I’m a Metroidvania Fanatic – and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was Everything I Wanted

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown brings the Prince back to basics with a 2D platformer

It has been over a decade since the last mainline release of Prince of Persia, and the highly anticipated Sands of Time remake seems to be stuck in development limbo. However, fans of the series can find solace in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a 2D platformer that stays true to the roots of the beloved franchise.

A Different Kind of Difficulty

The original Prince of Persia games were known for their brutal difficulty, with players having to memorize the layout of levels to avoid death traps. The Lost Crown, on the other hand, presents a different kind of challenge. As a metroidvania, the game features hidden areas with long and difficult sections of platforming, often without solid ground to land on. The world map is vast, and as you unlock new abilities, it unfolds before you. These new abilities also introduce more complex puzzle-solving as you navigate through intricate corridors. If you're a fan of the genre, The Lost Crown delivers the perfect balance of difficulty and challenge.

Intense Combat

While the enemies in the corridors pose little threat, the boss fights in The Lost Crown are a different story. Particularly in the end game, these battles are intense and require well-timed parries to break through. However, you can only parry one attack for every five unblockable attacks, resulting in a long wait time before you can counterattack. The reliance on flashy animations further prolongs these fast-paced battles. Fortunately, if your main focus is on the platforming aspect of the game, there are options to make the combat significantly easier, allowing you to enjoy The Lost Crown in your own preferred way.

A Weak Point in the Story

One area where The Lost Crown falls short is its storytelling. While there is a lot of emphasis on the close relationships between characters, the game fails to show these connections effectively. As a result, players don't feel a genuine connection to the characters, making their infrequent appearances in over-dramatic cutscenes less impactful. Despite this flaw, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown successfully captures the essentials that fans of 2D platformers crave. The movement is sleek, fast-paced, and satisfying to master, allowing players to zip around the labyrinth of Mount Qaf with ease.

The Ultimate Love Letter to Fans

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is undeniably a love letter to fans of the 2D platformer genre. It provides everything that enthusiasts could ask for, offering a demo that can be enjoyed on all platforms. Whether you're a die-hard Prince of Persia fan or simply a lover of challenging platformers, The Lost Crown is sure to deliver an unforgettable gaming experience.