Surprisingly, Ubisoft has managed to successfully breathe new life into one of its classic video game franchises with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
The upcoming Metroidvania game, set to release on January 18 – although it’s available as early as January 15 via Ubisoft+ or with the Deluxe Edition – has impressed critics roughly a week ahead of its official launch.
The return of the Prince of Persia series, which holds a special place in gaming history, has been long-awaited, and early indications suggest that The Lost Crown will not disappoint.
Critics with early access to the game have offered largely positive reviews, praising various aspects of this new adventure. From the outset, The Lost Crown diverges from its predecessors, adopting a Metroidvania style that seems to have paid off. The game has been commended for having well-executed, tight controls, engaging combat system, and satisfying platforming mechanics. This blend of traditional and innovative elements has been key to its early acclaim.
Here’s all the scores that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has received from critics to date:
- Dexerto – 5/5
- GameInformer – 9.5/10
- Noisy Pixel – 9/10
- Press Start Australia – 9/10
- VGC – 4/5
- VG247 – 8/10
- GamesRadar+ – 4/5
- Inverse – 6/10
Ubisoft’s MO these days is to no longer try and be unique or stand out, but rather to refine existing elements and create a memorable experience with it. To that end, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a success.
Much like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, which took the open-world concept of Far Cry and gave it a next-gen touch – to some extent, Immortals Fenyx Rising did this too, which is a shame that it isn’t getting a sequel – Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown took the all-too-familiar Metroidvania gameplay and executed it well. Its platforming, combat integration, and stylish presentation, are all top-notch, covering what can only be considered a forgettable narrative.
Ubisoft Montpellier did an excellent job in what could define the future identity of Prince of Persia.
Despite the relatively lackluster narrative, the world and its surrounding lore, taking inspiration from both historical facts and myth, has added intrigue and depth to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Players will find themselves exploring the rich and vibrant world of Mount Qaf, navigating through intricately designed levels, and engaging with complex puzzles and boss battles.
Despite the positives, some reviewers noted areas for improvement. Classic Ubisoft bugs and some visual performance issues still exist, though these didn’t significantly detract from the overall experience.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown appears to have successfully rejuvenated a beloved series by marrying its traditional charm with new, well-executed gameplay mechanics. Ubisoft’s direction with this installment suggests a bright future for the franchise, potentially paving the way for further innovative entries down the line.
Perhaps, more importantly, it success is a positive sign for Star Wars: Outlaws, which may or may not be released later this year.
