This review tried to restore the light in a city blanketed by Ahriman's shadow..... Keywords: Tried
Elika isn't your run-of-the-mill helpless princess. She is, in a way, an extension of the Prince. She's to the hand that throws you those extra few feet. Your sand that rewinds itself to prevent you from falling to your doom. She enhances the experience of those familiar acrobatics. She'll climb on the Princes back while he climbs on vines, reach for your hand when trying to get to a ledge or land lightly in the Princes arms when sliding down a wall or falling off a ledge.
The Prince is more dependent on Elika, than, she is to him. She is your savior every time you miss a jump or stumble into some of that icky black Corruption. She'll show you the way using her compass; a magical blue orb that whisks itself toward your chosen destination. She also lends her magical abilities to the Prince in the midst of battle.
Platforming is fluid and you'll find yourself stringing together various acrobatics with ease. Where this may seem visually appealing it is lacking in a rewarding sense. Every platform is a checkpoint that Elika returns you to when you screw up. Aside from the few seconds of re-doing a set of acrobatics, there's no punishment for being saved by Elika.
As you explore the world, you'll notice the fantastic level design. Each area flows into the next and it's easy to pick out what to do while on the fly. The level design is more noticeable as you unlock areas and begin to collect light seeds to unlock Elika's abilities. These abilities allow you to use various plates throughout the environment. Red and blue plates, although functionally the same yet, visually different, will throw you across an area. Yellow plates send the Prince and Elika soaring through the air and, Green plates send the prince running up walls while dodging obstacles. The plate sequences make the experience more exciting and the level design all the more impressive.
However, the flight sequences can be somewhat aggravating. The camera is constantly moving and the visual effects are annoying, and it's never exactly clear on which direction you need to move to avoid obstacles. Given that the plate-sequences are fun and enriching, it's sad these flight sequences aren't.
Combat isn't exactly Prince of Persia's main focus this time around, but, it is still an enjoyable ride. Much like Shadow of the Colossus, you'll fight one enemy at a time and four main bosses multiple times. There's a button for each type of attack: Sword, Elika's magic, Gauntlet or Acrobatics. You can string each type of attack into impressive combos, and enemies can change forms nullifying certain attacks. Once again however, Elika will always save you when you miss a critical quick time event, even if, she's rendered unconscious or bound by corruption. Battles are still exciting and visually satisfying.
Prince of Persia is beautiful to look at, thanks to the cel-shaded graphics. The transformation of areas from corrupted to a thriving beautiful environment is familiar to anyone who played Okami. There are some frame rate and animation issues, but they don't really distract you from Prince of Persia's lovely looks. Even though the Prince doesn't sound very Persian the voice acting is excellent and the music changes along with your situation to set the mood perfectly.
The games about eight hours long, unless you take the time collect all 1000 light seeds to add a few hours on. There's not much content to make players to make players come back, but the story will keep you coming back like a book. While the ease of Prince or Persia might cause those looking for a challenge to turn away, it will welcome new comers to the series or anyone looking for a delightful, and fun love story with a hint of magic.