Prince of Persia

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown – A Deep Dive into Ubisoft’s Metroidvania Masterpiece

In the realm of action-adventure gaming, few franchises carry as much legacy and influence as Prince of Persia. Ever since its inception in 1989, the series has continued to redefine what it means to combine storytelling, platforming, and combat in a single package. In 2024, Ubisoft breathed new life into the beloved franchise with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a game that not only revitalizes its mythological roots but also boldly reinvents its structure by embracing the Metroidvania genre. With a mobile version optimized for modern devices, the game has become more accessible and flexible than ever before, introducing a new generation of players to the mystical world of Persia.

This in-depth article explores the various aspects that make Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown a landmark title, examining its story, gameplay, design, and innovations that make it stand out. It is a game that thrives on the balance between fluid mechanics, intricate exploration, and time-bending puzzles.

The Return to Persia

Unlike previous Prince of Persia games, which mostly revolved around unnamed princes and time-rewinding daggers, The Lost Crown puts players in the shoes of Sargon, a bold new protagonist. Sargon is not a prince, but a member of the Immortals, an elite group of warriors sworn to protect the Persian empire. The plot begins with a mission that feels simple at first: Queen Thomyris dispatches Sargon and his companions to rescue her kidnapped son, Prince Ghassan. However, the mission quickly spirals into a complex journey through Mount Qaf, a city once inhabited by gods but now cursed by a mysterious time anomaly.

Mount Qaf becomes more than just a setting—it is a character in its own right. Filled with intricate pathways, collapsing architecture, and time-frozen enemies, it represents the spiritual and metaphysical chaos at the heart of the game. The player must traverse this ever-changing labyrinth using a mixture of swordplay, parkour, and time-based powers.

A Modern Metroidvania

The Metroidvania genre, popularized by titles like Metroid and Castlevania, is known for its interconnected world design, backtracking mechanics, and skill-gated progression. The Lost Crown fully embraces this formula, challenging players to explore every nook and cranny of Mount Qaf. The map is massive and sprawling, segmented into unique biomes that reflect Persian mythological influences—each with its own secrets, mini-bosses, and traversal puzzles.

Unlike linear games where progression follows a fixed path, The Lost Crown encourages exploration and experimentation. Players may encounter locked doors or unreachable ledges early on, only to return hours later with newly acquired abilities that allow access. These moments of return are deeply satisfying, offering both a sense of familiarity and the thrill of discovery. The design encourages memory, curiosity, and even note-taking, which is uniquely supported by an in-game screenshot pinning system. Players can take snapshots of obstacles or clues and pin them directly to the map—an innovative touch that elevates the exploration element.

Fluid and Responsive Combat

Combat in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is both challenging and empowering. Sargon’s basic toolkit consists of dual blades, enabling swift slashes and fluid combos. But what truly elevates the system are the additions of parrying, aerial attacks, and time-based abilities. The Athra’s Gauge, a special meter that fills as players land attacks or parries, adds a strategic layer to combat. Once full, it allows Sargon to unleash devastating special moves.

Enemies vary in complexity. Some require simple hack-and-slash tactics, while others demand precise timing, quick reflexes, and understanding of attack patterns. Boss fights, in particular, are multi-phase encounters that test everything the player has learned. These are not only skill checks but also cinematic experiences, often blending narrative revelations with mechanically intense gameplay.

Time powers are a standout feature. Unlike earlier entries that relied heavily on time reversal, The Lost Crown provides a more diversified set of abilities. "Rush of the Simurgh" enables dashing through obstacles or enemy attacks in an instant, while "Shadow of the Simurgh" allows Sargon to set a temporal checkpoint and instantly return to it—a mechanic invaluable for both combat and platforming.

Aesthetic Direction and Mythological Inspirations

Ubisoft Montpellier, the developer behind the game, took a bold visual approach. The Lost Crown uses a stylized 2.5D perspective that combines detailed character models with lush, animated backgrounds. The design draws heavily from Persian mythology, imbuing the game world with cultural depth and visual richness. From golden temples and crumbling catacombs to floating islands and shimmering portals, each environment is visually distinct and contributes to the game’s mystical tone.

