a must-play for fans and newcomers alike. It’s a game that sings with the grace of a desert wind, each challenge a verse in a thrilling epic. So, grab your chakram, don your sash, and prepare to be swept away by the magic of Mount Qaf. Just remember, in this timeless realm, only the most agile will claim the crown.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Conclusion

With each step, with each discovery, the tapestry of Prince of Persia grows richer. The Lost Crown isn’t just a new chapter; it’s a celebration of a legacy, an invitation to revisit the past while forging a thrilling future for the Prince. So, grab your chakram, don your sash, and prepare to dance through time. The sands of Mount Qaf await, whispering tales of daring escapes, forgotten civilizations, and a Prince whose legend echoes through the ages.

Embark on this epic adventure with these nine tips, bending time and defying death in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. As the story unfolds, with collectibles to discover and side quests to complete, may your journey in Mount Qaf be both thrilling and rewarding. Prince Ghassan awaits, counting on your prowess to navigate the enigmatic terrains that lie ahead.