Prince of Persia The Forgotten Sands

The Forgotten Sands is a great addition to the Prince of Persia franchise. It has the same old great gameplay but this time with a better plot and a wonderful sound track.

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In Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, the player controls the Prince as he battles through a sand-filled environment to save his kingdom. Utilizing acrobatic moves and combat skills, the Prince fights enemies and solves puzzles to progress. The game features a rich storyline with ties to the original Prince of Persia games, making it a must-play for fans of the series.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,049 reviews

story128 positive mentions

stability49 negative mentions

The game features enjoyable parkour mechanics and fluid movement, reminiscent of the original trilogy.
Graphics are impressive for a game released in 2010, with detailed environments and character models.
The introduction of elemental powers, such as freezing water, adds a unique twist to the platforming and puzzle-solving aspects.

Combat is overly simplistic and lacks depth, often reducing encounters to mindless button mashing.
The story is weak and feels disconnected from the overarching narrative of the Sands of Time trilogy.
The game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches, including a frustrating issue where the prince remains on the ground after being knocked down.

story
429 mentions
30 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story of "Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands" is widely regarded as one of the weakest in the series, often described as predictable, shallow, and lacking depth compared to its predecessors. Many players found it forgettable and criticized its abrupt ending, while some appreciated the emotional dynamics between characters, particularly the prince and his brother. Overall, the narrative fails to engage players meaningfully, serving more as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a compelling story in its own right.
- “The relationship between the prince and his brother adds emotional depth to the story, while the overarching conflict with the evil army provides plenty of opportunities for epic battles and dramatic confrontations.”
- “The story in my opinion is pretty good as it's a twist on some Arabian mythology and the soundtrack is epic.”
- “The game's story is engaging and well-paced, weaving a captivating narrative that keeps players invested from start to finish.”
- “Sadly, the weakest story out of the entire series.”
- “Story starts out of nowhere like you're supposed to know the background of the story and then ends with the most abrupt boring ending you'll ever see.”
- “The story is completely unrelated to the events in the main storyline.”
gameplay
232 mentions
41 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands" is a mix of fluid parkour mechanics and elemental powers, particularly the ability to freeze water, which adds depth to traversal and puzzle-solving. However, many players find the combat system to be a significant downgrade from previous titles, feeling repetitive and lacking complexity. While the game retains the core elements that fans love, it suffers from issues like clunky controls, a lack of innovation, and a weak story, leading to a mixed reception overall.
- “The gameplay in Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands retains the core mechanics of the series, with fluid platforming, challenging puzzles, and intense combat encounters.”
- “The addition of elemental powers, such as the ability to freeze water and create ice platforms, adds a new layer of depth to the gameplay, allowing players to solve environmental puzzles and traverse obstacles in creative ways.”
- “With its fluid gameplay, stunning visuals, and engaging level design, it's a worthy addition to the franchise that will satisfy fans of action-adventure games.”
- “The game mechanics, especially the shallow combat system, haven't aged well compared to the Prince of Persia reboot in 2008, and the story is undeniably lackluster compared to the rest of the installments in the series.”
- “Not going to lie, I love Prince of Persia games, but this is awful. The stupid game mechanics make this game a pain in the ass. When you get knocked down, it takes you forever to get back on your feet and resume your game. Everything is so repetitive; you'll be doing the same thing over and over throughout the game. There are loads of bugs and graphical errors, and fighting isn't enjoyable. Parkour is god awful because of unnecessary game mechanics.”
- “Gameplay-wise, the combat is a huge step backwards.”
graphics
202 mentions
42 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands" are generally praised for their impressive visuals and detailed environments, showcasing the beauty of the game's world despite being over a decade old. However, many users noted the lack of customizable graphics settings, leading to issues like screen tearing and visual artifacts. Overall, while the graphics hold up well for their time, some players feel they appear dated compared to more recent titles in the genre.
- “The game's stunning visuals and atmospheric soundtrack create a truly immersive experience.”
