Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown is the primary main sport in Ubisoft’s beloved collection in a really very long time, so now we have to provide the writer some kudos for not enjoying it protected. Whereas a simple remake of The Sands of Time can be on the best way, this entry is a side-scrolling motion platformer with a Metroidvania construction. It concurrently calls again to the franchise’s previous and takes it in an attention-grabbing new course, and happily, the formulation works a deal with.
You play as Sargon, a younger warrior and the newest member of the Immortals, an elite group defending Persia from invading forces. When the titular prince Ghassan is kidnapped, you are ordered to deliver him again protected and sound. Nevertheless, the perpetrators lead you to Mount Qaf which, unbeknown to the Immortals or the enemy, is cursed; time’s linear path is fractured, resulting in all types of weird, paradoxical conditions. It is a neat setup that makes for a enjoyable narrative through-line.
The story is first rate and intriguing sufficient to see by means of to the top, however this can be a sport all about the way it feels to maneuver, and combat, by means of its intricate world. Ubisoft Montpellier is greatest recognized for the Rayman collection, and its strengths in side-scrolling design actually present up right here. Sargon strikes tremendous easily with snappy animations and tight, responsive controls. Equally, fight is slick, lethal, and surprisingly technical after getting all of your talents. All of it feels implausible, little question helped by the unshakeable technical efficiency and trendy visuals. Talking of which, we somewhat like how the sport appears to be like, but it surely does sometimes seem considerably dated if you see characters shut up.
Anyway, it is a good factor it is so satisfying, since you’ll be enjoying it for some time. Relying on how a lot you discover the large, interconnected map, you are something between 20 and 30 hours, extra if you wish to see and do every thing. As talked about, this can be a Metroidvania; by design, you may be wandering by means of its dozens of rooms, searching for each the trail ahead and hidden secrets and techniques. The map progressively opens as much as you as Sargon is outfitted with extra time-manipulating powers, that means plenty of backtracking to find new areas branching from previous territory.
There’s plenty of selection within the map’s design and in every location. Whereas a lot of the setting takes place inside an ornate citadel, you may even be taken to spooky catacombs, a forest filled with ruins, an icy tower, and lots extra. There are some nice environments in The Misplaced Crown, every one filled with hidden areas, challenges, and secrets and techniques. One draw back to a map of this measurement is that the backtracking inherent to Metroidvanias can really feel exacerbated. There are quite a few quick journey factors, however some areas nonetheless take some time to get again to — and the paths that take you there aren’t all the time a stroll within the park.
Nonetheless, it is an incredible match for Prince of Persia, a collection that has a historical past in lethal platforming gauntlets particularly. Finally you may acquire talents like a double soar, an air sprint, the ability to warp to the precise stance and placement of a previous level, and extra. All of those will trivialise earlier platforming paths, however from the start your expertise are repeatedly examined as you swing from poles, wall soar by means of spikes, and dodge whirring demise machines.
Fight progressively grows extra advanced, too. Not solely is there all kinds of enemies to combat, every bringing one thing new to the desk, however Sargon can utilise a few of his talents to get the higher of baddies. You possibly can set down a projection and use it to warp behind an enemy, for instance, or get one up within the air and use the air sprint to proceed your combo earlier than you contact the bottom. Whilst you have lots of choices, fight isn’t any joke, and even fundamental dangerous guys can knock you down for those who’re not paying consideration. Parrying hits is usually key to success right here, and the timing could be tough.
You possibly can complement Sargon’s array of talents by equipping amulets to his necklace. These present quite a lot of passive bonuses, like lowering incoming injury, or restoring well being with profitable parries. You can equip an increasing number of of them as you progress, and there are heaps to select from, so it is price experimenting to search out what works greatest. It is not too lengthy earlier than you discover a shopkeeper, who sells extra well being potions and extra, and a smith, who can improve amulets, in addition to Sargon’s major weapons.
It is price popping again to The Haven, a sort-of central hub, repeatedly to see what you possibly can put money into, since you’ll want all the assistance you may get. Primary enemies should not be underestimated, however there are greater opponents to face all through the journey. Boss fights punctuate the journey, with many on the primary path and a handful of elective bouts. These could be robust encounters, however by no means took us various tries. You are rewarded for enjoying these battles well — on the lookout for alternatives to parry, making use of all Sargon’s talents, and firing off a strong Athra Surge when the time is correct. On this sense, these are profitable bosses — exams of your expertise and pushing you to make use of all of your choices.
As talked about, a few of these fights are elective, which leads us onto the sport’s number of facet missions and collectibles. The map is massive and complicated, and each nook of it has one thing to supply — whether or not that is a bunch of time crystals (your forex for upgrades), a treasure chest containing a brand new amulet, or an attention-grabbing character with a process for you. Some facet quests will span the entire sport, whereas others are faster. Most are price it, although, rewarding you with sources, max well being boosts, and extra apart from. In addition they result in a few of The Misplaced Crown’s hardest fights and platforming challenges.
There’s loads on this sport, and finally that is nice, as a result of nearly all of it’s tremendous enjoyable and satisfying to find. Nevertheless, given the general size, we could not assist however really feel our enthusiasm lull a bit in direction of the top. A few times, it feels as if it ramps as much as the story’s climax earlier than supplying you with a brand new energy and sending you off on one other quest. Once more, a lot of the sport is implausible and value experiencing, however this can be a huge Metroidvania — particularly if you wish to do completely every thing.
Conclusion
Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown places its greatest foot ahead with rewarding and satisfying gameplay at its core. Combining the collection’ 2D previous with the time-bending powers from later video games, this Metroidvania is a superb mix that brings the franchise again in a recent new manner. Whereas it may possibly typically look a bit underwhelming, and the sheer measurement of the sport threatens to sluggish its personal momentum, the fluid, difficult platforming and fight are so enjoyable that any shortcomings fade into the background. That is an general nice motion journey with loads to supply.