Page 39 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #8

Prince of Persia:

The Forgotten Sands

By Evan Phelps
It's in with the old, out with the new for the developers of
The Forgotten Sands. Casting aside the cel-shaded,
“new age” prince from 2008's Prince of Persia,
Ubisoft returns to familiar ground for the movie
tie-in to The Sands of Time, itself inspired by the
2003 game of the same name.

The first thing you'll notice is that the game's
animation and overall look isn't as fluid or as
vibrant as the 2008 game. Considering the
original Prince of Persia trilogy was one of
the best-looking franchises on PlayStation
2 and Xbox, this is a disappointment. The
disenchantment spills over to the early
stages of the game, where the action
feels repetitive.

It's not until you're granted powers to
affect the environment that the game
begins to find its footing. It starts off
with the familiar reversal-of-time
power, used to save yourself from
an unfortunate jump, followed by
the abilities to create platforms
and swinging bars out of water.

Towards the end, you get an ability
that allows you to recall different
pieces of the environment as they
were from the past, allowing you to repair
platforms and walls to continue your aerial
acrobatics.

The game is at its best when it starts
throwing several complicated puzzles at
you, requiring the use of all your
powers in one fluid motion to
overcome them. These puzzles give you
a tremendous sense of accomplishment
when you finally solve them, as the
various combinations require
considerable concentration to pull off.
In addition to your main powers, you are also offered a chance to upgrade the prince in a limited
capacity, giving him different elemental powers and improving both his life and magic. While these
enhancements are mostly cosmetic, those having trouble with the game will welcome the chance to
get stronger.
Those hoping Ubisoft would continue with the adventures of the new prince may find this effort
missing a spring in its step. Yet those yearning for a little more from the Sands of Time will be
pleased at the chance to revisit many of the same play mechanics. Even though the game starts a
little slow, by the end you’ll be too busy solving elaborate puzzles to care.

- 39 -