Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

About

In Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, players control a prince who accidentally releases sand creatures while exploring a magical palace. To fix his mistake, the prince must navigate through dangerous traps, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies using his acrobatic skills and a dagger that can rewind time. The game is known for its fluid parkour-style movement and innovative time manipulation mechanics.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time screenshot

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,661 reviews

story552 positive mentions

stability166 negative mentions

The game features excellent platforming mechanics that are still enjoyable today.
The story is engaging, with charming character interactions and a nostalgic feel.
The time manipulation mechanic adds a unique twist to gameplay, allowing players to correct mistakes.

The PC port is riddled with bugs, including camera issues and graphical glitches.
Combat can be repetitive and frustrating, often leading to tedious encounters with respawning enemies.
The game lacks proper controller support and requires extensive tweaking to run smoothly on modern systems.

story
1,157 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
The story of "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is widely praised for its engaging narrative and character development, blending elements of adventure, romance, and humor. While some find the plot simple and predictable, many appreciate the charming storytelling style, particularly the prince's narration that adds depth to the gameplay experience. Overall, the game is celebrated for its captivating storyline that remains memorable and enjoyable, even years after its release.
- “The storyline in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a highlight of the game, with its captivating narrative and well-developed characters drawing players into the world of Persia.”
- “The story is beautiful and compelling.”
- “The story, the music, the atmosphere... it was all so wonderfully storybook-like.”
- “It is therefore impossible to follow the story in the cutscenes.”
- “The puzzles are repetitive, the characters are wooden and the story is virtually non-existent.”
- “The story is over-the-top, poorly paced and frankly, I didn't care; the voice acting of the title character and your female companion sound juvenile at best, amateurish at worst.”
gameplay
796 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
55%
6%
The gameplay of "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is characterized by its innovative time manipulation mechanics, which enhance platforming and puzzle-solving while providing a unique twist to combat. While the parkour elements and overall level design are praised for their fluidity and creativity, many players note that the combat mechanics can feel clunky and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience. Despite its dated aspects, the game remains a beloved classic for its engaging story and memorable gameplay, making it worth revisiting for fans of the genre.
- “With its innovative time manipulation mechanics, engaging storyline, and satisfying gameplay, it's a must-play for fans of the genre and a shining example of what makes video games such a compelling form of entertainment.”
- “The traversal mechanics are the highlight of the game and still hold up so well with top-notch animations, and arguably are more challenging than any modern games that tried to copy its systems.”
- “The time-rewind mechanic, though finicky at times, makes up for the game's shortcomings and takes a lot of the frustration out of gameplay.”
- “Ubisoft has always been good at graphics but mediocre to (very) bad at gameplay, and this scene really showcases Ubisoft's lack of knowledge and skills in this department on an epic scale. The controls latch onto an enemy while you have to go around fast, making it nearly impossible to do it. That's not an old game thing, that's a Ubisoft thing.”
- “However, the combat mechanics and some puzzles just make this game a frustrating chore.”
- “The game aged really badly and so the gameplay feels fidgety and clunky.”
graphics
552 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
59%
7%
The graphics of "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" are often described as dated but still charming, showcasing a vibrant art style that evokes the game's Persian setting. While some players note that the visuals have not aged well compared to modern standards, many appreciate the game's unique aesthetic and atmospheric environments, which continue to resonate despite technical limitations. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for a game released in 2003, with some recommending adjustments to settings to enhance the experience.
- “The game's art direction is visually stunning, drawing inspiration from Persian and Middle Eastern aesthetics.”
- “Despite being nearly two decades old, the game's art direction and graphical fidelity still hold up remarkably well today.”
- “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time features colorful and vibrant graphics that were cutting-edge for its time.”
- “The graphics completely failed, was not working when I downloaded it.”
- “The combat is garbage, the camera is garbage, the graphics did not age well.”
- “Graphics haven't aged well, but without a Resident Evil style remake on the horizon, this is about as good as it gets for PoP games.”
music
383 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
41%
2%
The music in "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is widely praised for its memorable and evocative soundtrack, blending orchestral and Middle Eastern influences with rock elements, enhancing the game's atmosphere and emotional depth. Many players appreciate the combat themes and ambient tracks, although some note that the absence of music during exploration can feel odd. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's nostalgic and immersive experience.
- “The music complements the game's setting and enhances the overall atmosphere, contributing to the immersive experience.”
- “The soundtrack is also memorable, featuring a mix of orchestral and Middle Eastern music that suits the mood and setting of the game.”
- “The music is absolutely fantastic and captures the feel of the fantasy version of 9th century Persia perfectly.”
