Long before Assassin’s Creed became Ubisoft’s flagship, or rather the goose that laid the golden eggs, there was another license that made the French publisher’s heyday, both in terms of sales than prestige. This franchise is Prince of Persia, which has experienced two prosperous periods. The first in 1989, when it was born via Jordan Mechner, then in 2003 when the license was taken over by Ubisoft which was at the beginning of its artistic prime and which knew how to modernize this game with an exceptional approach. Unfortunately, by dint of pulling on the rope, the license sold out in 2010, especially since the Assassin’s Creed series had not only stolen the spotlight, but also transplanted some game mechanics to adapt them to its style. As a result, Prince of Persia is a license that no longer speaks to many people, at least not to young audiences, a bit like Splinter Cell. But at Ubisoft, we want and are committed to bringing the Prince of Persia back to the forefront. So how to do it? By limiting production costs already and aiming for a different approach. And why not try the Metroidvania, with a different hero, more authentic and at the same time in the era of time? All these good ideas therefore took shape in this Prince of Persia The Lost Crown which we were able to test 15 days ago for almost 4 hours. And you know what ? It looks very, very good.
The first thing I said to myself when I started my preview session for Prince of Persia The Lost Crown was that the game is very pleasant to look at. As you can see, there was talk of offering a 2.5D universe, Metroidvania style, to of course reduce production costs, but to attack the license from another prism. And very sincerely, I think it’s a success. Not only does the Ubisoft title allow us to reconnect with its 1989 origins from the time of Jordan Mechner, but also allows us to concentrate everything that makes a Prince of Persia game, namely platform, combat, puzzles to solve, traps to avoid and of course, big bosses to defeat. But before attacking the heart of the gameplay, let’s return to the visual aspect, which promises us many attractive landscapes. The developers at Ubisoft Montpellier did not skimp on the scrolling effects, with a certain depth in the settings, but also a lot of events taking place in the background. We feel this richness in the environments and animations from the start of the game, with these armies fighting in the background, all against a backdrop of a blood-red setting sun and teammates who will bring narrative consistency to this new story. history.
In 2023, our Prince of Persia is a mix that is both more authentic and modern, since we will embody a certain Sargon, with a darker skin color and therefore closer to the people of Mesopotamia. But Ubisoft Montpellier also gave it a little contemporary touch, very 2023, with this fashionable haircut, between rebellious braided locks and closely shaved contour on the sides. Add to that the good build of a super warrior, earrings, necklaces and knowing how to handle swords like a boss and we obtain a Prince of Persia who fits perfectly with our times. Sargon’s devastating look goes hand in hand with his physical abilities which allow him to navigate environments with great agility. Jump, double-jump, dash forward, parry, counter-attack, use of different weapons, superpower and power of time, all this will allow us to have a great variety in the gameplay possibilities. But like all Metroidvania who respects himself, Sargon’s physical abilities are not available from the outset and it is over the course of the adventure that we will unlock each mechanic and make both the story evolve, but also the environments in which we will evolve.
BETWEEN TRADITION AND MODERNITY
If Ubisoft likes to describe its game as semi-open world, I also find that the term is not well suited for this type of game, we are really dealing with a Metroidvania, with settings that we will have to travel through numerous times. repeated throughout the abilities that Sargon will obtain as he progresses. And this is where we realize the expertise and know-how of the Ubisoft Montpellier teams. No need to remind you that these are the developers of Rayman Legends, so they know platform games and this way of arranging levels, placing this or that trap to adapt them to the character’s skills and of his physical evolution, it’s sometimes genius, we’re not going to lie. There is Nintendo which remains the master in this area, but Michel Ancel’s team, who unfortunately left Ubi in 2020, are just behind in real life. The game brilliantly alternates platforming, combat and puzzle so that you never get bored, and very quickly, you come to understand the intentions of the developers in terms of game and level design. There is a certain sense of rhythm, a certain really pleasant musicality, to which is added more epic moments via the weapons and superpowers that we will unlock, but also through the numerous boss battles which will make you sweat like crazy. buttocks.
This is also where we understand that a good understanding of the timing, movements and possibilities offered by Sargon will give access to some really cool combos to create yourself. All of this is supported by a staging that is always well felt and dynamic, which never breaks with the fluidity of the actions. In short, very good work. In terms of scenery, the game also promises some surprises, notably with more natural levels, such as the forest that we were able to travel through and which offers a real breath of fresh air in the face of these very arid settings of Persia. And then, there is also this mystical side which will bring fantasy to the story, but also the artistic proposal, since this Prince of Persia The Lost Crown also promises to offer us a story that is at least interesting.
Better idea than entrusting the Prince of Persia revival project to Ubisoft Montpellier. With their expertise in the field of platform and action, notably thanks to Rayman Legends, the French studio reconnects with the origins of the PoP saga, while infusing it with what it needs of contemporary to adapt to the demands of 2023. Platform, action, puzzle, boss battle, this Prince of Persia The Lost Crown offers gameplay that is at once nervous, interesting and balanced, all with a Metroidvania proposition that suits it perfectly. We now hope that the pace will be maintained throughout the adventure, and we will have to wait until January 18, 2024 to find out for sure. At this stage, it’s already shaping up to be one of the very good games of next year. We’ll give you our final verdict when the time comes.