The Rogue Prince Of Persia Review – WGB

Typically it appears like you possibly can’t transfer 5 ft with out tripping over one other roguelike as of late. At this level I’m principally trapped in a single myself, endlessly beginning new runs. In equity to The Rogue Prince of Persia, it’s really a 2025 sport, however has recently received a physical console release on PS5, Xbox Collection X and Swap, therefore why I’m right here taking part in it now.

The dastardly huns, who’re using some type of freaky-deaky corrupting magic, have invaded Persia and ransacked the place, so our titular Prince squares off towards their chief, Nogai. After getting his ass kicked, the Prince awakens on the Oasis on the morning of the third day of the invasion. It seems the Prince has a magic amulet of his personal that brings him again up to now each time he dies, so now the Prince must rescue his household and cease the invasion of his homeland by banging his head off the metaphorical wall often called roguelike development.

Meaning dying so much and regularly rising in energy by utilizing XP factors to completely enhance well being, give your self demise defiance and numerous different little upgrades. Soul Cinders are harvested from the Huns you decimate alongside the best way and must be saved at the beginning of every new biome or else are misplaced to time, and people can be utilized to unlock new weapons and medallions for future runs. It’s all very commonplace at this level, and The Rogue Prince of Persia doesn’t convey a complete lot new to the desk by way of development programs. Though I do recognize this spin on the basic Prince of Persia time-control stuff.

The sport’s finest characteristic is undoubtedly the parkour, as a result of what’s a Prince of Persia sport for those who can’t replicate the The Workplace parkour meme? It’s not like the sport affords a heap of instruments: wallrunning, a touch and a bounce. But it surely’s the implementation that makes it particular. The controls take slightly little bit of getting used to, however as soon as mastered it’s spectacular how easy and enjoyable it’s. You possibly can wallrun at any angle on the background partitions, then bounce, sprint and wallrun up a facet wall, bounce once more right into a background run and combo all of it collectively infinitely. Nail the timing costs up the Prince’s breath meter, making him faster and boosting his injury output, so the sport is nudging you towards easily freerunning into fights like a fucking monkey dropping out of a tree onto an unsuspecting sucker.

Fight is a bit much less thrilling: whack issues with one button, dodge with one other and execute particular strikes by holding down assault. Oh, and you’ll kick fools within the face, too, and there’s the software button which unleashes bows, grappling hooks or no matter else you might have geared up on the time. None of it’s unhealthy and it flows effectively sufficient, plus there’s a wide variety of weapons on provide, however in comparison with the parkour the combating didn’t maintain my curiosity as a lot. That’s an issue in a sport like this the place you’re pushed to kill the whole lot with a purpose to seize XP for everlasting development factors.

I do like how the extent system works. As you discover you’ll discover labelled doorways that result in the following part of the world, and extra might be regularly uncovered as you progress by the story. Very often, you’ll want to move to particular areas, and can generally even must seize an merchandise within the early levels and carry elsewhere, which takes up your software slot. It’s hardly a groundbreaking system, nevertheless it feels properly paced. In reality, the entire sport is paced effectively. Typically roguelikes can grow to be extremely grindy, however The Rogue Prince of Persia strikes quick in each its gameplay and total development, so there’s nearly at all times a brand new place to take a look at or goal to realize.

Total, it in all probability solely took me 6-8 hours to beat the principle boss the primary time round. Then the grind set in slightly extra as a result of to realize the true ending it’s essential to discover and beat the bastard 7 instances, and do just a few different issues. Round 15 hours for those who’re an honest roguelike participant, a bit longer if in case you have the survival expertise of a dodo with a concussion.

I tip my hat to the presentation as effectively. It’s a hand-drawn ligne claire fashion with daring outlines and vibrant flats. Sounds artsy, proper? To place it extra merely, clear strains, shiny colors and a Saturday morning cartoon vibe. And that’s combined with a banger of a soundtrack that mixes modern-day digital beats with basic Persian devices just like the setar. The result’s a bouncy, head-bopping soundtrack. It’s some critically good shit. Hell, it’s in all probability one of many few instances I’d contemplate choosing up the soundtrack itself and listening outdoors of taking part in the sport.

A extremely strong effort and a enjoyable spin on the basic IP. The parkour system is brilliantly easy, constructing on the type of sharp motion design Evil Empire honed whereas engaged on Lifeless Cells. Outdoors of that, although, there’s not a complete lot right here that really surprises. The story is forgettable, the fight is completely serviceable, and the development sticks intently to roguelike conference.

The Rogue Prince of Persia doesn’t rewrite the rulebook, however its slick motion and classy presentation make it effectively price a run—significantly for diehard followers of the style.