Introduction
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is my first foray into the franchise. While I was aware of its legacy—and even suffered through that ill-fated movie adaptation—I had never played any of the games. When I saw that the latest installment was shifting into Metroidvania territory, I knew it was time to jump in. So, does Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown deliver a satisfying single-player experience? Let’s find out.
Narrative
In The Lost Crown, you play as Sargon, a member of The Immortals—a group of elite warriors. The story kicks off when Sargon’s mentor, Anahita, betrays the empire by kidnapping Prince Ghassan and taking him to Mount Qaf, a cursed city trapped in a time anomaly. Sargon and his crew embark on a mission to rescue the prince, battling supernatural foes and uncovering the mysteries of the land.
While the narrative is functional, it doesn’t immediately captivate. The first half drags with rapid character introductions that make it difficult to form emotional connections. However, the second half picks up, introducing stronger twists and more engaging storytelling. Though it may not be the most riveting tale in gaming, it provides enough intrigue to keep you invested.
Gameplay
As with any great Metroidvania, The Lost Crown revolves around exploration, acquiring new abilities, and overcoming increasingly difficult challenges. Combat is fluid and dynamic, demanding mastery of Sargon’s moveset. You’ll dash, dodge, parry, and wield time-bending abilities to defeat foes in both small skirmishes and grand boss battles.
Boss Fights & Combat
The boss fights are a standout feature, offering well-designed, memorable encounters. Each boss has a unique move set that pushes players to adapt and experiment with their skills. While the game isn’t punishingly difficult like a Souls-like, it does require precision and strategy.
Combat is fast, responsive, and polished. You can launch enemies into the air with a flurry of sword strikes, slide beneath larger foes to expose their backs, and chain together devastating aerial attacks. The game rewards skilled play with flashy finishers and smooth parries. As you progress, new abilities such as the Shadow of Simurgh allow for creative combat approaches—like teleporting behind bosses for surprise attacks.
Platforming & Exploration
The platforming is tight and refined, offering well-crafted layouts that feel rewarding to traverse. The Lost Crown provides multiple difficulty layers—platforming challenges, secret areas, and time-based puzzles—that keep gameplay fresh. Additionally, accessibility options make the experience more inviting to newcomers, while still offering a real challenge for veterans.
Collectibles & Side Content
The game excels in its side content and collectibles. Side quests seamlessly integrate with the main narrative, adding depth to the world. One of the most impressive features is the Memory Shard mechanic, which allows players to take in-game screenshots and pin them to the map. This feature should become a staple in the Metroidvania genre, as it streamlines exploration and backtracking.
Visuals & Performance
The Lost Crown is visually stunning, blending 2D and 3D elements with vibrant colors, impactful lighting, and highly detailed environments. Each biome presents a unique aesthetic, making exploration feel fresh throughout.
Performance-wise, the game generally runs well. However, on Xbox Series S/X, I encountered occasional crashes. On Steam Deck, frame rate hitches made platforming frustrating at times, though this issue was noticeably absent in the Steam version compared to the Ubisoft Launcher. Hopefully, patches continue to improve stability.
Flaws & Drawbacks
Despite its strengths, The Lost Crown has some notable flaws:
- Lack of a Main Quest Indicator – While exploration is encouraged, the absence of a quest marker made it easy to get lost, leading to moments of frustration.
- Inconsistent Cutscene Presentation – Some cutscenes feel undercooked, with awkward camera cuts and weak voice delivery that disrupt immersion.
- Limited Fast Travel Points – As the map expands, backtracking becomes tedious due to the lack of sufficient fast travel locations.
- Performance Issues on Certain Platforms – Occasional crashes on Xbox and frame rate drops on Steam Deck impact the experience.
Overall, Should You Play Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown?
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a solid Metroidvania with standout features that could influence future genre entries. It boasts vibrant visuals, excellent platforming, and engaging combat, all wrapped in an adventure that, while not narratively groundbreaking, remains enjoyable.
If you love Metroidvania games, this is an easy recommendation. If you’re on the fence, the game’s accessibility options and rewarding exploration mechanics make it worth considering. However, if the genre doesn’t appeal to you, The Lost Crown likely won’t change your mind.
