Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (Xbox One/SX)

Es erwartet euch ein erstklassiges 2D Action Adventure, das auf das Gameplay der klassischen Prince of Persia Teile zurückgeht. Knifflige Jumpingpuzzles, actionreiche Kämpfe und eine überschaubare, aber gut erzählte Geschichte.

Technisch flüssig, aber schmucklos und stilistisch nicht ganz sattelfest. Dafür aber spielerisch über jeden Zweifel erhaben: Punktgenaues, anspruchsvolles Platforming, coole Puzzles und facettenreiche Kämpfe machen The Lost Crown zum Muss für Metroidvania-Fans.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown hat den Sprung in ein neues Genre der Metroidvanias wirklich gut hinbekommen. Die Kämpfe sind fordernd, das Fortbewegen durch die Level enorm spaßig und es gibt optisch beeindruckende Konter zu bestaunen. Dass die Charaktere und Story dabei belanglos sind und das viele Backtracking etwas auslaugen kann, sollte Genre-Fans daher nicht abhalten.

Ubisoft ditches its normal formula and finds the ideal way to bring gaming's original Prince back to life.

The glimpses of tedium definitely hamper the experience, but a few games have managed to get me so excited just for reaching the next boss. If you are a fan of Metroidvania-style games or even just a fan of fast-paced combat with a focus on boss fights, you’ll love this iteration of the Prince (of Persia).

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a sea change for the long-running series, and almost as dramatic a shift as Sands of Time was when it took the classic platformer series into 3D. This new genre debut is so confident and impeccably crafted that this should simply be the identity of Prince of Persia for the foreseeable future. Nearly every part of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown works so well, and the parts connect so seamlessly, that it feels as if the series has found its new genre home.

The Lost Crown makes it hard to put the controller down, constantly urging players to follow its paths just a little further. Following its persistent pull to explore more of Mount Qaf is easy, though, thanks to how good it feels to do so. Between its first-rate platforming and engaging combat and progression, The Lost Crown’s various parts coalesce into a sublime loop.

It shines with brilliant game design through and through and doesn’t manipulate the player’s dopamine through gotcha microtransaction mechanics. It’s a pure, raw, game experience that respects the player’s skill and time.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is one of the finest metroidvanias I’ve ever played and a fantastic way to start 2024. Thrilling and kinetic platforming, thumping combat, and a vast game world that demands exploration, and makes it a joy to do. It’s time to kick nostalgia firmly in the unmentionables; this is the best Prince of Persia ever.