- “Music during battle is noisy and annoying, conversation barely heard, gameplay is annoying; still, I think it is worth getting it on sale for very cheap and play it if you want some nostalgia kick in.”
- “There's no music during gameplay, only during cutscenes, battle sequences, and some special levels and actions; the rest of the time you will only hear ambient sounds, which actually fits well with the atmosphere of the game.”
- “In general, sounds were loud and unequalized with the music; especially in cutscenes, where sometimes voices almost cannot be heard at all... the soundtracks themselves, however, lacked creativity with their limited instruments and the general Arabic theme; not even Persian, for goodness' sake!”
stability
176 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
1%
94%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of severe bugs, glitches, and control issues that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players find the PC version particularly problematic, often describing it as a "buggy mess" that can become unplayable, especially in later levels. While some users have managed to mitigate these issues through troubleshooting and patches, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from a lack of polish, making it frustrating for many players.
- “Fantastic game and runs great for a game this old.”
- “The controller works great, and there are no glitches.”
- “Little or no glitches.”
- “The game is buggy, the controls are not keyed to all features of the game, and when adjusted manually, still don't work. There are multiple obstacles that are bugged and require constant restarts and do-overs, some even game-breaking.”
- “It is extremely frustrating the amount of glitches and bugs this game has. It is full of bugs and glitches, totally unplayable.”
- “The game itself is very fun, timeless classic with lots of fun mechanics... but this port is very buggy to the point of being unplayable.”
atmosphere
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
32%
4%
The atmosphere of "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is widely praised for its enchanting, dream-like quality, reminiscent of Arabian Nights tales, enhanced by stunning visuals, intricate environments, and a well-crafted audio design featuring an epic soundtrack. Despite some dated graphics, the game's art style and character designs contribute to its charm, creating an immersive experience that captivates players for hours. The combination of atmospheric storytelling, vibrant settings, and engaging dialogue between characters further enriches the overall ambiance, making it a memorable journey through a beautifully realized world.
- “The audio design in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is well-done, with an epic orchestral soundtrack and immersive sound effects that enhance the atmosphere and intensity of the gameplay.”
- “The music synchronizes beautifully with the game's inspired art direction, giving the game an atmosphere unique to gaming as a whole.”
- “The beautifully designed environments, detailed character models, and atmospheric lighting create a visually stunning experience.”
- “There's no music during gameplay, only during cutscenes, battle sequences, and some special levels and actions. The rest of the time you will only hear ambient sounds, which actually fits well with the atmosphere of the game.”
- “This emptiness feels charming at times and it gives the game a sense of mood or atmosphere, and I admit that at times I prefer it to the sections where the actiony music plays.”
- “That one had crappy graphics and was incredibly buggy, but had a hell of an atmosphere.”
humor
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the witty banter between the prince and Farah, as well as the prince's humorous narration and self-deprecating remarks. Many found the comedic elements to be a highlight, enhancing the overall experience despite some technical flaws. The game's clever writing and funny moments, particularly during platforming and puzzle-solving, contribute to its charm and entertainment value.
- “The platforming, the dynamic between the prince and Farah, and the humor was the best part.”
- “There were multiple lines from the prince that genuinely made me laugh out loud because he's such a prick despite being royalty.”
- “The dialogue between the prince and Farah is witty, funny, and nuanced, and due to the poor prince not having anyone else to talk to when he and Farah get separated, the game is also filled with deep, ponderous, or funny and meta monologues on the prince's behalf.”
- “Because fights are long, tiresome, and not funny at all.”
grinding
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for its tedious and repetitive combat, which many players find dull and frustrating. While some appreciate the variety and story elements, the overwhelming number of enemy waves and the simplistic combat mechanics contribute to a grindy experience that detracts from overall enjoyment. Players often express a desire for improvements in combat to alleviate the monotony and enhance gameplay flow.
- “+ no tedious collectible-hunting or running in a straight line to objectives”
- “The only negative thing is the combat; it did not age well and I would call it very janky. Thankfully, the sequels improve on this part, but it is not tedious and not a major roadblock like some older titles can be.”
- “The combat is tedious and repetitive.”
- “At best, it's a tedious, repetitive affair, forcing you to learn the exact combination of acrobatic and combat skills to bring an enemy down easiest, and repeat that over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.”
- “I also wasn't a fan of how each time you kill an enemy a new one spawns out of nowhere to replace it, this padding felt really grindy to me and ended up feeling much more frustrating than challenging.”
replayability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
43%
36%
Overall, "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" offers limited replayability, primarily due to its linear structure and lack of collectibles or difficulty options. While speedrunning may provide some replay value for dedicated players, most reviewers agree that once the main story is completed, there is little incentive to replay the game. The focus seems to be more on the immersive story and experience rather than replayability.
- “What has given the most replay value to this game for me is speedrunning.”
