I can’t figure why game companies don’t team up with indie developers more often. They bring fresh ideas to the table, ideas that really spark up franchises that fans and newcomers alike can enjoy.
Ubisoft may not have had the smoothest of game years with 2024, but one smart decision it did make was letting the creators of Dead Cells (Evil Empire) step up and try their hand at the formula of Prince of Persia. It’s not like we needed a new game, what with The Lost Crown still making waves months later. But The Rogue Prince of Persia is a welcome addition to the legacy, a beautiful side-scrolling adventure game loaded with action and goodies.
Also…where are the console releases for this? Something like this would really shine on the Nintendo Switch. Maybe after the Early Access period ends.
It’s still in Early Access, so there are still changes to be made to truly make it shine. But as it stands, Evil Empire has done a notable job with its fresh chapter in the saga – and gives us more than enough to sink our teeth into while we await The Sands of Time Remake. (Wherever it is.)
Take That, Huns!
You portray the Prince, who finds his kingdom under sudden invasion by a Hun army. It’s up to you to use your stylish maneuvers, sharpened sword and athletic prowess to hold off enemies, navigate tricky areas and, essentially, become the much-needed Prince of Persia.
Instead of simply copying The Lost Crown’s blueprint on an indie front, Evil Empire instead sticks to its Dead Cells-type guns with The Rogue. It feels like its own entry in the series, with sharp combat and great maneuvering. It does take a while to master everything (such as running along backdrops), but the team is more than capable of creating a well-playing adventure here.
It’s also a roguelike, like Dead Cells before it, which means the experience changes with each new venture into this troubled land. You can also unlock alternate paths, as well as track down hidden characters, new weapons and additional power-ups to help you over the course of your journey. It has a lot more to offer than you might expect.
That said, there are times that you’ll fall into deathtraps that you don’t expect, since the “look” system isn’t the most refined. It does come with a “live and learn” (or rather “die and learn”?) setup, so you’re never discouraged and learn how to overcome such odds the next time around. That’s the best kind of roguelike, a game that motivates you to keep going.
I can’t fault the controls in the least. They handle well when it comes to getting around and slashing enemies. And the stylish flip you can perform over a charging foe certainly doesn’t get old. This is all about being a clever Prince, after all.
The Rogue Prince of Persia seems to follow its own path with the series, but doesn’t forget what made it work so well. Is there stuff that can be fixed? Sure. But that’s Early Access, and the game can still attain so much in the months ahead. Gotta start somewhere, yes?
A Different Looking Kind of Royalty
Another benefit to letting an indie team like Evil Empire work on Prince of Persia is watching the artistic touch they provide. Instead of leaning on a AAA-style budget, the team turns to a hand-drawn aesthetic that works incredibly well. The animations look great and the backdrops are stunning, even if they’re not as dark and decadent as, say, Dead Cells. It also looks great on Steam Deck, which is more than I can say for most Ubisoft games these days. (Hopefully they fix that.)
As for the audio, it’s pretty good. I think I prefer Lost Crown’s soundtrack over this one, but Evil Empire still has some good tunes included here. The sound effects are also terrific, though having a silent Prince is a bit odd. Maybe they’ll add more voicework as the game moves on in development. Again, no biggie.
Finally, the frame rate is pretty steady. The game does jitter at times (at least, on Steam Deck), but for the most part, you’ll have no problem getting into the combat and puzzle solving.
Don’t Be Blue, Prince
Even if you’re a fan of the awesome Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, there’s always room for more greatness – and The Rogue Prince of Persia certainly earns its spot. It’s a lot of fun to play, and packs beautiful visuals that really showcase what Evil Empire can do. It does have its hiccups, but most Early Access games do; and it still runs very well for the most part, even on Steam Deck.
So if side-scrolling hack-and-slash is your thing, you owe it to yourself to let the Prince join your club. It’s a fairly good price and a great deal of fun. Plus, the more support we give an indie title such as this, the more likely it is we’ll see big-time publishers give them a chance on franchises.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Evil Empire for the review code!