- “Stunning visuals and detailed environments that showcase the beauty and grandeur of the kingdom.”
- “Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands features impressive graphics and visual effects, with detailed character models, realistic environments, and impressive elemental effects that bring the world of the game to life.”
- “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
- “Even on sale, don't waste your money on this one... the graphics are horrendous, the mechanics in general are clunky, the story makes very little sense, the maps feel reused from 'Sands of Time', the animations are beyond lazy, and there are bugs galore that actually make the game unplayable.”
- “This game is 12 years old and still a broken mess which could be fixed easily by adding a primitive options menu for graphics settings - but no!!!”
music
58 mentions
43 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the atmospheric soundtrack enhances immersion, it lacks the memorability and impact of previous installments like "Sands of Time" and "Warrior Within." Some describe the music as epic and fitting for the game's setting, while others find it bland and forgettable, contributing to an overall sense of disappointment compared to earlier titles. Despite these criticisms, the soundtrack is generally considered to complement the gameplay well, even if it doesn't stand out as iconic.
- “The game's stunning visuals and atmospheric soundtrack create a truly immersive experience.”
- “The music is both haunting and epic, enhancing the sense of adventure and wonder as you explore the ancient ruins and face off against formidable foes.”
- “It has one of the best and very immersive soundtracks and audio design.”
- “The music is painfully bland, and the reduction of time powers in exchange for these painfully overpowered and blandly executed djinn powers is the icing on top of this mediocre cake.”
- “There's no memorable music and the combat is the most watered down simple system I've ever seen.”
- “The music is pretty forgettable, just like the game itself.”
stability
51 mentions
4 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of glitches and bugs that significantly impact gameplay, including game freezes and combat issues. While some users claim to have experienced minimal problems, the overall consensus indicates that the game is plagued by stability issues, making it frustrating and at times nearly unplayable. Despite some positive experiences, the persistent technical problems overshadow the enjoyment for many players.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck at 60 FPS, no issues so far.”
- “Runs great”
- “Too bad this game is so broken and buggy; it's practically unplayable.”
- “This game is filled with glitches and is barely playable.”
- “The game launches fine, but once inside, any loading screens simply freeze the game or make it load forever.”
optimization
23 mentions
39 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
22 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many users reporting poor performance, inconsistent frame rates, and technical issues across various platforms. While some players note that it runs smoothly on modern machines, others experience significant stuttering and artifacting, indicating a lack of proper updates for contemporary hardware. Overall, the optimization appears to be a mixed bag, with some praising it while many others label it as a "poorly optimized mess."
- “Good platform game, really good performance and very responsive.”
- “Since it's a fairly modern title (2010), the game runs smoothly on modern machines and doesn't require any prep work with widescreen patches and such, like the older ones.”
- “Also, this game is optimized extremely well and the graphics are fantastic.”
- “The performance (fps) is completely screwed, as you will see if you decide to play it.”
- “It's truly astonishing how poorly optimized this game is.”
- “An older card to be sure, but a mid to higher end card released half a decade after this game came out, and I get poor frame rates, stuttering, and strange artifacting.”
atmosphere
17 mentions
47 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and detailed environments that evoke a rich Persian setting. While the soundtrack may not reach the iconic status of previous titles, it effectively complements the overall ambiance, enhancing the gameplay experience. However, some players feel that certain character and plot elements detract from the otherwise captivating atmosphere.
- “The game's stunning visuals and atmospheric soundtrack create a truly immersive experience.”
- “The audio design in Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is well-done, with an atmospheric soundtrack and immersive sound effects that enhance the tension and excitement of the gameplay.”
- “Well-detailed graphics make the locations you traverse eye-catching and add to the atmosphere of Persia.”
- “Imo the whole atmosphere of the game is ruined by characters and plot points that are not believable, even in a fantasy story.”
- “Gone is the enjoyable combat from the Warrior Within, the varied bosses from the Two Thrones and the atmosphere of Sands of Time.”
- “But the general atmosphere is colorful with here and there some parts with more muted colors.”
humor
