The Rogue Prince of Persia
Review
The king in waiting
by William Thompson
reviewed on PC
Iconic
In the annals of gaming history, few series can claim the iconic status of Prince of Persia. The original, with its groundbreaking fluid animation and challenging platforming, set a standard that has been both emulated and evolved over decades. The latest entry, The Rogue Prince of Persia, arrives not as a direct sequel, but as a bold and compelling reinterpretation, infusing the classic 2D platforming and acrobatics with the high-stakes, persistent-progression loop of the roguelike genre. The result is an experience that feels both comfortingly familiar and exhilaratingly new, though not without its share of the frustrations inherent to its chosen formula.
From the moment you step into the vibrant, comic-book-inspired world, the game's aesthetic immediately captures the eye. The art style is a striking departure from the series' more traditional realistic looks, opting for a graphic novel feel that lends a unique character to the ancient Persian city. Every character, every enemy, and every environmental detail bursts with colour and expressive lines. It's a visual treat that both honors the two-dimensional roots of the series and gives it a distinct, modern identity. Furthermore, the animations are a highlight, a testament to the developers' reverence for the source material. The signature Prince of Persia parkour animations—the effortless wall-running, the graceful leaps, the precise tumbles—feel as though they've been pulled directly from the classic titles, lending a sense of authenticity and nostalgia to every move.
Putting the Rogue in Roguelike
At its core, The Rogue Prince of Persia is a game about mastery through repetition. As a roguelike, your journey through the ever-shifting city is defined by a series of runs, each beginning from the start. Within each run, the primary currency is gold coins, which can be spent on a variety of temporary power-ups. These include topping up your health, acquiring new weapons and special abilities (known as "tools"), and purchasing buffs that can turn the tide of a challenging encounter. This system provides a satisfying sense of moment-to-moment growth, as you acquire better gear and strategically spend your coins to overcome the immediate obstacles.
However, the game's true progression lies in Soul Cinders. These are collected throughout your runs and, upon your inevitable defeat, are used at the central hub, the Oasis, to permanently unlock new weapons, tools, and abilities. This creates a compelling meta-game loop, where even a failed run is not a total loss. Each death brings you closer to unlocking powerful new equipment, allowing you to tailor your starting loadout to your preferred playstyle. The initial few runs may feel limited, but as you unlock more gear, the strategic depth of the game expands exponentially. You can start with a powerful slow-hitting hammer, a rapid-fire bow, or a tool that launches a powerful poison attack, setting the stage for a unique experience each time you venture forth.
Smooth mover
The platforming and combat are two sides of the same coin, and both are handled with a level of polish and responsiveness that is genuinely impressive. The controls are incredibly smooth, and executing a flawless sequence of wall-runs and jumps is immensely satisfying. The feeling of nailing every target, of seamlessly traversing a treacherous environment, is the very essence of the Prince of Persia experience. The traps—the classic spikes, falling platforms, and menacing spinning saws—are ever-present, demanding precise timing and quick reflexes. While it can be frustrating to fall into a pit after a misjudged jump, the blame rests squarely on the player's timing rather than any fault of the controls. This fair-but-firm design philosophy is what makes the game's platforming so rewarding.
Combat is equally dynamic. The game throws a wide range of enemies at you, each with their own attack patterns and weaknesses. From shielded guards who require a specific parry to charging beasts that must be dodged at the last second, every enemy encounter is a mini-puzzle. The game is good about providing clear warning signs for enemy attacks, giving you the information you need to avoid damage. However, the true challenge emerges in later levels, where enemies begin to congregate. Fighting a group of foes requires a more careful approach, as you must watch multiple attack indicators and prioritize threats to avoid being overwhelmed.
The culmination of each major area is a formidable boss fight. These encounters serve as a true test of the skills you've honed throughout your run. Each boss is a unique challenge, often featuring multiple distinct phases and a complex array of attacks. They are designed to push you to your limits, forcing you to utilize everything at your disposal, from your chosen weapons to your special tools and precise parkour skills. While their attacks are well-telegraphed, the sheer intensity and speed of their patterns demand quick reflexes and an intimate understanding of their mechanics. A successful boss battle feels like a monumental achievement, a satisfying conclusion to a long and treacherous run, and a clear signal of your growing mastery of the game's systems.
Slow paced story
One of the more frustrating aspects, as is common in the roguelike genre, is the necessity of repetition. The core progression relies on grinding through multiple runs. While unlocking new equipment is rewarding, the need to complete the easier early levels multiple times, especially after a challenging boss fight, can feel a bit like a slog. It would have been a welcome feature to be able to start a run from a more advanced checkpoint after defeating a boss, rather than having to repeat the grind to get back to the more difficult and engaging late-game content. This also impacts the narrative. The story unfolds slowly, with new plot points and clues about your royal family’s whereabouts scattered throughout different runs. This fragmented, slow-burn approach can diminish the sense of a grand, cohesive narrative, as the urgency of the plot is lost to the loop of repeated runs.
Despite these frustrations, The Rogue Prince of Persia is a masterful blend of old and new. It takes the timeless parkour and fluid combat of the series and injects it with a progression loop that encourages skill, practice, and a constant search for better gear. It’s a game that respects your time even when you fail, ensuring that every run, no matter how short, contributes to your overall strength. The exquisite comic-book art, the fluid controls, and the challenging enemies all come together to create a compelling and addictive experience. While the inherent repetition of the roguelike genre may not appeal to every player, those who embrace the challenge will find a deeply rewarding platformer that pays homage to its roots while confidently forging a new path.
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7.5
fun score
Pros
Smooth parkour, great boss battles
Cons
Story pacing - a roguelike issue
