A New King Arrives: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a Metroidvania Masterpiece That Moves Over Hollow Knight

For years, a single game has stood as the undisputed champion of the modern Metroidvania genre: Hollow Knight. Its haunting world, impeccable platforming, and challenging combat have set a standard that few have dared to challenge. But with the release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown in January 2024, a new contender has emerged, one that not only stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the classics but, in many ways, surpasses them. This bold new entry from Ubisoft Montpellier is a brilliant and beautifully crafted game that has been hailed as a new benchmark for its genre, proving that a great idea, meticulously executed, can still feel fresh and new.

The game’s premise is a clever reinvention of the series’ roots. You play as Sargon, a young and prodigious warrior and a member of the elite Immortals, on a mission to rescue the kidnapped Prince of Persia from the cursed, time-distorted mountain of Qaf. This setup immediately justifies the game’s core mechanics, which are a seamless blend of classic Prince of Persia acrobatics and the rewarding exploration of a Metroidvania. The game’s world is a vast, interconnected labyrinth of biomes, each with its own distinct art style, puzzles, and enemies. The joy of exploration is palpable, and the satisfaction of finally unlocking a shortcut or finding a long-forgotten secret is a core part of the experience. The game’s unique “Memory Shard” system, which allows you to take a screenshot of a blocked path and pin it to your map, is a simple but brilliant innovation that every Metroidvania should adopt.

Precision and Power: A Masterclass in Combat and Movement

While the exploration is top-notch, the combat is what truly sets The Lost Crown apart. It’s a fast, fluid, and deeply strategic system that feels like a blend of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Devil May Cry. Every enemy has a unique attack pattern, and a well-timed parry, which is a core part of the combat loop, can turn a dangerous situation into a cinematic moment of triumph. The game constantly rewards skill and mastery, and the feeling of effortlessly chaining together a series of parries, dashes, and aerial combos is a pure, exhilarating rush. While the game’s difficulty can be brutal, a wide range of accessibility options, from an adjustable parry window to a full-on “Guided Mode,” ensures that players of all skill levels can enjoy the journey. This commitment to accessibility is a powerful statement and a clear sign that the developers wanted to create a game that everyone could experience.

The platforming is equally impressive. True to its heritage, The Lost Crown puts a heavy emphasis on acrobatics, with a fluid and responsive movement system that makes every jump, wall-run, and air dash feel both tactical and incredibly cool. As you progress, you unlock new “Time Powers,” which are a fantastic twist on classic Metroidvania abilities. The “Shadow of the Simurgh,” for example, allows you to place a shadow of Sargon and instantly teleport back to it, a move that opens up a whole new world of creative solutions for both puzzles and combat. The game’s ability to constantly introduce new mechanics and new challenges ensures that the gameplay never gets stale. It’s a game that is constantly asking you to learn and adapt, and it’s all the more rewarding for it.

The New King

In the grand debate over which game reigns supreme in the Metroidvania genre, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown makes a powerful case for its place at the top. While Hollow Knight is a masterpiece of melancholy and atmosphere, The Lost Crown is a vibrant, high-energy spectacle of a game that is not afraid to put its gameplay first. Its impeccable design, smooth-as-butter controls, and wealth of content make it an absolute must-play for fans of the genre. The fact that a single-player, premium title from a major publisher has not only been so well-received but has also pushed the genre forward in such a meaningful way is a testament to the talent of Ubisoft Montpellier. It’s a game that deserves every bit of praise it has received and a title that proves, unequivocally, that the Prince of Persia is back and is ready to take the crown.