Today marks the arrival of The Rogue Prince of Persia on Steam in an entirely new guise! Players will now assume the role of a Prince adorned in violet, destined to relive the same fateful day repeatedly. Developed by Evil Empire (known for Dead Cells) and published by Ubisoft, the game is finally available for early access after a slight delay caused by the unexpected release of Hades 2, prompting the studio to revise its plans. We’ve had the exclusive opportunity to delve into The Rogue Prince of Persia and are here to deliver our verdict.
The Rogue Prince of Persia: A Day Without End
In this iteration, players embody the Prince, driven by unyielding determination and the desire to prove himself as a future king. Armed with a mystical bola granting the unique ability to rewind time upon facing certain death, players navigate through a series of trials in an unending cycle.
As the Huns encroach upon the borders of Persia, the Prince’s strategic prowess is dismissed by his father, deemed too inexperienced and reckless. Undeterred, the Prince ventures forth to defend his people alone. However, upon encountering the devastating shamanic magic wielded by the Huns, the Prince’s forces falter, and the Huns advance toward the capital.
Defeated by the Hun king Nogai, the Prince is rescued by his former mentor Sukhra, who whisks him away to a hidden oasis for recovery. Upon regaining his strength, the Prince returns to the capital, only to discover that the king of the Huns is losing control of his magic.
To overcome this dire situation, the Prince must learn from his mistakes, heed the counsel of his allies, and ultimately place trust in their guidance. Through collaborative efforts, he may uncover the means to save Persia from the Huns and the rampant shamanic corruption threatening its existence.
While the storyline may seem conventional, it indeed is. It doesn’t offer significant plot twists and remains fairly linear.
A Unique Visual Identity
The game’s most striking feature is undoubtedly the Prince’s violet hue. While the previous Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown brought some innovation, this installment pushes the boundaries further. Departing from its predecessor’s Metroidvania-style in 2.5D, this game showcases a 2D character with a roguelike flair. The hand-drawn appearance of the characters, reminiscent of a comic book aesthetic, is a stark departure from traditional Prince of Persia visuals but injects a refreshing uniqueness into the game.
Patience and Perseverance
Exploration in this Prince of Persia iteration differs significantly from previous experiences. Levels generate sequentially, unveiling beautifully crafted 2D environments that showcase the kingdom’s splendor. From serene oases to picturesque Zagros villages, each stage presents new challenges and narratives to uncover.
The central hub, the oasis, serves as a welcome refuge between adventures—a place for players to rest and prepare for the trials ahead. However, every defeat results in progress being reset, requiring players to embark on a fresh journey—a feature that may frustrate many players unaccustomed to this gameplay style.
Nevertheless, the central hub allows players to strengthen themselves, either by purchasing new equipment or forging new weapons. While repetitive, this gameplay loop becomes integral to mastering The Rogue Prince of Persia’s mechanics, albeit at the cost of prolonged frustration.
Intense Combat, Especially Against Bosses
Combat in The Rogue Prince of Persia is particularly challenging, especially when facing bosses. With only two bosses, players are likely to struggle to overcome them on their initial attempts due to their formidable health pools. To evolve, players must experiment with different combinations during combat, selecting from eight primary weapons, six secondary weapons, and various medallion combinations.
The game’s essence lies in carefully navigating battles, especially against armored adversaries. Slow and steady wins the race, as players must strategize meticulously to emerge victorious.
Puzzles and Exploration Abound
True to the Prince of Persia tradition, this installment boasts intricate puzzles and extensive exploration. Players can utilize the Prince’s wall-climbing ability to access seemingly unreachable points, evade traps, and uncover hidden treasures. The puzzles grow progressively more challenging as the adventure unfolds, rewarding players with valuable resources, medallions, or weapons to strengthen their character.
Players can also gather various resources during exploration, ranging from gold and potions to life-extending resources and spirit glimmers. These resources serve as currency at the oasis, where players can forge new weapons, albeit requiring multiple attempts to accumulate a sufficient quantity.
Exploration introduces players to a diverse cast of characters, including Shahin, the Prince’s brother; Feriel, the queen; Peroz, the king; Sukhra, the wise forge master; Paachi, the redeemer; and Azadeh, the headstrong leader, alongside merchants and blacksmiths.
Furthermore, players can activate “dream wells” at each level, enabling swift travel to explore the level in-depth.
A Memorable Soundtrack but…
The game’s soundtrack is undoubtedly a highlight, immersing players in the game’s atmosphere. Each level boasts a distinct musical score reminiscent of Persian ambiance. However, given the game’s roguelike nature, the tracks can become repetitive, especially after several attempts, evoking a sense of déjà vu visually and sonically.
It’s worth noting that the game lacks voice acting, relying solely on text-based dialogue. While a minor flaw, voice acting could have enhanced immersion and enriched the game’s sinister atmosphere.
Verdict
In conclusion, The Rogue Prince of Persia injects a breath of fresh air with its roguelike style, stepping away from the conventional. Similar to The Lost Crown, the game ventures off the beaten path and is sure to delight speedrunners. However, some players may find the prospect of restarting the adventure from scratch too daunting, making the game less appealing to all.
The addition of wall-climbing introduces rewarding vertical exploration, providing a deeper understanding of the game’s mechanics and better preparing players for subsequent attempts. While the narrative remains somewhat linear, the gameplay urges players to quickly dive back in, striving to reach the end. Players can expect to spend nearly 15 hours to complete the game, though speedrunners may achieve victory much sooner.