I'm about 60% through the new Prince of Persia game and I feel safe saying it's really good.
I was a big fan of the Prince revival on the last generation of consoles (at least, the first iteration- the later ones ventured into some angstier ground.) and this one looks to be a return to form.
We're with a different Prince in a different world. The Sands of Time are gone, replaced by a badass-looking gauntlet. Of course, the Prince is a jackass just like the last one, but he's more "Han Solo" this time around - a bit less bratty (side note - he's voiced by the same actor that did Nathan Drake in Uncharted, and he fits in quite well here too, playing somewhat of the same character). Farah, too, is gone, replaced with the far more interesting and useful Elika. She's not just not annoying, she's actually useful.
The game's main mechanic is, very simply, flow. The game does almost everything it can to keep you moving, including eliminating death entirely. Instead of wasting your time with dying and reloading, Elika takes your hand and puts you back on the last platform you stood on. It speeds things up and takes out something that, in retrospect, just seems unnecessary. There's no lifebar, either, and you won't miss it.
The platforming aspects are also considerably smoother this time around and far less rooted in reality (like they were before?). Another aspect is that the Prince at the beginning is the same as the Prince at the end. He never changes, while Elika gains access to a few new powers.
All this focus on flow coupled with the game's stunning visual style moves the title toward the elusive "games as art" honor, but that doesn't stop it from having a few flaws here and there. I'm not sure how I feel about the collecting of Light Seeds. I will say this - I've explored MUCH more than I would've otherwise. I think that was probably the intention of the creators and the Light Seeds have done well in that respect. At the same time, they do feel rather "video gamey," as does the amount of backtracking you end up doing. That said, the game is so much fun to navigate that you never get tired of leaping, sliding, and moving around the world.
Is it a buy? I'm not sure. It's really, really good, but it's also really short.
UPDATE:
I've now finished the game. Check for spoilers after the cut.
I was a big fan of the Prince revival on the last generation of consoles (at least, the first iteration- the later ones ventured into some angstier ground.) and this one looks to be a return to form.
A New Han Solo
We're with a different Prince in a different world. The Sands of Time are gone, replaced by a badass-looking gauntlet. Of course, the Prince is a jackass just like the last one, but he's more "Han Solo" this time around - a bit less bratty (side note - he's voiced by the same actor that did Nathan Drake in Uncharted, and he fits in quite well here too, playing somewhat of the same character). Farah, too, is gone, replaced with the far more interesting and useful Elika. She's not just not annoying, she's actually useful.
The game's main mechanic is, very simply, flow. The game does almost everything it can to keep you moving, including eliminating death entirely. Instead of wasting your time with dying and reloading, Elika takes your hand and puts you back on the last platform you stood on. It speeds things up and takes out something that, in retrospect, just seems unnecessary. There's no lifebar, either, and you won't miss it.
The platforming aspects are also considerably smoother this time around and far less rooted in reality (like they were before?). Another aspect is that the Prince at the beginning is the same as the Prince at the end. He never changes, while Elika gains access to a few new powers.
All this focus on flow coupled with the game's stunning visual style moves the title toward the elusive "games as art" honor, but that doesn't stop it from having a few flaws here and there. I'm not sure how I feel about the collecting of Light Seeds. I will say this - I've explored MUCH more than I would've otherwise. I think that was probably the intention of the creators and the Light Seeds have done well in that respect. At the same time, they do feel rather "video gamey," as does the amount of backtracking you end up doing. That said, the game is so much fun to navigate that you never get tired of leaping, sliding, and moving around the world.
Is it a buy? I'm not sure. It's really, really good, but it's also really short.
UPDATE:
I've now finished the game. Check for spoilers after the cut.
After you fight Ahriman, Elika gives her life to finish the job. The Prince, having grown close to her over the course of the game, picks her up and carries her from the temple, lying her down on an altar. Previously empty stone pedestals across the desert are now occupied by vibrant green trees, each glowing to let you know you've still got something to do. One by one, you cut down each of the trees, undoing all your work and unleashing Ahriman back into the world to revive your true love.
First, I have to say this is one of the most convincing and engaging love stories I've ever seen in a game. For me, this surpasses Cloud and Aeris, Tidus and Yuna, or whatever else. I had a lot invested in these two characters. Throughout the game, it's apparent that neither could've done a thing without the other; as a pair they're much more than the sum of their parts and are absolutely equal. She's no damsel and he's no saint. You're also in control of both - you initiate Elika's powers. In my view, you're in control of her as well. She's not just a "love interest," but another character on the same level as the Prince.
Second, the decision to twist the ending was a huge surprise. I was expecting a happier ending... or a more final ending. Yes, this does take a slightly cheaper route and open the game up for a sequel, but having the Prince undo his hard work to bring her back fits him, his story with Princess Elika. It just works.
Third, regardless of how unsettling I found the ending, I LOVE that they made you cut down the trees. It introduced a feeling of inevitability into it. Just as the Prince thought "Without this, I can't go on," so does the player. If it had been a cutscene, the you might be able to say, "I wouldn't do that!" But you're left with the choice of skipping the last page of the book or taking the final measure yourself. This was truly a great way to involve the player!
Kudos to the writers for giving such an interesting ending and to the artists for making it so fun to look at.
First, I have to say this is one of the most convincing and engaging love stories I've ever seen in a game. For me, this surpasses Cloud and Aeris, Tidus and Yuna, or whatever else. I had a lot invested in these two characters. Throughout the game, it's apparent that neither could've done a thing without the other; as a pair they're much more than the sum of their parts and are absolutely equal. She's no damsel and he's no saint. You're also in control of both - you initiate Elika's powers. In my view, you're in control of her as well. She's not just a "love interest," but another character on the same level as the Prince.
Not just another pretty face, but one of the better women in games recently.
Second, the decision to twist the ending was a huge surprise. I was expecting a happier ending... or a more final ending. Yes, this does take a slightly cheaper route and open the game up for a sequel, but having the Prince undo his hard work to bring her back fits him, his story with Princess Elika. It just works.
Third, regardless of how unsettling I found the ending, I LOVE that they made you cut down the trees. It introduced a feeling of inevitability into it. Just as the Prince thought "Without this, I can't go on," so does the player. If it had been a cutscene, the you might be able to say, "I wouldn't do that!" But you're left with the choice of skipping the last page of the book or taking the final measure yourself. This was truly a great way to involve the player!
Kudos to the writers for giving such an interesting ending and to the artists for making it so fun to look at.
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