13 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as inconsistent, with some players finding it reminiscent of Marvel-level humor—often not funny and detracting from the story's seriousness. While there are moments of comedic dialogue and amusing level design, the overall tone leans more towards serious, with occasional humorous remarks from the prince that provide some levity. However, many players feel that the humor does not significantly enhance the experience and can sometimes feel forced or underwhelming.
- “The dahaka is pursuing the prince the whole game, but as the city is full of water everywhere, the dahaka is not even bothering and is waiting outside, which is hilarious to think about.”
- “It actually made me laugh at first because the enemies just drop down dead like they're drunk, but you get used to it as you keep playing.”
- “The prince still has the original voice actor and still has his funny personality from Sands of Time; you get to hear his witty comments and funny remarks all the time.”
replayability
9 mentions
22 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, "Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands" has limited replayability after completing the main story, with some players noting that completionists may find value in uncovering secrets and collectibles. While the game features a challenge mode and unlockable bonuses that offer some incentive to replay, many reviewers feel that the lack of a compelling story and minimal replay value make it less appealing for multiple playthroughs.
- “Additionally, the game's challenge mode and unlockable bonuses provide some incentive for replayability.”
- “Really enjoyed it, but there's not much to return to in terms of replay value.”
- “Lack of significant replay value once the main story is completed.”
- “Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands offers limited replay value once the main story is completed, but completionists may enjoy replaying the game to uncover all of its secrets and collectibles.”
- “Buy it when it's heavily discounted since it has no replay value.”
emotional
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
57 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted through the complex relationship between the prince and his brother, which adds depth to the narrative, despite the overall story being perceived as boring and simplistic. While the game features opportunities for dramatic confrontations, the emotional engagement is undermined by repetitive gameplay and unpolished visuals. Overall, the emotional impact is mixed, with some players finding it lacking in depth and excitement.
- “The relationship between the prince and his brother adds emotional depth to the story, while the overarching conflict with the evil army provides plenty of opportunities for epic battles and dramatic confrontations.”
- “Sometimes there is a lot (and by a lot, I mean it!) of not too strong enemies, and sometimes there are two or three strong beasts and a bunch of smaller enemies to give them emotional support.”
- “Not fun, boring story.”
- “Instantly familiar, begins like Sands of Time but drifts into a different, boring story.”
- “Simplistic combat and a boring story.”
grinding
6 mentions
17 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with combat and puzzles that quickly lose their appeal. Many feel that the need to grind for upgrades and powers detracts from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel more like a chore than fun.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The enemies are very repetitive, and some of the puzzles are more tedious than fun.”
- “The horde-based combat is cool at first but gets tedious quick.”
- “Finally, upgrades and powers that in previous games could be unlocked through exploration are now locked behind a leveling system, which means unlocking everything means going through repetitive grinding.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is criticized as a cash grab, particularly due to its release alongside a movie, suggesting a lack of genuine content. Additionally, the closure of "Might & Magic Duel of Champions" highlights the risks of free-to-play models with microtransactions, as it not only removed the game but also erased player achievements and statistics, leaving users with a sense of loss.
- “It was made alongside the movie that dropped around the same time, so it's evidently kind of a cash grab.”
- “Could have been so much more, but ended up being nothing more than a cash grab.”
- “It was just a cash grab for Ubisoft as the Sands of Time movie had just been released.”
character development
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is mixed; while the prince's growth into a hero is highlighted, the overall narrative and character design are criticized as lacking depth and coherence. The dialogue is seen as competent but fails to provide meaningful character progression, with some reviewers feeling that it does not elevate the story.
- “The character development of the prince is notable, as we see him grow into a true hero throughout the game.”
- “The dialogue is competently written, but 'get the macguffin' hardly qualifies as a plot and a character saying 'oh golly I feel less anxious about _____ now' hardly qualifies as character development.”
- “Character design and writing both suck.”