Prince of Persia The Lost Crown

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a highly polished Metroidvania that successfully reinvents the classic franchise with fluid movement, engaging combat, and expansive exploration. The gameplay mechanics, including unique abilities like teleportation shadows and pocketing enemies, elevate the combat and platforming experience to a level comparable to top-tier titles in the genre. The game features a richly designed world inspired by Persian mythology with visually striking art and a fitting soundtrack, complemented by extensive accessibility options that broaden its appeal.

However, the experience is marred by technical issues, notably the mandatory Ubisoft Connect launcher, which causes frequent interruptions, bugs such as corrupted saves, and frustrating launch problems, especially on Steam Deck. The story, while decent, is considered underwhelming and incomplete by many players. Despite these flaws, the game is praised for its depth, challenge flexibility, and satisfying boss fights, making it a worthwhile purchase, especially on discount. The DLC received mixed reactions due to its punishing difficulty and removal of player abilities.

Highlights

Players praise the game's smooth and responsive combat system, which combines classic Prince of Persia elements with Metroidvania depth. The unique abilities and amulet system allow for creative gameplay and varied combat styles. The level design is intricate and non-linear, with numerous fast travel points easing exploration. Visually, the game offers beautiful backgrounds and stylish effects that enhance immersion. The inclusion of a Persian voice track and cultural setting is noted as a refreshing change. Many appreciate the game's accessibility options and save system that respects player time. Overall, it stands out as one of the best Metroidvanias available, with compelling platforming and boss encounters.

Criticisms

The most common criticisms focus on the intrusive Ubisoft Connect requirement, which disrupts gameplay with forced logins, updates, and crashes, severely impacting offline and Steam Deck users. Technical bugs like corrupted saves and clipping issues detract from the experience. The story is seen as underdeveloped and forgettable, with some plot threads left unresolved. Some players find the DLC frustratingly difficult and punishing due to removal of abilities and forced sequences. Additionally, certain platforming challenges, especially instant-death spikes, are considered excessively harsh. Exploration can become tedious for completionists due to backtracking. Minor complaints include generic character designs and occasional sound issues.