Article first published on my personal blog at HIVE.
I hope that, like me, you enjoy games that have been around for a few years but that, because of their history and influence in the world of videogames, have accumulated a fan base and are an important link in the industry's journey. In the middle of 2024, I decided to play Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, a game released in 2003 by Ubisoft. Previously, I had enjoyed part of the saga in its cinematic format and in literature, and the game was already an outstanding debt with my particular game advisor.
Overview
The first impressions of the game are quite comfortable. The graphics are not the best or even at the height of other titles of the time, but they still have their charm, perhaps from the hand of the artistic section that frees and exonerates them, turning polygons into beautiful landscapes, architecture and authentic characters that easily manage to place us in an ancient era of sands and magic. The cinematics deserve a special mention, which despite their low resolution, look like fragments taken from a movie, with very charismatic characters.
The music sets the play excellently with those characteristic tones of Arabic music, and the voices of the characters are very accurate, at least in the version I played, highlighting the prince's own voice that openly unfolds in ironic tones and bad jokes during the plot, giving a comic air at times. Opposite point, in my opinion, are the sound effects that are easily improved and feel somewhat noisy, influencing the gameplay of some puzzles where they are necessary.
The development of the game is quite linear, but justified with its story and helping to an organic development of the events.
Time to Play
As soon as we start the game we are already in the skin of our protagonist. Guided by a somewhat vague tutorial, one of the most standard of the 128-bit era, we are shown the basic actions as we will need them, and it is here where this game shines. Our protagonist has a wide variety of movements and actions, both individual and supported by the surrounding environment, which achieve very fluid and precise movements, becoming a whole traceur, to do parkour by any wall, ruin and building we find. Being the platforming the jewel in the crown.
It is impossible not to mention the mechanics created to go back in time from the dagger, not exclusive or an innovation of this title but excellently developed, allowing us to correct mistakes and avoid imminent deaths at the hands of enemies or, the most common, falling into the void.
The puzzles are more than adequate, neither very difficult nor extremely easy, but interesting enough to keep you hooked and eager to solve them.
The combat, in my opinion, is the weakest point of this game, being quite clumsy and monotonous. Although it does feature quite a few and varied moves, it turns out to be more of a choreographic rehearsal than a real sword and jump fight, becoming monotonous and repetitive, even with the final villain where you expect a bit more difficulty.
The Story
The plot of this game is what I enjoyed the most. It doesn't escape recurring tropes, the princess in distress, the reluctant hero... but perhaps everything is devised in a world so vast and rich that it instantly immerses us in the stories of The Thousand and One Nights, where anything is possible. Adventure, magic and fantasy bind us to the hero's path, along with the exotic setting.
We will plunge into an adventure where a young prince, following his father's ambitions, will get hold of a magic dagger that not only has the power to turn back time at the whim of the owner, but will release a terrible curse that will make him decide whether he should trust his enemy. Along the way he will meet betrayal, but also love and sacrifice. Concluding with a very memorable and magical ending.
Flashback
Despite its more than two decades, playing Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is an enjoyable and recommendable experience, especially if you are a lover of platform games. It does not escape its age (here the dagger has had no effect), some mechanics have not aged well, but this does not take away all the merit of having been one of the most relevant and best reviewed games of its time. If you have never played it and are playing it for the first time, don't do it expecting great graphics, do it for a very enjoyable story in a short play time.
I hope you enjoyed this review and that it encouraged you to try the game or reminded you of a game from your childhood. It has been a pleasure to write for you. As always, I appreciate all the support and comments, as well as any feedback and suggestions. See you in the next blog. Best regards and success.
Screenshots taken by me, used under “Fair Use” for criticism and commentary, and are the property of their respective owners.
