What a great way to end an equally great trilogy. Read on for the full review.
- Addictive
- Fast reload times
- Same likable architectural puzzles
- Same satisfying combat found in WW
- Fast & fun chariot rides
- New stealth option available
- Hilarious protagonist
- Charismatic characters
- Epic Boss Fights
- Good movie CGs
- Great story
- Great sound track
- Great Narration and Voice-overs
- Great graphics (environments and views)
- Great animations
- Great epilogue
What you may not like:
- Constant fighting with the camera
- Low polycount and low res textures on character models
- Main weapon is a dagger instead of a longer sword
- Easier than WW
- Less blood than WW
- More violent than its predecessors
- Some Boss Fights rely on 'click' timing
- Last of the trilogy :*(
Note:
This review contains references and spoilers about the previous 2 titles of the Prince of Persia Trilogy (Sands of Time and Warrior Within).
Both previous titles are really worth playing. Please consider giving them a try before considering this title, it will make the experience that much more fulfilling.
SOT = Sands of Time (First title)
WW = Warrior Within (Sequel)
Story - Babylon burns!
The story picks up exactly where Warrior Within left it. You are on a boat on your way back to Babylon with Kaileena (this means the game assumes you were able to get the 'good' ending from WW).
Though, while Babylon is in flames, your boat gets attacked and you wind up separated from her.
From that point, the story will unfold very nicely with a few twists and turns.
There is a considerate amount of narration in the game. She will tell you about the Prince's progress and what he is going through. There is also a lot of conversation between the different characters. The actual lines are usually just plain fun and hilarious at times. This adds a lot to the appreciation meter of this title.
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones will answer all your questions in a very fairy tale-like, yet climactic ending. If you allow your mind to bend a little over the timeline of events, you will enjoy the many references to the previous titles, SOT and WW.
Game - Fast paced action
Like its predecessors, the game orbits around solving architectural puzzles and defeating pockets of sand monsters.
New additions to the game are:
Chariot rides
There are only a few of them, but they can really add to the fun factor. First of all you can only control your chariot by stearing it left or right. You cannot slow it down. This might come as a challenge for some as some turns have to be planned ahead. Sand monsters will also try to ambush you / get on your chariot / block your path and what not.
Stealth
Stealth is a very neat addition to your combat options. It is not mandatory to use it. Basically, you sneak up to your enemies and when the screen flashes, you press the E key and from that point, you will need to have close to perfect click timing in order to finish your enemy off. The backstab can take up to 5 hits in order to be successful. Also, sometimes one attack can kill up to 3 sand monsters -- the whole animation is very satisfying. Still, remember that it can be avoided altogether if you really wish to fight them instead.
Boss Fights
Boss fights were also part of Warrior Within. Though, in this version, the Bosses are more "epic" and also scripted. This means that for some of them, you won't rely much on your combat skills, just like WW, to bring them down. There is only 1 fight that really requires good combat skills to defeat it. The remaining are mostly dealt by the stealth mode where you need to time your clicks in order to progress through the Boss fight.
Alter-Ego
You will also play another character with a totally different attitude and a different set of weapons. He uses a whip (a la Ivy in Soul Calibur if you know her). That whip is very powerful and can take down many enemies very quickly. This come with a price though: your health consistently drops down until you get another Sand (which heals you back to full). So each time you get to play as this character, you need to do your work quickly or you will die. This character can also sneak up and trigger some very satisfying choke-kills.
Environment: Top-Down Chains
In addition to the known beams, poles and ropes, top-down chains have been added to the levels. Those chains not only allow you to make your way down in a ninja-style position (head down with feet up around the chain) but also give you a good starting point to drop and start a sneak attack.
Environment: Wall grates
Also new and very much used are the wall grates. Basically, you can now dig your dagger in those wall grates and stay stationary on the wall. By selecting a side, you can swing yourself and wall-run for a little while. They take some time to get used to as you need to be holding the right mouse button down while hitting the left one in order to dig your dagger in.
Environment: Wall jumping plates
While wall-running, you can walk over those plates and if you jump at the same time, you will be thrown 45 degrees instead of perpendicular to the wall.
Environment: Narrow walls
By jumping in the middle of two close walls, you get to hold yourself by pushing toward them. Once squeezed between them, you can go up or down. Those are used mostly to drop on your enemies and trigger a sneak attack.
Sand credits
During your adventure, you will accumulate sand credits. They allow you to unlock the extras. Know though that if you finish the game, they all seem to become accessible. So they become a bit useless if you finish the game.
Maps
Unlike its predecessor, every level is new, i.e. you won't be revisiting maps you've already been to.
Also, the "hidden" health upgrades are considerably easier to find this time around.
Sound – Previous titles are merged
The Indian sound track is back with a rocking flavor added to it. It does fit the game perfectly but it doesn't pump you as much as its predecessor. On the other hand, every piece of music and sound effect is just top quality.
Combat - Better tips, better fights
Although WW introduced a fairly good amount of new combat moves, it wasn't that easy to remember them all. In this title, there is always a reminder of a combo that can be used each time you pick up a secondary weapon. This is very useful as it makes you want to try them and makes you completely addicted to some of them.
The reach is also shorter because of the dagger so enemies can now hit you before you can if you are not careful. Blocking is more important in this game.
The amount of save points is frequent and therefore makes the game considerably easier than WW, but it's not a flaw by itself.
Conclusion – Cry.
This is by far the best trilogy that is available today. No other pack actually delivers as much gameplay innovation, story-development and all around _great_ games.
If you are actually hesitating in playing those after the years, I would completely suggest that you give this trilogy a try. The graphics are still good and the package is just top quality.
You will play this title, enjoy the great ending and feel sad right after, knowing there won't be anymore of the great tale that is the Prince of Persia.
9.5/10