Enemy designs are equally diverse. Players face time-corrupted beasts, spectral warriors, and even shape-shifting mythological entities. These creatures are not only threats but storytelling devices, reflecting the time distortions that plague Mount Qaf.

The music and sound design further elevate the experience. Composers Mentrix and Gareth Coker deliver a hauntingly beautiful score that blends traditional Persian instruments with modern orchestration. Each biome features its own auditory palette, enhancing immersion and emotional tone.

Mobile-Specific Enhancements

With its mobile release, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown reaches an even broader audience. But this is no lazy port. Ubisoft has redesigned the game’s interface specifically for touch devices, making full use of mobile screen real estate. Controls are fully remappable, allowing players to adjust button size, position, and layout. Whether you play in 16:9 or a wider 20:9 screen ratio, the game adapts smoothly to your device.

Performance optimization ensures that even mid-range devices can run the game at stable frame rates. External controller support is also available, offering console-level precision. The mobile version includes several accessibility options like auto-potion, auto-parry, optional shields, and direction indicators. These features are especially helpful for newer players or those who prefer a more relaxed experience.

What sets this mobile version apart is not just its technical polish but its attention to player convenience. The development team clearly invested time into ensuring the game feels native to mobile without sacrificing depth or challenge.

Accessibility and Quality of Life Features

One of the most commendable aspects of The Lost Crown is its robust accessibility suite. Ubisoft has clearly learned from previous releases, offering a wide array of options that make the game enjoyable for different types of players. These include subtitle customization, color-blind modes, simplified inputs, and scalable difficulty settings. The aforementioned auto-features (such as auto-parry and auto-healing) provide extra comfort for those who may struggle with reflex-intensive sequences.

Checkpoint placement and fast travel also minimize frustration, allowing players to focus on mastery and discovery rather than tedium. The game’s pacing is carefully tuned to avoid backtracking fatigue, ensuring that returning to earlier areas feels rewarding, not repetitive.

Storytelling and Themes

Though the game is action-packed, it doesn’t shy away from narrative depth. Through flashbacks, environmental storytelling, and occasional cutscenes, players slowly unravel the history of Mount Qaf, the curse of time, and Sargon’s own mysterious past. Themes of fate, duty, and identity resonate throughout the game, offering philosophical undertones beneath the surface action.

Sargon himself is a compelling protagonist—not the stoic, silent hero of old, but a character with emotions, doubts, and evolving motivations. His dynamic with the other Immortals adds a layer of camaraderie and conflict, enriching the narrative further.

The writing carefully balances mythology with personal stakes. It’s not just about saving a prince or lifting a curse; it’s about confronting one’s destiny and making moral choices in a world where time itself is fractured.

Replay Value and Longevity

With over 25 hours of content on a first playthrough, The Lost Crown is a sizable experience. But it doesn’t end there. The game includes multiple endings, side quests, hidden rooms, and collectible items that expand on lore. Completionists will find plenty to do, and the game subtly encourages replay with new difficulty modes and unlockable upgrades.

The tight integration of exploration and progression means that no two playthroughs are exactly the same. Players may approach challenges in different orders, unlocking abilities and secrets in ways that reflect their personal playstyles.

A New Standard for Franchise Revivals

Franchise revivals often fall into the trap of relying too heavily on nostalgia, but Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown strikes a rare balance between honoring its legacy and forging a new path. By embracing the Metroidvania format, the game offers freedom, challenge, and reward in equal measure. Its smart design, compelling protagonist, and beautiful worldbuilding set it apart in an increasingly crowded genre.

Moreover, the game proves that mobile titles can be more than casual diversions—they can deliver full-fledged, AAA-caliber experiences without compromise.

Final Thoughts

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is more than just a comeback—it is a statement. It shows that the franchise still has a place in modern gaming, and perhaps more importantly, that there is still room for well-crafted, 2D-inspired action-adventure games in an era dominated by massive open-world titles. From its intricate map design and responsive combat to its mythologically rich world and thoughtful mobile adaptation, it offers something for everyone.

Whether you are a veteran of the franchise or a newcomer curious about its mystique, The Lost Crown invites you to lose yourself in the sands of time once more—but this time, with sharper blades, stronger purpose, and a truly unforgettable crown to chase.