Review: 'Prince of Persia The Forgotten Sands'

Can Ubisoft turn back the clock on their classic series…?

Released On: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC (note that a completely different edition with a wholly original story and differing gameplay is also available on PSP, DS, and Wii)

Creeping onto the gaming scene in early 2010 mere months before launch, the muted and leaden arrival of Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands took many by complete surprise - in fact, the announcement was so thoroughly low-key that it almost felt as if Ubisoft were trying to sneak the game through and onto shelves without us actually noticing. What were they attempting to hide? Well, if the original Prince titles were Hollywood blockbusters then Forgotten Sands is most certainly a straight-to-DVD release.

Distinctly stuck in a grinding and spiritless first-gear the entire way through it’s eight or so hour run-time, this platformer never quite manages to scale the same dizzying heights that precursor The Sands of Time did largely due to a complete absence of charm and depth that combine to scrupulously lower the whole tone of a project that could have been so much more. A flat and uninspiring combat system would also prove to be undoubtedly responsible for this, for although it’s not strictly terrible (and can actually be somewhat amusing, given the chance), it is rather surprisingly lacklustre and empty regardless, a senseless hack-and slash brawler that never wholly manages get off the ground to dazzle or engage as was clearly intended. It doesn’t have nearly enough gravity, content or variety to make for a particularly gripping romp either, and as it can get so very tedious primarily thanks to frequent lashings of dull repetition, half-hearted, diverse and yet monotonous enemies and a complete lack of advancement or tangible progression beyond upgradeable, flashy but largely uninspired elemental attacks and HUD (e.g. health) extensions, you’re unlikely to want to attempt any of the unlockable challenge maps or modes that become available once the credits have rolled.

Sometimes, less really isn’t more.

To pour salt onto this painful wound, those credits simply can’t come quickly enough by the end: to tell the truth, the storyline to Forgotten Sands is mediocre at best and feels so low-budget and lukewarm that it’s almost embarrassing to behold. Predictable, stale, unimaginative and stunningly lonely, it’s clear from the off that while it may feel like a ‘best of’ tribute to the Prince series at it’s best, this latest instalment can never go so far as to revive any of the magic or sparkle that the originals brought with them. The voice-acting is rather good, admittedly (with the likes of the excellent Yuri Lowenthal returning from the original trilogy to voice this new, sarcastic and roguishly loveable Prince), but the scripting behind it leaves a lot to be desired while those vital plot-supports such as stirring score and impressive SFX largely breeze by without notable comment.

The biggest flaw of all, though - and far, far worse than any of the above - is the obvious, bitter and unpalatable fact that this title was evidently rushed through to greedily cash in on the recent release of The Sands of Time movie adaptation; it not only lacks the necessary quality and clout some were hoping for as a result, but also the charisma and soul that it deserved.

Nevertheless, all is not yet lost; boasting a great setting complete with superb, evocative and heart-warmingly nostalgic gameplay seemingly pulled directly from the essence of the hugely mystical Arabian Nights, there’s a lot to like here - the largest part being platforming, of course.

While not quite as lenient or forgiving as in previous titles, this latest instalment has still been beautifully tweaked and refined so as to provide one of the best - and not to mention satisfying - free-running and platforming experiences on any console of the current generation yet, sporting some truly wonderful challenges that will put your timing, skill and accuracy to the very real and trying test time and time again. To make things all the sweeter, however, some wonderfully novel abilities - such as the capability to freeze running water at will to create extra platforms, poles and walls to run, swing and leap from for a limited period and a ‘memory’ power that will allow you to rebuild sections of ruined masonry that have long since fallen into ruin - are on offer too, adding a whole new level of intensity to the entire experience, and when these moments and more are thrown together into a great, highly fulfilling mess, it creates one of the most fantastically, brilliantly complex and engaging collection of set-pieces you’ll have come across for quite a while.

Best yet would be the gloriously over-due home-coming from a pair of old, familiar favourites, though.

Tragically absent from the last Prince of Persia title, the ability to turn back time and rectify your mistakes has returned for Forgotten Sands with a vengeance and although it can be unnecessarily strict here and there (rewinding you to the last ‘safe point’ instead of handing you full control like before), it’s still a hugely useful and welcome addition to the formula considering how much of the adventure you’ll be spending ploughing into sharp objects, tumbling to your doom or meeting your maker on the sharp edge of some ridiculously over-sized trap. And that’s a lot of your time, mind; this game is hard, and not made any easier by platforming favourites such as an often dodgy camera (conveniently dashing behind walls and pots at the most in-opportune times) or irritating moments where the Prince will jump, hop or skip in the opposite direction to the one you want, predictably getting himself killed in the process. Next, slightly less controversial but equally appreciated is the re-appearance of some grandly charming puzzles that will give you a breather from all the chaos and confusion of the rest of the title. Not only are these quietly trying and gripping in themselves, but they will also help distract you admirably from the uncomfortably b-side storyline and dreary, mundane combat that are sure to follow.

Indeed, this is almost enough to make you forget that you’re playing such a one-sided, unfinished package in the first place, but - sadly - this only makes the experience all the more bitter because it was ever allowed to get to that stage at all.

The Bottom Line

If you were expecting a glorious return to the golden days of old with this latest Prince of Persia then I’m afraid that you’re going to be exceptionally disappointed; Forgotten Sands is more of a nod to times past than an actual reboot of the series, and this isn’t exactly helped by the fact that it is almost undoubtedly a cheeky cash-in on the recent Sands of Time movie. With laboured combat, a dull storyline and some predictably frustrating technical issues, the only real elements holding this game up at all are the superb puzzling and platforming aspects that offer a glimpse of what this title could have been given the correct amount of time and effort that it deserved.

Rating: 62%
(Alright)