Prince of Persia (2008): Review
So I recently got my hands on the latest game in a franchise that is critically received yet does not sell, Prince of Persia from Ubisoft for PS3.
The latest Prince of Persia (or PoP) is a definite deviation from previous titles in the series, a deviation which led to some players to christen it: "the one-button game." More on that later, first, we'll discuss setting and characters.
STORY & CHARACTERS:
The game opens with a series of black white flashback snippets showing the King and his daughter. Shortly thereafter we are introduced to the protagonist, dubbed the Prince (his name is never revealed throughout the story). The Prince, while searching for his donkey is nearly trampled by a woman being chased fervently by guards. After a short tutorial and fight sequence we learn that the woman is actually the Princess named Elika and she is on her way to the temple.
Upon arrival we see Elika's father destroy the tree of life therefore releasing the dark God Ahriman. As Ahriman's dark, dreary shadow cast over the land, Elika convinces the Prince to help return life and beauty to the world by resealing Ahriman and prevent his full power from being unleashed.
What transpires over the next 12-15 hours are a treat. Immediately after the initial release of Ahriman, cutscenes practically stop and the only way to progress the story is to interact and talk with Elika. In these short, but intriguing discussions, you will discover she cares deeply for the world as well how the Prince truly feels. It is an amazing way for character development and hope that more developers take away from this game and implement in different ways on their games as well.
While not really breaking new ground with its story, it treads a safe line and never strayed. As for the ending, no spoilers here, I really enjoyed it but I could see how others might not.
GAMEPLAY & CONTROLS:
As I noted earlier, many gamers and reviewers labeled this game as the "the one-button game." While I can see their point, and in some sequences of the game agree wholeheartedly, I have to say that "style" of gameplay makes up maybe 25% of the entire game. Majority of gameplay consists of you running along walls, jumping great distances, and grappling down walls to reach point A or B. While achieving these feats may seem a little much, you always have Elika there to "hold your hand," in more ways than one.
My main gripe I had with the game is, it was a little inconsistent with what jumps could be made with/without Elika's help. There were times I could make a jump no problem on my own so I would try the same jump in a different area and "fall" to my doom. I say "fall" because dying in this game is not the same as other games. There is no death mechanic, if you fall or miss a jump, Elika will lift to the last piece of solid ground you landed upon.
At first I was hesitant as to whether or not I would like this mechanic but after seeing how well it worked I loved it for the entirety of the game. It was nice that I didn't have to wait 5 seconds for a load and start ALL over from the beginning because of a bonehead move.
Elika also come in "handy" 
during battles as well. Elika would not only lend a hand during fights but would prevent certain whenever possible. As for the fighting sequences, while they were few and far between, they were satisfying and not overcomplicated. The different combinations that were available for combat made sure it never got stale and kept it fresh throughout the entirety of the game.
GRAPHICS:
Beautiful barely scratches the surface of PoP, it’s a stunningly gorgeous game from opening to when the credits finish rolling. Though initial levels looks a little bland and drab, as the fertile grounds are unlocked and the lands spring to life with verdant greens and beauty, you may shed a tear. Very reminiscent of Okami's sequence of bringing beauty back to the world, PoP's worlds are a truly breathtaking sight once they are completely restored. I can't talk enough about the worlds and their beauty.
As for character design, they are unique and definitely help accentuate the character and tell a story all their own. The Prince looks as a pillager and thief should, torn and tattered clothes and scars from the battlefield. His gauntlet got a lot of time and attention to detail as well. While never overtly discussed, the developers wanted gamers to see his remarkably detailed gauntlet.
As for Elika, donning an elegant, white shirt to standout and brighten the drab, dank areas during exploration, help her character define her purpose. The glow brought about from her powers and aura also helps show see is an integral part of the story and is more than meets the eye.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
While not giving a giant push in the right direction, PoP does a nice job of greasing the already turning treads of platforming and is a nice experience for fans of the series and anyone who likes solid platforming. I really hope to see more of the conservation storytelling used for other games in the future. I enjoyed it immensely!!
Overall I would rank it 8.5 out of 10.
Late days, zabu!!
