Summary
Since its debut all the way back in the 1980s, thePrince of Persiafranchise has emphasized gameplay over all else. Theoriginal 1989Prince of Persiabroke new ground with its fluid movement animations and realistic platforming mechanics, andPrince of Persia: The Sands of Timerefreshed that legacy for the modern age of gaming with its innovative parkour feature. Even at its very worst, thePrince of Persiafranchise has always had enjoyable gameplay at the bare minimum, and thankfully,The Rogue Prince of Persiaoffers far more than the minimum.
A roguelike fromDead Cellsco-developer Evil Empire,The Rogue Prince of Persiahas just entered its early access period, and already the game features some very compelling gameplay mechanics. ButThe Rogue Prince of Persiahas some fierce competition, and one of its greatest rivals comes from the same family. Released just a few months ago,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownwas a critical smash hit, and a very tough act to follow. But there are some big ways in whichThe Rogue Prince of Persia’s gameplay sets itself apart fromThe Lost Crown.
How The Rogue Prince of Persia and The Lost Crown’s Gameplay differ
How The Rogue Prince of Persia’s Roguelike Gameplay Differs from The Lost Crown’s Metroidvania Approach
The most obvious gameplay difference betweenThe Rogue Prince of PersiaandPrince of Persia: The Lost Crownis the two games' different approaches to the genre. WhileThe Rogue Prince of Persiais a 2D roguelike action-platformer,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownis a 2D Metroidvania action-platformer. Naturally, these genres come with their own set of distinct features.
InThe Rogue Prince of Persia, players will embark on a “run,” where they attempt to complete the game’s multiple stages and bosses in one go.Dying inThe Rogue Prince of Persiaknocks them all the way back to the start of the game, but each time players can use the resources earned during the run to gain permanent upgrades that should help them on subsequent attempts. As a Metroidvania,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownsees players explore a vast, sprawling map, earning upgrades linearly throughout the game that open new pathways in the world.
Comparing The Combat of Rogue Prince of Persia and The Lost Crown
Combat is by far the area in whichThe Rogue Prince of PersiaandThe Lost Crownshare the most similarities. In an attempt to stay authentic to the series' roots, bothThe Rogue Prince of PersiaandThe Lost Crownfeature snappy, fast-paced, acrobatic combat that sees its respective player-characters dodge enemy attacks, counterattack, and use an array of gadgets to gain the upper hand. WhileThe Lost Crownfeatures an array of special abilities to keep combat varied,The Rogue Prince of Persiafeatures a plethora of different weapons and gadgets that shake up a particular playstyle.
Comparing The Platforming of Rogue Prince of Persia and The Lost Crown
Though bothPrince of Persiagamesalso try to pay homage to the series' roots via their platforming mechanics, they go about it a little differently.Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownputs a strong emphasis on platforming challenges that require the player to use all of Sargon’s special abilities to overcome, such as his air-dash, wall-climb, and Clairvoyance ability that sees the protagonist briefly appear in an alternate dimension. Some of the hardest platforming challenges inThe Lost Crownrequire the player to string all of these special moves together in one fluid sequence.
WhileThe Rogue Prince of Persiafeatures plenty of platforming challenges, it doesn’t require the use of multiple different abilities. Instead,The Rogue Prince of Persia’s platformingchallenges require the player to have mastery of just a single mechanic: the game’s innovative parkour system. InThe Rogue Prince of Persia, the player can climb and run on most of the on-screen background. This high level of freedom encourages players to be constantly on the move, both during combat and during platforming.
The Rogue Prince of Persia
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience a fast-paced, challenging but accessible roguelite as you master acrobatic moves and flow seamlessly between platforming and combat. Find new weapons, equip trinkets with special effects and upgrade them to make your own builds. Discover new characters, information and areas as you attempt to find a way to save Persia from a Hun invasion and become the hero you have always wanted to be.Lead the Prince in his fight against a Hun army corrupted by dark shamanic magic and find your place in the royal family as you explore a vibrant reinterpretation of Persia. Put the pieces of the puzzle together and discover new areas as you enter the fight again and again, meeting a cast of colorful characters through non-linear story progression.Flow seamlessly between platforming and combat, using your acrobatic moves to outmaneuver and outsmart your enemies. Use the iconic wall-run to open new routes of attack, avoid traps and explore hard to reach areas. Kick and dodge to manage groups of enemies when the odds are against you.Choose from a variety of deadly weapons and equip new medallions each run to unleash devastating effects, giving you the freedom to change your fighting style as you wish. Secondary weapons offer even more options, from bows to shields to grappling hooks. Switch your loadout mid-run to adapt to new challenges.
