Prince of Persia The Lost Crown

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 739 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Prince of Persia The Lost Crown Game Cover
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is yet another must-have game with a plethora of fresh content.
Starting at $23.25Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store Get on Epic Games Store Get on PS Store

"Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown" is an action-adventure platformer set in a mythological Persian world, where you play as Sargon and master acrobatic combat and time manipulation abilities. Explore the vast and detailed world of Mount Qaf, full of puzzles, hidden treasures, and time-corrupted enemies. Immerse yourself in a rich and original story as you evolve from a sword-wielding prodigy to an extraordinary legend.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 739 reviews
story88 positive mentions
stability20 negative mentions
  • Fluid and responsive controls that enhance the platforming and combat experience.
  • Engaging level design with a vast map filled with secrets and collectibles.
  • Challenging yet rewarding gameplay that encourages exploration and mastery of abilities.
  • Ubisoft Connect is required, which can be a hassle and may lead to save issues.
  • The story is somewhat cliché and lacks depth, with some characters feeling underdeveloped.
  • Some platforming challenges can be frustratingly difficult, leading to repetitive gameplay.
  • story230 mentions

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it either mediocre or engaging but ultimately lacking depth. While some appreciated the intriguing setting and character development, others criticized the narrative for being predictable, poorly paced, or underdeveloped, with several characters feeling flat or forgotten. Overall, the gameplay and mechanics are often highlighted as the main draw, overshadowing the story's shortcomings.

    • “The story is captivating, the combat is smooth and satisfying, and the side quests are surprisingly well-crafted.”
    • “The story kept me hooked, and the controls felt perfectly tuned, making each level a joy to navigate.”
    • “I genuinely cared about their journey and found myself emotionally invested in the unfolding story.”
    • “The writing was disappointing: Prince of Persia has time travel in the brand, yet everything related to time travel is a huge disappointment; the story manages to be extremely flat.”
    • “The conclusion to the story was bewilderingly vague and honestly kind of disappointing.”
    • “The story makes no sense and the characters have zero depth.”
  • gameplay156 mentions

    The gameplay of "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown" is widely praised for its fluid mechanics, engaging combat, and innovative platforming elements, making it a standout in the metroidvania genre. Players appreciate the depth of combat systems, including parrying and various movement abilities, though some find the reliance on specific mechanics like parrying can be frustrating. Overall, the game strikes a balance between challenge and accessibility, offering a rewarding experience with beautiful visuals and a well-designed world to explore.

    • “Combat is incredibly smooth and the mechanics are deep and interesting.”
    • “It strikes a perfect balance between all the various elements we associate with metroidvanias to create a charming game with buttery smooth gameplay, amazing art, enchanting soundtrack, rewarding difficulty, and lots of truly creative flourishes that keep the game fresh until the very end.”
    • “The gameplay strikes a nice balance between challenge and accessibility, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and long-time fans of the series.”
    • “Frustrating gameplay (if you don't like parrying mechanics don't bother playing this), you have to backtrack through tons of rooms when you die making the whole process tedious.”
    • “The times I had to replay 30 minutes of gameplay over and over, because I was 15 feet away from the next 'save tree' should be zero, but it wasn't.”
    • “First of all, some of the combat mechanics are really bland here.”
  • graphics86 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning art style, vibrant colors, and smooth animations, creating an engaging visual experience that enhances gameplay. Many reviewers noted the unique blend of comic book aesthetics and anime influences, contributing to a visually appealing world that feels alive. While some mentioned minor graphical glitches, the overall presentation, including backgrounds and character designs, is considered exceptional, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The game’s visuals are absolutely beautiful, with each biome featuring distinct and intricate designs that bring the world to life.”
    • “Stunning visuals: the game boasts gorgeous art style and animations that bring the world to life.”
    • “Everything is bathed in gorgeous visuals with great sense of identity and flair.”
    • “The graphics are ok, I guess, but only ok.”
    • “The lack of gore and art style sometimes makes it look like a Disney kids' game.”
    • “Honestly the inclusion of Ubisoft Connect was a bit of a nuisance, and as a fan of previous Prince of Persia games, the noticeable shift in the overall tone and aesthetics (especially most of the character designs) was initially slightly jarring for me.”
  • music57 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its atmospheric quality and cultural relevance, particularly highlighting the contributions of composer Gareth Coker. While some players found the soundtrack to be enchanting and fitting for the game's setting, others felt it lacked memorable hooks and impact, describing it as decent but forgettable. Overall, the music enhances the gameplay experience, especially during combat and key moments, though opinions vary on its lasting impression.