- “While Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time offers limited replay value once the main story is completed, completionists may enjoy replaying the game to uncover all of its secrets and collectibles.”
- “Sands of Time revolutionized and modernized Prince of Persia from the old side-scroller to something a lot more fun and replayable.”
- “Limited replayability once the main story is completed.”
- “But in total, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is not a very challenging game and since it is strictly linear and has barely anything left to experience after one playthrough, the replay value is practically nonexistent here.”
- “I completed it in 6 hours; mind you, there is no replay value at all and no difficulty slider or collectibles or anything.”
optimization
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The game's optimization is generally criticized, with many users noting a lack of support for modern resolutions and widescreen displays, as well as various bugs and glitches. While some players report that it can run smoothly on modern hardware with specific fixes, the overall experience is hampered by outdated controls and camera management issues. Despite these challenges, nostalgic players may find the effort to optimize worthwhile for a brief, enjoyable experience.
- “Requires some optimization in terms of resolution and possible controller support, but otherwise is a good old fun time!”
- “Having to configure a few things in order for it to run smoothly on modern systems is a small price to pay for this little gem. I recommend it with all my heart; it's just 5 hours of gameplay, but it's well spent.”
- “It supports modern resolutions, widescreen, runs smoothly, and even supports active 3D if that's your thing.”
- “Little optimization for modern systems, very buggy & quickly many visual glitches, no controller support, whack keyboard controls, and no Steam overlay support.”
- “Graphics are okay for a game from 2003, good maze and level design, but the combat system is not at the top and is hindered by the camera management (the worst optimized camera I have ever seen).”
- “Terrible optimization, but still playable and beatable.”
character development
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
36%
12%
Character development in the game is widely praised, particularly for the prince's growth and his evolving relationship with a sworn enemy, which adds depth to the narrative. Reviewers note that the story effectively combines classic adventure elements with memorable character moments and a romance subplot, contributing to an engaging experience. Despite its age, the game's character arcs and emotional resonance remain impactful, showcasing solid writing and voice acting.
- “Fluid, acrobatic gameplay, beautiful environments, excellent, surprising story, and probably the best character development I've ever seen in a game.”
- “I grew up partially with this game; I remember when it came out on PS2 years ago and just loving this game to pieces. It's not your usual linear adventure; it actually holds an interesting story with great character development and incredible gameplay, especially for the time it came out.”
- “It doesn't do anything particularly new on that front, but it hits all the classic beats of an adventure story with character development, a romance subplot between the two leads, and while the fate of the world might be in your hands, it also doesn't take itself too seriously, meaning a fun time as the prince tells his story.”
- “The game's story and character development will remind you that no matter which era the game belongs to, if certain things are done with the story and characters, they can be very memorable.”
- “What is truly remarkable about the game is the character development of the prince and his ability to grow affectionate for a sworn enemy.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
14%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the genuine and evolving relationship between the prince and Farah, which adds significant depth to the narrative. Players appreciate the heartwarming storytelling and touching ending, often reflecting on their nostalgic connection to the game. Overall, the emotional resonance is a key strength, enhancing the overall experience despite some criticisms of gameplay mechanics.
- “The relationship between the prince and Farah evolves naturally over the course of the game, adding depth and emotional resonance to the overall experience.”
- “The interactions between the characters feel genuine and develop throughout the game, adding emotional depth to the overall experience.”
- “The music and the atmosphere are fantastic, the graphics have aged relatively well, and the story, while simplistic, is told in a heartwarming way.”
- “The story failed to evoke any real emotions, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters.”
- “I found the emotional moments to be forced and unconvincing, which made it hard to care about the outcome.”
- “Despite the game's attempts at emotional depth, it ultimately felt shallow and uninspired.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The monetization strategy of "Might & Magic Duel of Champions" has drawn criticism for its reliance on microtransactions in a free-to-play model, which ultimately led to the game's closure and the loss of player achievements and statistics. Many view its re-release on Steam as a cash grab, exploiting nostalgia rather than providing genuine value to players.
- “A more serious case was that of Might & Magic Duel of Champions, a free-to-play game with microtransactions, whose closure not only removed the game from stores but also erased achievements and statistics from accounts, rendering important player information inaccessible.”
- “This seems to have been put on Steam as a nostalgia gouge, or just a cash grab to try to profit from abandonware.”

83%Critics’ scoreBased on 8 critic reviews

Buy Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

9h Median play time

9h Average play time

9h Main story

10h Completionist

5-14h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Platforms

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GameCube Review - 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time'

GBA Review - 'Prince of Persia: Sands of Time'

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Buy Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time