The Rogue Prince of Persia

Once a venerable video game franchise, it would be fair to say that Prince of Persia has lost some of its lustre in recent years. The series used to be one of the most popular in video gaming, but other titles have come along and iterated what the series has done – and improved upon it in many ways. 2024, though, looks to be a year for rejuvenation for the series – including The Rogue Prince of Persia.

This new title, developed by Evil Empire, looks to be an exciting new addition to a series that is regaining its swagger. This roguelike version of the normal PoP style is very exciting, with a fast-paced combat style and a beautifully artistic design that stands out a mile away. Can this new title, though, live up to the haughty expectation of fans after the recent success the series has enjoyed?

The Latest Step In The Right Direction

The first game that you are likely to compare The Rogue Prince of Persia to is the other 2024 PoP release. While that is more of a Metroidvania-style game, this is different. Instead, The Rogue Prince of Persia is a roguelike in the form of something like Dead cells. The result is a highly enjoyable game that is backed up by some of the stunning art that we have seen in a game of this style in years.

The premise is simple: fight your way through the capital city, get to the end, and save Persia from the Hun invasion. Armed with magic and supernatural powers, though, your foes are no pushovers; this is more than simply slashing through the footsoldiers of the Hun army. What you are dealing with instead is a game that combines the finesse and acrobatics of the original with something intense.

Keep in mind, too, that this is a roguelike; it is not intended to be finished easily. The difficulty looks to be up there with some of the hardest games we have seen in the series. However, the innate nature of PoP games means that you always have a leg-up on the opponents in terms of agility and manoeuvrability. This results in a very fun, fast-paced game that looks to hit all of the notes one wants in a roguelike.

The Next Phase Of PoP Games Is Here (8.5/10)

What we have seen and tried in The Rogue Prince of Persia is a game that stands out from the competition. The story is a touch barebones from what we have seen, but the same can be said for many games that The Rogue Prince of Persia has mimicked. The gameplay loop, though, is addictive, fun, and engaging – the combat is excellent; buttery smooth and elegant, without being too taxing.

Pros

• Exceptional fun built around a combat system that is hard to put down
• Visual style is unique and engaging without losing that vintage PoP style
• The gameplay loop is addictive and hard to walk away from; highly engrossing

Cons

• Storyline could do with a bit more beef to it