Now that's an announcement we weren't expecting! At Summer Game Fest on June 8, 2023, Ubisoft surprised fans by unveiling a new game in the Prince of Persia franchise. Entitled The Lost Crown, it has been available on PC and consoles since January 18, 2024. This is the very first Prince of Persia game after a 13-year hiatus in the series. The game was presented in detail at the Ubisoft Forward conference on June 12, 2023, with two new trailers.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown represents a turning point for the franchise, presenting itself as a 2.5D game inspired by the Metroidvania genre. Players will embody Sargon, a seasoned young warrior and member of the elite group The Immortals, who will set out to rescue Prince Ghassan. The adventure will take place on Mount Qaf, a once wondrous but now cursed and hostile place. The powers of time and unique abilities to be combined in battle will help Sargon gradually discover the secrets of Mount Qaf.
Players will have the opportunity to discover a variety of environments inspired by Persian mythology, from the majestic Citadel of Knowledge to the colorful landscapes of the Hyrcanian Forest. They will encounter mythical creatures and others "corrupted by time" on their journey.
The Lost Crown is developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, known for games such as Rayman Origins and ZombiU. Ubisoft+ subscribers will be able to obtain the game free of charge on release. The soundtrack is composed by Gareth Coker, known for his work on the Ori saga, and Mentrix, a musician of Iranian origin who will combine traditional instruments with modern sounds.
Our review of Prince of Persia - The Lost Crown :
Playing time: 25 hours, main story finished
After a 10-minute preview that left us half-faced about the game's graphic quality (we'd played it on Switch too, so what the heck...), what do we think of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown...? ? Well, it's very positive! Graphically speaking, the artistic direction is particularly interesting, playing on the graphic/urban aspect, and it works. It should be pointed out that we played the full version of the game on PS5. It's very pleasant to look at, and the choice of AD is ultra-relevant.
In terms of gameplay, as we explained in our preview, you'll find everything that makes the license so successful - and so difficult, too - and that's just what we like! We control Sargon in a striking 2.5D universe, and we have to make our way through the labyrinthine environment, with its many dead ends, even getting lost, while fighting enemies who show us no mercy. Interesting gameplay, since this one goes further than the classic Prince of Persia, with more weapons: swords, bows and arrows, but also a little surprise that we'll let you discover when the time comes.
It's easy to get annoyed when you can't solve a puzzle that requires you to get from point A to point B, using the right combination of keys and perfect timing... And we love it! It's a real Prince of Persia speciality, perfectly reproduced here, just as in the old games, but with an ultra-fresh, ultra-modern touch that makes Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown a game in tune with the times, completely anchored in market reality. In short, it's a hit!
The story, for its part, is fairly classic in terms of what the franchise can offer, with the difference that here it's a prince who has to be rescued. As for the diversity of the map, it's a breath of fresh air, not locking the player into a single type of environment and gameplay for a single second. A very good point, since there's never a dull moment. Although the game's difficulty is still high (it's Prince of Persia, it's normal), we appreciate the possibility of choosing accessibility options in addition to changing the level. An accessible game, then, for seasoned players and beginners alike. We also appreciate the teleportation zones, allowing you to link certain points on the map, although you'll still have to make a long way from one point to another to reach the desired zones.
So many little touches for all types of players, making Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown a game we didn't expect, but needed (and didn't know we needed). The best compliment you can pay a video game... Go for it!
For other trailers, click here:
Dates and Opening Time
Starts January 18, 2024
Official website
www.ubisoft.com
