Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Receives Critical Acclaim as a Metroidvania Classic

The latest installment in the Prince of Persia series, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, has been met with widespread acclaim and has solidified its position as a remarkable Metroidvania classic.

In this iteration, players will not assume the role of the Prince of Persia himself. Instead, they embark on an adventure as Sargon, one of the seven Immortals who safeguard Persia, its Queen Thomyris, and Prince Ghassan. The journey takes place in the intricate labyrinth of Mount Qaf, where players will become intimately familiar with its various biomes, secrets, shortcuts, and safe havens during their approximately 21-hour playthrough.

The visually stunning game boasts a smooth 120 frames per second and a 4K resolution on current-gen consoles. Though the art style may not be universally adored, the seamless animation and picturesque environments are undeniable.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown showcases a combat system that starts off simple, relying heavily on parrying, but gradually evolves into a complex and rewarding experience. Players can unleash extended ground attacks, air combos, projectile combo extenders, fast dash-kicks, and more. Hidden amulets with unique properties are scattered throughout the game, offering further customization options for Sargon. Additionally, the game features Athra Surges that can turn the tide of encounters and time powers that grant powerful abilities for both combat and exploration.

The platforming in The Lost Crown is impeccably designed, with quick respawning and instant resets that eliminate frustration. Players will find that each challenging platforming section offers valuable rewards, such as rare currency, health upgrades, or even miniboss battles.

Ubisoft Montpellier has gone above and beyond to provide a rich suite of accessibility options that allow players to fine-tune their experience. From adjusting the parry window timing to altering the amount of health taken from and dealt to enemies, players have the freedom to customize their gameplay. The inclusion of portals that bypass platforming sections and a convenient Memory Shard system for tracking progress are also noteworthy features.

While the story may occasionally take a backseat, The Lost Crown’s gameplay hooks players from start to finish. Its engrossing combat, seamless platforming, and satisfying progression make it a standout entry in the Metroidvania genre.