As many have already stated, this is a reboot of the Prince of Persia series. Strike that - "reboot" isn't quite the right word; I prefer "reimagining". The core PoP mechanics are here: navigational puzzles, death-defying leaps, combat, and a lady to save; the difference is in the implementation. It is still a challenge to get from point A to point B. The Sands of Time trilogy focused on single-room puzzles where you had to figure out the solution (run along the wall, slide down the curtain, jump across the chasm). This PoP is almost more of a rhythm game: the path is linear and (usually) clearly marked, the challenge comes from performing the correct action (jump, run, grab, roll) at the right time. One of the great benefits of switching from the room-focused puzzle is that the maps can be much larger, and this game provides some amazing vistas! Combat is not one of this game's strong points. Thankfully, it only becomes a significant issue during one leg of the journey. While you will be fighting some different bosses during the game, there is one that requires multiple nearly-identical encounters to defeat. The first time you beat him is a relief, the second is "alright, here we go again", and third+ are sighs of resignation. There is also the possibility for frequent fights with mini-bosses, but the player can interrupt their summonings if he is quick enough, preventing the combat scenario entirely. Once the player gets into the rhythm of the combat system, fights become easy and allow the player to focus on the visuals, which are smooth and impressive. One of the wonderful elements of Sands of Time is the interaction between the Prince and Princess. Both characters were well written, intelligent, and clever without delving into cliched one-liners. The Prince and Princess characters here are not as likable here, although I grew to care about them by the end of the game. When we first meet the Prince he is flippant and cocksure, and it takes a long time for that vibe to warm into something more plausible and likable. The Princess also starts off one-dimensional and gradually grows. The game suffers from not having immediately likable characters, especially after the wonderful first impression made by the game's art direction. This installment of Prince of Persia opts for a stylized cel-shaded look, and it is excellent. It manages to have the feel of an animated Arabian painting. The menus are beautiful, setting an excellent tone for the game. The Prince's colorful scarves stand out from the muted colors of the main area, as does the Princess's white blouse. I initially thought the desaturated environment was a gameplay decision to make the Prince easier to see. I didn't really take notice of the lifeless color palette until completing the first area and seeing the area re-saturate. I already liked the art direction, but that's when I became *impressed* by the art direction. A lot of virtual ink has been spilled about the "you can't die" mechanic. In short: if you're about to lose a fight or fall off a cliff, the Princess uses her magic to save you. Personally, I am just fine with this design decision: - Sands of Time had a similar concept with the "reverse time" mechanic, although that had limited uses - No "game over" screen also means no navigating the menus to retry/reload from the last checkpoint - It's a smart, subtle nudge from the game developers for the player to give it one more try; it's easier to walk away from a game when presented with a "game over" screen - (MINOR SPOILER ALERT) For a story about Life and Death, the game mechanics of multiple lives and frequent deaths in incongruous with the game's narrative theme The primary reason I give this game 4 stars and not 5 (which I think it deserves) is because Ubisoft never released the game's final chapter for PC; it was released as DLC for consoles only. The base game tells a complete story with an appropriate ending, its just that the DLC tells a little more. (I'd love for GOG to somehow wrangle THAT bonus content!) I played the game almost entirely with a gamepad. While mouse/keyboard is doable, it's not recommended. All-in-all, I had a great time playing this Prince of Persia when it was released in 2008. It was one of the few games I played to completion, and I still fondly recall various elements of the game: certain traversals, completing an area, the art style, the story's closing act, and even the melancholy of one of the characters. Hmmm - I think I'll install and play it again...
