One of the most underrated and underappreciated Action/Adevnture Masterpieces ever made.
Graphics –
One of the things really impressive about Prince of Persia 3D, is the graphics. As you jump into the game, you'll notice that the game's textures are incredible and that the machines and booby traps in the game are also very well conceived. The frame rate, which is known to drop below 40fps with multiple enemies in the area, but nevertheless, does its job at staying above 60 most of the time. Another thing you'll notice in the game is the amazingly smooth animation sequences as the Prince is in action. Like the original Prince of Persia, the animation is excellent, sure to grab any hardcore gamer's eye.
Overall Score – 10/10
Sound –
The game's soundtrack is also equally impressive of that of the graphics as well. The soundtrack includes themes such as Drum, Bass, and String meet Middle Eastern themes, with a little guitar - Middle Eastern style - in the middle of a battle. Although, the sound was beautiful for the game, the actors' voices surely weren't. In the middle of a cutscene, the prince would be talking to someone, but his lips weren't moving. What is the deal with that, Red Orb? And where's also that feeling in the actors' voices? It needs to be smooth, but fails to entertain me in this area. To sum it up, fantastic middle eastern soundtracks, but no real solid voice acting.
Overall Score – 9/10
Controls –
Well, the first thing you'll notice is that your stuck with a keyboard (It is a PC game)! Instead, you have the options of using the keyboard or a controller bought separately with the game. I admit, I have not had the chance of trying the game controller for this game, but I found the keyboard controls really easy to learn and master. With a learning curve of about 10-15 minutes, you should just about be a master at these controls, the first day or so. You'll have 3 main buttons to work with. The arrow buttons, which is used to move the price forward, backward, left or right. You could also use the keyboard numbers, and while holding enter on the keyboard, you should be able to move the camera around as well. The button Ctrl, is the action button which is used to flip a switch, open a door, or drink a potion. And lastly, the Alt button, which is the jump button. If you need more detailed help with the controls, consult the guide that comes with the game (of course, that is what its there).
Overall Score – 10/10
Gameplay –
The number one thing that's really impressive is that how Red Orb brought the gameplay over from the original Prince of Persia titles made back in the late 80s, to Prince of Persia 3D, and how they didn't leave one single detail out. To start it off, you're a very skilled swordsman, the prince, in third person mode. Your job is to rescue to the princess, your newly acquitted bride, and reclaim the thrown, for the sultan, of course. Prince of Persia 3D is a classic action/adventure platform game that has you jumping over pits and spikes, grabbing onto ledges and dodging insidious hidden traps through over 20 incredibly long, and hard levels.
The first thing I'd like to talk about, in the gameplay, is the battle combat. As you meet your first enemy through the game, you draw your sword to enter on heck of a fight. As you draw your sword, your movable options are limited. You can move up and back, sidestep left or right, and face a different enemy once you've ended your first. But anyways, one thing that takes an extremely long time to master is the sword. After you've selected the enemy you want to fight, you can strike with the sword to the left, right, or overhead. You could also block your opponent's sword, adding much more strategy to the game. Even though that this is a great option, your enemies, however, have the option of doing the same – blocking your attacks. So basically, if you're on a hard difficulty mode, it could take a good 10 to 15 minutes in a single fight if you want to come out on top.
Finally, we get to the puzzles of Prince of Persia. Right after starting the game, you'll have to push and pull crates revealing secret items, stepping on levers which open up a secret door, unlock treasure chests which gives you potions, and weapons, and avoiding traps which mostly let you keep your life. If your extremely good in problem solving subjects such as math, or science, then Prince of Persia's puzzles should be a walk in the park for you. However, if you're not familiar with the original Prince of Persia games, then your going to be in for one long of a night. Some puzzles might take hours, maybe even a good day or two, for you solve, making you get very pissed off, but remember, it's just a game. And, it's an incredible game in that of following the original Prince of Persia formulas.
One flaw in the gameplay is that it has bad camera issues that tends to make combat confusing and platforming segments of the game harder due to the fact the camera tends not to give full view of the fight or the area you are in.It Another flaw is that the game may be too hard for casual gamers.Traps instantly kill you in one hit and fighting enemies require alot of timing,patience,and skills.Often,one enemy may easily kill you.But these flaw are not enought to prevent you from enjoying this masterpiece.
Overall Score – 9.0/10
The Ups and Downs (A Follow-up) –
On the up side, I liked:
-Mechner's great thinking and plan, in resurrecting one of the best 2d games ever!
-The great combat system!
-An entertaining soundtrack!
-Impressive graphics!
-A follow-up that doesn't disappoint anyone!
On the down side, I disliked:
-No Multiplayer aspects in the game.
-No tutorial or practice mode that could help new gamers into the game.
-No feeling into the voice acting of the game.
-Bad Camera Issues
-Game may be too hard for casal gamers
Its too bad Prince of Persia 3D never recieved the phrase it deserves from big magazines and websites and never sold as well as it should have.Since the game is now less than $10,you should buy it right away!Prince of Persia 3D is simply one of the best Action/Adventure game ever made!