After a prolonged absence, the beloved “Prince of Persia” franchise is poised for a thrilling return with its latest installment, “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown,” set to release on January 15. This highly anticipated game, which has recently unveiled an engaging demo, is already stirring excitement among its ardent fanbase, sparking hopes of a franchise rejuvenation.

“Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown” marks a significant departure from its predecessors, transitioning from a third-person action-platformer to a side-scrolling Metroidvania format. This shift aligns more closely with games like the Ori series rather than Ubisoft’s other famous title, Assassin’s Creed. Despite initial reservations about this change, the newly-released demo has assuaged fears, suggesting that this new direction might just be the revitalization the series needs.

The game retains the hallmark features of the franchise – acrobatic platforming, time-manipulation abilities, and a magical, alternate setting. However, it weaves these elements into a Metroidvania framework, offering a fresh perspective that has long-time fans and newcomers alike intrigued.

Seems no one mentioned this, but the music of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is full of Iranian music influences and sidesteps the stereotypical "Arabic music" entirely.
Turns out it was composed by an Iranian-born Muslim woman called @mentrixmusic! Make her name known!! pic.twitter.com/BZKIeXemzu
— Dreamboum (@Dreamboum) January 12, 2024

The response on forums like Reddit has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans are expressing a renewed enthusiasm for the series, with some declaring the potential of “The Lost Crown” to not only rejuvenate the franchise but also to restore its relevance in the gaming world. This sentiment is a breath of fresh air for a series that has been largely dormant since its 2010 reboot and the much-criticized film adaptation.

One Redditor, panthers_freak, shared their immediate decision to pre-order the game after just 10 minutes of playing the demo, highlighting the instant appeal it has generated among the community. The innovative map feature and the exquisite soundtrack have also been singled out for praise.

The soundtrack, crafted by Gareth Coker of “Ori and the Blind Forest” fame and Iranian-born artist Mentrix, moves beyond typical Middle Eastern stereotypes, offering a refreshing and immersive auditory experience.

Tags: Action-adventure game Fighting game Platform game Prince of Persia Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Shooter Video Game Ubisoft Ubisoft Montpellier