    • “Music is awesome! Loved the music in Sands of Time and glad they went with music that fits the setting and not try-hard edge lord metal riffs like in previous games.”
    • “The musical score adds a cinematic quality to the experience, enriching epic moments like boss fights and climbing Mount Qaf.”
    • “The soundtrack is also very good and represents Persian culture perfectly!”
    • “The music has almost no memorable hooks; it's forgettable and at times, like in the library level, it can even be called annoying.”
    • “The music is one of the game’s biggest letdowns.”
    • “Sadly, the underwhelming soundtrack here fails to do justice to the beautiful environments, leaving the biomes feeling a bit hollow.”
  • stability27 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly related to achievements and occasional crashes. However, it runs exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, with high frame rates and appealing visuals, suggesting that performance may vary depending on the platform. Overall, while some players experience frustrating issues, others enjoy a stable gameplay experience.

    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck OLED, 90 FPS on ultra, looks amazing.”
    • “Great game that runs great on Steam Deck maxed out and has achievements.”
    • “Game always looks great, runs great.”
    • “Buggy game on top of a shitty launcher, what a joke.”
    • “But yeah, it must be said, quite buggy and stuff can definitely break.”
    • “What really surprised me was how buggy it was for such a big game.”
  • optimization13 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting solid performance, smooth frame rates averaging around 90 fps on devices like the Steam Deck, and minimal load times. Players have noted that the game runs well even under lower power settings, and there are no significant bugs or performance issues encountered during gameplay. The combination of a vibrant art style and responsive combat further enhances the overall experience.

    • “The game's performance is excellent, with smooth frame rates and minimal load times.”
    • “Well optimized game on Steam Deck, 90 fps in max settings.”
    • “Gorgeous art style, flawlessly optimized, quick, responsive combat and intricate and delightful level design.”
    • “This means that a) you need to download additional software and register with them to play, b) it runs in the background, hurting performance, and, most importantly c) now there are two storefronts controlling your access to the product, with one being substantially less trustworthy than the other.”
    • “- denuvo (but don't be clowns and say it is affecting performance. this game runs on potato)”
    • “Maybe the improved performance on my PC gave me an advantage, but I think it mostly comes down to familiarity with the combat and the fights themselves.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its tediousness, particularly due to excessive backtracking and cumbersome shop interactions that disrupt the flow of gameplay. Many players find the combat mechanics frustrating and poorly communicated, leading to a sense of monotony and a lack of engagement. While some appreciate the platforming challenges and story elements, the overall experience is marred by the repetitive and frustrating grind that detracts from enjoyment.

    • “Purchasing a single item from a shopkeeper is incredibly tedious - between talking to them, clicking through their dialogue, opening the shop, navigating to the correct item, selecting it, confirming, waiting for the popup, closing the popup, then waiting on a black screen for up to 30 seconds, then returning to the shopkeeper menu, and closing it out.”
    • “This turns otherwise highly technical, difficult, but enjoyable platforming into a tedious slog, where the main thing tested is your ability to endure frustration.”
    • “If you've never played a proper metroidvania, I'm sure you'd be able to convince yourself that this is somehow good, that backtracking has to be mandatory and tedious, that platforming has to be done blind, and that convoluted level design is somehow 'exploration'.”
  • character development9 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the depth and likability of the protagonist, Sargon, despite initial reservations about the cartoony character designs. The vibrant environments and strong character concepts contribute positively to the overall experience, although some players feel the character aesthetics clash with the game's tone. Overall, the character design and development are seen as a highlight, enhancing the gameplay and narrative.

