5.0 out of 5 stars Move over Samus Aran

J.D.W. · 1 June 2024

I should start with the obligatory if somewhat embarrassing confession that, prior to playing the Lost Crown, I was not only unfamiliar with the Prince of Persia series but had never heard of it. Considering that I am a huge fan of action-adventure RPGs, platformers and puzzle orientated games and I am left more than a little perplexed by my seeming ignorance. The fact that the series is very nearly as old as myself makes this all the more inexplicable.Not that this matters in the least. You see, as it turns out, the Lost Crown is not only the first Prince of Persia entry in 14 years but also one in which you play as an entirely new character with little connection to previous titles beyond oblique references, easter eggs and fan service.Crucially, it is also the series first attempt at a Metroidvania, a genre that is simultaneously hard to define, beautifully rewarding to play and devilishly difficult to make. When executed well such games belong in the top drawer of AAA releases. When botched they scream pale imitation.Metroidvanias have seen something of a renaissance in recent years with entries such as Ori and the Blind Forest and Hollow Knight achieving unexpected critical acclaim. With such esteemed competition it is a brave and risky gamble for any developer to take on the genre.So how does Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown fair?The answer is beautifully just beautifully.Allow me to elaborate. When it comes to my gaming habits I am not known for being adventurous. With limited time to indulge my favourite hobby I tend to stick to what I know and enjoy. Given my lack of familiarity with the Prince of Persia franchise I was therefore a little hesitant about picking this one up. It was my penchant for Metroidvanias that piqued my interest and even then only just.The reward for my curiosity was the joy of experiencing one of the most exceptionally well crafted games I have had the privilege of playing in years.The Story is engaging without overshadowing the gameplay. The lore is subtle and complex without being overbearing. The beautiful anime inspired art style gives birth to biomes that are varied, unique and never hackneyed. Exploration is rewarded without becoming tedious or repetitive. Combat is fiendishly challenging but always fair. Boss battles are epic without being overwhelming. Side quests are involved but not tedious. Puzzles are intricate without being convoluted. And the game has, hands down, some of the best platforming set-pieces of any modern console release where razor sharp reflexes and pitch perfect precision are seldom compulsory but always richly rewarded.Moreover the game passes the litmus test of any successful Metroidvania in leaving the player never entirely sure whether they are missing a key item or unlockable move-set or simply lacking patience and skill. That lack of certainty, with its constant teasing and beckoning to explore and level up, is a beautiful sweet spot and one that the game hits continually.Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a rare gem of a game. It consistently surprises and delights throughout its many hours of play time proving a tour de force in delivering an exceptionally well calibrated Metroidvania adventure.Move over Samus Aran, this is how it’s done.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gameplay and fun

C. · 13 October 2024

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown for the Nintendo Switch is a fresh take on the classic series, featuring a new protagonist, Sargon, and a fast-paced, action-packed experience. The game stands out with its smooth 60fps performance, even on the handheld, making combat and exploration feel fluid. The gameplay mixes acrobatic platforming and satisfying combat, with a variety of moves and weapons that keep the action dynamic. You’ll face epic boss battles and enjoy a well-designed map system that encourages exploration.Visually, the game shines with detailed environments and animations, while its accessibility options, like multiple difficulty levels and map features, make it enjoyable for both casual and hardcore players. However, some players might find the story underwhelming, and there are occasional difficulty spikes. Overall, it’s a solid addition to the series, offering great gameplay and a fun experience on the Switch.

5.0 out of 5 stars An instant classic.

M. · 6 July 2024

This was developed initially on the Switch so the performance is perfect and its a title that suits gaming on the move.There's a great variety of areas on the huge world map, along with silky smooth movement and easy to grasp but rewarding to master combat. This is a textbook "Metroidvania", which means backtracking and verticality are a core part of the gameplay loop. It is easy to get lost in the game for hours.Definitely one for more dedicated gamers as the difficulty is very high at times, but well worth it for any fan of adventure games, especially the 2D Metroid series.

5.0 out of 5 stars Made to be a Switch title

C. · 9 February 2025

Great game, the graphics are excellent considering it's across all platforms. It's a solid 60fps with very little dips and provides an interesting challenge as well as an excellent story.

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Metroidvania with great production value and optimisation for Switch

A.C. · 9 August 2024

Well-optimised for switch, tight controls, deep combat, and an all-round polished experience on the console. As a Metroidvania fan I can easily recommend this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!

E. · 30 April 2025

Awesome game with an old-skool vibe towards POP 1 & 2 (side-scroller, platforming, ...). Pretty hard but pretty awesome!

5.0 out of 5 stars A great metroidvania adventure game!

H. · 7 August 2024

After trying, and enjoying, the demo; I had an itch for a good platform game.I had already played, and enjoyed Metriod Dread so I needed something new...Enter Prince of Persia. I was hooked.The combat is simple, but deep and challenging. I died, you will die. It's part of the game as you can't hack and slash, you will need to dodge, block, and parry. The progression feels natural and with the added ability to not just mark objects you want to come back, it screen shots so you can see it (a feature all games should have) and make your way back to them when you can unlock them.If you like platformers, and very specifically metroidvanias, then I recommend this game!

5.0 out of 5 stars Good

L. · 16 May 2025

Good game

Livraison rapide

L. · 14 December 2024

Conforme aux attentes de mon petit-fils.

assez bien trop compliqué

0. · 7 May 2025

Les parcours trop difficile