Ubisoft is continuing its string of successes, releasing a free demo of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and building momentum ahead of the game’s full launch on January 18th.
With critics praising The Lost Crown, this move, which offers a playable segment of the game before its release, harks back to a time when such practices were more common, with the original Prince of Persia game even having a shareware version. In contrast to the industry trend of charging for unfinished “Early Access” games, Ubisoft’s free demo highlights a consumer-friendly approach that will earn more positive attention ahead of launch.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown marks the revival of Ubisoft’s cherished action-platforming series, introducing the new generation of gamers to the Prince’s adventures. Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, known for the acclaimed Rayman Legends and Rayman Origins, the new installment promises a Metroidvania-style quest filled with side-scrolling combat and platform action.
The demo, offering a glimpse into the game’s world and mechanics, has been described as a hand-picked experience, featuring selectively chosen sections from the game. These segments include early unlocks of time powers and amulets, showcasing the primary gameplay features while preserving the story’s intrigue.
The early response to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is positive, with reviewers praising its polished gameplay and the joy of navigating its intricate platforming challenges. The combat, primarily melee-based, is highlighted as both fast-paced and challenging, suggesting a game that is both engaging and demanding.
The free demo, available across multiple platforms including PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Epic Games and the Ubisoft Store), is a unique opportunity for players to experience The Lost Crown before its official release. Notably though, the demo is not available on Amazon Luna, and progress made in the demo won’t carry over to the full game. This approach allows players to familiarize themselves with the new take on the series, determining if the full game aligns with their interests.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the latest addition to a franchise that has evolved over the years, from its 2D origins to 3D titles since 2003. With The Lost Crown, the series enters the realm of Metroidvania, offering a fresh perspective to both modern and the classic fans of Prince of Persia, and with the way its shaping up to be an excellent entry in the series, Ubisoft might feel more encouraged to speed up the development on the remake of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, which has often been delayed.
Ubisoft has quietly been on a roll lately. Its recent title, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, has received praise for refining the open-world formula of Far Cry and blending it seamlessly with the massive environments typically associated with the blockbuster movie franchise by James Cameron. That came on the heels of the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which was a successful throwback to the best-selling property’s early days.
