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At a Glance |
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Gameplay:
Graphics:
Controls:
Replayability:
Total: |
9.0
9.5
9.2
10
9.425 |
WebSite
- www.prince-of-persia.com
Rating -
9.425
Synopsis -
In medieval Persia, Earth’s mightiest and most mysterious kingdom, a king and his son defeat the powerful Maharajah and kidnap his daughter, looting his palace of priceless treasure, including an extravagant hourglass, and a mysterious dagger. What the Prince does not realize, is that these two objects can turn their possessor into an immortal god, and give him control over time itself.
Review -
For those of you who played old school computer games, you might remember a unique side-scroller that featured a character who moved so life-like, you almost didn’t hate him when he ignored your key strokes and ran off the ledge into the spikey death pit. It was similar to Out of this World, yet a bit more forgiving and a bit less story. He was the Prince and you were the puppeteer. In recent years, he’s seen several incarnations, none of which I’ve played. And finally, the full on, French kiss embracement of 3D, the Prince emerges in a contender for game of the year, The Sands of Time. Available for most platforms.
My flavor happens to be PS2. And realistically, Prince has always been a console / game pad title.
First off, before anything else, Sands of Time is a flat out beautiful game. Not just the visual static scenery, but the fluidity of motion, the small puffs of sand from footsteps, and the wet foot prints all bespeak a sharp attention to detail. Certain moments have a light, gauze-like airiness that is like a dream. Save points treat the player to a flickering movie that flashes moments that will occur in the near future.
In addition, the Prince is the most insanely agile character. From his wall runs, to flipping behind an enemy to favor them with a sword in the back, to the swinging flips that would make the US Gym team start eating Crisco.
As far as I’ve gotten, I’ve learned the basics of the story. Our hero is fooled into unleashing the sands of time, causing everyone to suddenly disintegrate with several exceptions. Immortal sand warriors rise up and attack. Only the prince with his Dagger of Time can defeat them by absorbing their time sand. And this sand can then be used to rewind time. Plummeting to your doom? Hit the rewind and try that jump again. Great stuff.
So what are the weaknesses? As one would expect, the camera in a game like this is critical. And while it is excellent for many things, it can be difficult to get a good view of where you’re heading. Right now I’m trapped in a giant room, but I can fully scope it to figure out where I’m supposed to go.
Additionally, the Prince doesn’t really have much that he can pickup. He starts with a sword and then shortly picks up the dagger. That’s about it. Sure, I’m told he’ll upgrade his sword shortly. But all the breakable stuff, chairs, tables, etc, don’t yield anything.
Finally, it can get a bit lonely. There are several people still around, but mostly, it’s the prince wandering around the empty palace. Prince is lonely.
Overall, Sands of Time is an excellent game. Fully worth the price of admission. If you don’t get it today, wait for a price drop or a guaranteed Greatest Hits version.
On my scale of 1 - 10, I'll give this
game a
9.425
