Review: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown – A Fresh Adventure Awaits
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown may not revolutionize the metroidvania genre, but it’s one of the better titles to come out in recent years. Combining classic 2D and 3D elements, this action-adventure game offers a balanced mix of combat, platforming, and puzzles that never gets stale. Exploration is encouraged, and there are options to customize the difficulty, making it enjoyable for players of all skill levels.
Storyline
In Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Persia is protected by the Immortals, a group of powerful warriors led by Vahram. Our protagonist is Sargon, a member of the group tasked with finding the kidnapped prince, Ghassan. Throughout the journey in Mount Qaf, a land cursed with irregular time flow, players will encounter various challenges and face tests of loyalty among the Immortals.
Gameplay and Features
Platforming challenges are well-executed and satisfying in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Players can make use of innovative Time Powers to traverse the environment, access inaccessible areas, or strategize during battles. Air dash, double jumping, creating a phantom body double, and employing the Dimensional Claw are just a few examples of the fantastic powers at your disposal.
For those who struggle with these challenges, there’s an option for platforming assistance that creates portals to teleport through difficult areas. Though it may detract from the experience for some, completionists with limited time will appreciate this feature when backtracking.
Graphics and Sound
The Lost Crown boasts a vibrant art style with fluid animation, inspired by multiple sources, including Weekly Shonen Jump anime. The art creates a captivating world, while the sound design immerses players within its intriguing narrative.
However, the game does have some issues with the flow of combat. Boss battles with special attacks trigger mini cutscenes, which can be visually impressive but disrupt the pacing of the fight. Future iterations of the game should consider balancing visual spectacle with smooth combat mechanics.
Memory Shard Feature
One notable gameplay feature is the memory shard, which allows players to take a snapshot of an area and mark it on their map. This is particularly helpful for players to remember where out-of-reach treasure is or the location of locked gates, making it a fantastic quality-of-life improvement for completionists.
Constructive Feedback and Overall Impression
While Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has much to offer action-adventure fans, some improvements can be made in future versions. The aforementioned combat interruptions caused by special attack animations could be addressed to maintain a smoother battle experience.
Additionally, the game could benefit from further refining technical aspects such as camera issues and controls in certain sections. Implementing these improvements will undoubtedly elevate the gaming experience for players.
Overall, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown offers an enjoyable, immersive adventure with a fresh take on the beloved franchise. With its engaging storyline, innovative gameplay features, and vibrant graphics, The Lost Crown is a worthy addition to the Prince of Persia series and should not be missed by fans and newcomers alike.
