Hilary Giorgi

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - A Nostalgic Journey Back to 2003 with a Modern Twist

Ubisoft has surprised us with the announcement of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a new cartoony 2.5D platformer that brings back the reminiscent feel of the iconic 2003 game Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. With its unique art style and tantalizing gameplay, The Lost Crown is the nostalgic throwback we didn't know we wanted, and it has certainly captured our attention at the Summer Game Fest.

The new Prince character in The Lost Crown successfully channels the charm of Sands of Time while donning a punk edge, setting it apart from previous iterations. The game's art style is reminiscent of Star Wars: Rebels or Sea of Thieves, providing a stylized yet grounded aesthetic. The 2.5D backgrounds showcase a massive temple complex and verdant country hills, reminiscent of Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze, a visual treat for gamers to explore.

The action-packed trailer hints at gameplay inspired by Metroid Dread, emphasizing fluid character movements and thrilling boss encounters. A particular standout is a manticore-like boss dominating the screen with its scorpion tail weaving menacingly through the gameplay. Although it's not clear if The Lost Crown is a Metroidvania or linear platformer, it appears to take inspiration from recent platformer hits, suggesting a potentially winning combination of character action combat, exploration, and platforming.

It is worth noting that The Lost Crown is not directly tied to the currently rebooted Sands of Time Remake, despite the reminiscent charm. However, if The Lost Crown manages to evoke the whimsical appeal of Ubisoft's past platformers like Rayman and Beyond Good and Evil, it could prove to be a nostalgic treat for long-time fans of the Prince of Persia franchise and newcomers alike.

Set to be released on January 18, 2024, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has generated immense excitement and anticipation among gamers. With Ubisoft set to showcase more of the game during its Forward live stream on June 12, we can't wait to see what other charming surprises this cartoony 2.5D platformer has in store for us. As a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern gameplay elements, The Lost Crown could potentially set a new standard for the platformer genre and usher in a new era of iconic Ubisoft titles.