    • “I loved the immortals as a concept and their character design is top notch - really all of them could be the protagonists of their own games.”
    • “If you can approach the game without prejudice, you’ll see that Sargon is a very likable protagonist with very good character development.”
    • “With great character design and voice acting, this makes for an easy recommendation.”
    • “Only downside I would say is the character design; it looks too cartoony for my taste, but I got over it since the gameplay is just pure amazing.”
    • “Honestly, the inclusion of Ubisoft Connect was a bit of a nuisance, and as a fan of previous Prince of Persia games, the noticeable shift in the overall tone and aesthetics (especially most of the character designs) was initially slightly jarring for me, but I'm glad I stuck with it because after finishing the game, I must admit this is one of the best metroidvanias I've played.”
    • “The character design somehow feels out of sync with everything else on the screen.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game receives mixed reviews; while some praise the music, graphics, and overall ambience as immersive and fitting, others find it lacking and unimpressive, particularly in terms of storytelling and character depth. Notably, players recommend using Persian as the spoken language to enhance the atmospheric experience. Overall, the game balances action and exploration, but opinions vary on how effectively it creates a compelling atmosphere.

    • “The music is atmospheric and fits the game super well.”
    • “Great graphics, sound, and music; the atmosphere is all there.”
    • “Fantastic ambience, atmosphere, and music; as a whole, that's the first pop game since Warrior Within that feels 100% on point.”
    • “Unfortunately, this isn’t the only aspect of 'Lost Crown' I found lacking: while I wasn’t surprised by the unimpressive and partially predictable story with mostly flat characters – as this isn’t an uncommon occurrence in the genre – I was disappointed by the lacking atmosphere, however.”
    • “Unlike many of its peers that prioritize atmosphere and exploration, 'The Lost Crown' offers a more action-packed experience, blending the agility and combat of the classic Prince of Persia series with the exploratory structure of Metroidvania.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and live service elements, which many players find refreshing compared to typical industry practices. Reviewers appreciate that it feels like a complete game with a solid story, contrasting with the perception of cash grabs in the market. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as a positive aspect, enhancing the game's value.

    • “The controls and combat are silky smooth, no bugs, no crashes, no dumb nonsense (except u connect, which is a bummer but not a dealbreaker in my opinion), no microtransactions.”
    • “I hope for a second part without aggressive microtransactions.”
    • “This is one of the actually good Ubisoft games and after years of constant garbage that they re-release, this one is an actual complete game with story and with no microtransactions or live service elements, which is a breath of fresh air.”
    • “Sidenote: I grew up playing Sands of Time and others, and this feels like a great addition to the universe and not deductive like a lot of cash grabs are.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely derived from unexpected moments triggered by player actions, such as amusing interactions with bosses and the absurdity of certain plotlines and character developments. While some comedic elements seem unintentional, they contribute to a lighthearted experience, making even failures entertaining. Overall, the humor is a mix of intentional and accidental, enhancing the game's charm.

    • “I think I might not have seen all of them, because they are triggered by your actions mainly. I love the moments like the first time Menolias parried me; it was hilarious! Sometimes losing is fun too if it's flashy enough.”
    • “It really feels funny how long you can keep some bosses in the air by showing off your skill.”
    • “The king Darius/Vendrick was funny, but probably not intentional.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players report feeling a strong emotional connection to the story, expressing genuine care for the characters and their journeys. The narrative evokes significant feelings, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

    • “I'm about halfway through the story and I'm getting a bit emotional over the story.”
    • “I genuinely cared about their journey and found myself emotionally invested in the unfolding story.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game has been noted for its low replay value, suggesting that players may not find sufficient incentive to revisit it after completing the main content.

    • “The game has low replay value.”
    • “There isn't much incentive to play through the game again.”
    • “Once you finish it, there's little reason to return.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

86% average critic score

Buy Prince of Persia The Lost Crown

Play time

9hMedian play time
12hAverage play time
8-27hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News