Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown is the primary main sport in Ubisoft’s beloved sequence in a really very long time, so we now have to offer the writer some kudos for not enjoying it secure. Whereas an easy remake of The Sands of Time can be on the way in which, 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 luckily, the components 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 carry him again secure and sound. Nonetheless, 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 respectable and intriguing sufficient to see by way of to the tip, however this can be a sport all about the way it feels to maneuver, and battle, by way of its intricate world. Ubisoft Montpellier is greatest identified for the Rayman sequence, 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 improbable, little question helped by the unshakeable technical efficiency and classy visuals. Talking of which, we reasonably like how the sport appears to be like, but it surely does sometimes seem considerably dated whenever 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 taking a look at something between 20 and 30 hours, extra if you wish to see and do all the things. As talked about, this can be a Metroidvania; by design, you will be wandering by way of its dozens of rooms, looking for each the trail ahead and hidden secrets and techniques. The map step by step opens as much as you as Sargon is outfitted with extra time-manipulating powers, which means a number of backtracking to find new areas branching from previous territory.
There’s a number of selection within the map’s design and in every location. Whereas a lot of the setting takes place inside an ornate citadel, you will 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 at all times a stroll within the park.
Nonetheless, it is an important match for Prince of Persia, a sequence that has a historical past in lethal platforming gauntlets particularly. Finally you will acquire talents like a double soar, an air sprint, the facility 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 abilities are frequently examined as you swing from poles, wall soar by way of spikes, and dodge whirring demise machines.
Fight step by step grows extra complicated, too. Not solely is there all kinds of enemies to battle, 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 a variety of choices, fight isn’t any joke, and even fundamental unhealthy 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 a wide range of passive bonuses, like lowering incoming injury, or restoring well being with profitable parries. You’ll equip an increasing number of of them as you progress, and there are heaps to select from, so it is price experimenting to seek 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 important weapons.
It is price popping again to The Haven, a sort-of central hub, frequently to see what you’ll be able to put money into, since you’ll want all the assistance you will get. Primary enemies should not be underestimated, however there are larger opponents to face all through the journey. Boss fights punctuate the journey, with many on the primary path and a handful of optionally available bouts. These could be robust encounters, however by no means took us various tries. You are rewarded for taking part in these battles neatly — in search of alternatives to parry, making use of all Sargon’s talents, and firing off a strong Athra Surge when the time is true. On this sense, these are profitable bosses — checks of your abilities and pushing you to make use of all of your choices.
As talked about, a few of these fights are optionally available, which leads us onto the sport’s number of facet missions and collectibles. The map is giant 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 activity for you. Some facet quests will span the entire sport, whereas others are faster. Most are price it, although, rewarding you with assets, max well being boosts, and extra apart from. Additionally they result in a few of The Misplaced Crown’s hardest fights and platforming challenges.
There’s so much on this sport, and in the end that is nice, as a result of the vast majority of it’s tremendous enjoyable and satisfying to find. Nonetheless, given the general size, we could not assist however really feel our enthusiasm lull a bit in direction of the tip. 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 improbable and price experiencing, however this can be a massive Metroidvania — particularly if you wish to do completely all the things.
Conclusion
Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown places its greatest foot ahead with rewarding and satisfying gameplay at its core. Combining the sequence’ 2D previous with the time-bending powers from later video games, this Metroidvania is an excellent mix that brings the franchise again in a recent new means. Whereas it might probably 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 total nice motion journey with so much to supply.
