Prince of Persia

GamePro

All told, this is a great debut for the Prince of Persia series on the PS3 and Xbox 360. [Jan 2009, p.74]

Cheat Code Central

A wonderful and nearly magical game. It's not very long but it's long enough, as it will entail around 10-14 hours of continuous platforming and fighting, even if you don't try to pick up the 1001 Seeds of Light. The flow and excitement of the gameplay as well as the dramatic visual style will get you hooked for hours to come. I doubt there will be many people who don't like it, as it's equally engaging for players and viewers sitting next to you.

Destructoid

With Prince of Persia, the team at Ubisoft not only reached the bar they set for themselves with previous titles, but in many ways delivered a game that transcends expectations while setting a new standard for the series. Ubisoft has taken Prince of Persia in a wild new and magical direction, an enormously fun and gratifying game from beginning to end.

IGN UK

Ubisoft has delivered an incredibly polished, tremendously enjoyable and utterly lovable experience here. It takes all the best elements of previous franchise entries then expands and refines them to create an absolutely unforgettable adventure. It’s magical in every sense of the word.

MEGamers

What Ubisoft created is $59.99 worth of art apart from being a lovable game.

Worth Playing

Prince of Persia comes startlingly close to being a perfect game. The visuals are gorgeous, the story is presented exceptionally well, both the combat and platforming are extremely fun, and the game features one of the most moving endings I've experienced since Shadow of the Colossus.

IGN

It has its shortcomings, but I already sense that Prince of Persia will be one of the few games from this generation that I carry with me for the next decade.

Extreme Gamer

Prince of Persia has pulled away from its previous trappings to become its own true game.

Vandal Online

Its innovative visuals and its daring and well-made gameplay features make it not only a great action-adventure game but also a genre refreshing title. Only certain moments which cut the pace, and some problems in the fights which can become frustrating, blur one of the masterpieces of the year.

PSX Extreme

One of the most enjoyable experiences of the generation thus far.

GameShark

If you are looking for a challenging platformer that will test your gamepad skill to its fullest – Prince of Persia isn’t that game. Still, despite its lack of overt difficulty, this game remains special, and while it didn’t take terribly long to finish, and replay value isn’t too high unless you get obsessed with seed collecting, it was definitely nine to ten hours well spent and is an adventure you should not miss.

Gamervision

While it may seem like the game is being too lenient at the outset, you’ll be thankful for this method of play after a few hours. Nothing kills momentum like having to reload a save, and this feature prevents exactly that.

GameSpy

The new title combines strong platforming fundamentals, Assassin's Creed's open-world structure, and some of Okami's wonderful aesthetic flourishes. What it introduces to action games is something truly wonderful. Since the Prince can't die, the pace and rhythm of gameplay is never lost, yet it still offers a challenge even for hardcore gamers.

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

It might not be a perfect way to extend the experience, but it will surely help tide you over while you eagerly await the sequel hinted at in Persia's pitch-perfect ending. [Jan 2009, p.66]

GameDaily

The adventure ends sooner than expected (10-12 hours), but it's worth every breathtaking moment. This is one of 2008's best.

GameZone

The easy to grasp platforming elements are smooth and comfortable and the environments are very well executed. Elika is quite possibly one of the best AI supporting characters yet implemented into a game.

Gameplayer

Rest assured, Prince of Persia is every bit the game you wanted – it is the game you were promised and a whole lot more.

Playstation Official Magazine Australia

The story, on call dialogue and expansive world make its most recent rival for parkour champ, "Mirror's Edge," look poorly executed. [Summer 2009, p.56]

3DJuegos

Prince of Persia is an odyssey that manages to transmit the undeniable magic of its proposal. Ubisoft achieves the best adventure game of the year.

VideoGamer

Ubisoft Montreal has come tantalisingly close to creating a real masterpiece.

Playstation Universe

Old school fans and newcomers alike simply can’t go wrong by forking out for Ubisoft’s latest entry in this venerable franchise.

AtomicGamer

While this one doesn't quite reach some of the stylistic and gameplay-oriented heights of Sands of Time a few years back, this re-imagined Prince of Persia delivers great thrills and plenty of accessibility inside a very pretty package.

AceGamez

In a world full of murky shooters and visceral realism, Prince of Persia is a breath of fresh air. There's vibrancy wherever you look and no game has had such amazing artistic design all year.

PS3bloggen.se

Ubisoft haven't just rebooted the Prince of Persia franchise, but they've alse reimagined the Prince and his adventures in a waterpainted praline with a distinct design that's Oh-so-tasty. Perfect platforming an a strategic emphasis on the hand-picked battles make this adventure an absolute must for everyone who loves a good adventure.

ZTGameDomain

It isn't full of guns, aliens or even tons of gore and it certainly doesn't have the marketing muscle of some of the other games currently occupying store shelves, but it does have one thing most of them lack: character. The relationship between Elika and the Prince is easily the best duo found in a game yet and the developers have done an outstanding job of forcing you to care for Elika more than even yourself.

Game Informer

While the virtues of the control mechanics and gameplay are up for debate, the value of the presentation and production are not. A stirring orchestral score is the perfect accompaniment to the breathtaking environmental backdrops. Stop nearly anywhere in the game, and it looks like you’re staring at a still painting.

GameTrailers

Prince of Persia is a well-made product with production values to die for. But as an interactive experience, some conscious design and gameplay decisions will lesson the enjoyment for experienced players. The platforming is fluid yet only vaguely interactive, and the combat is robust but easy.

GamingXP

What the new Prince of Persia has to offer: Easy-going action, a very good story and enough motivation in an open-world-setting, which contains many questpoints to guide you.

Gamers' Temple

I imagine that most people who go into Prince of Persia with an open mind will find at least a few things to enjoy.

IGN AU

As much as we enjoyed our time as Prince and even gave into the somewhat forced love story, we came away wishing for a little more to do. Still it's by far better to do a few things really well than to try your hand at everything and succeed at nothing. Prince of Persia is arguably the best classic adventure game of 2008 – with a little room to improve.

GamingExcellence

It’s a really fun game to play, with good characters, controls, locations, and objectives, and is truly an evolution of the series.

InsideGamer.nl

The Prince returns, and does so with a fresh new style, a phenomenal game world, and in stunning visual detail. The addition of Elika is a nice touch, but takes away some of the initial challenge in the game. The fact that you can’t die is a real shame, but the choreographical fighting mechanics keep the gameplay interesting and fun, and turn Prince of Persia into a small masterpiece.

GameFocus

Ubisoft Montréal took an enormous risk by taking a whole new direction with this new Prince of Persia. Although the final product could have included greater difficulty and more emphasis on combat for the non-casual crowd; we can safely say that the risk was indeed worth it.

Variety

One of the most visually stunning videogames ever made, it melds a hand-painted look with spare sound design and haunting music to create an aesthetically consistent work that's meditative but rarely boring and should enjoy solid sales, particularly as buzz starts to build for Disney's 2010 film.

Gamer's Hell

The ability to mask linear, scripted gameplay with addicting platforming is evidence of the game's brilliance...and damned if it isn't one of the most beautiful games to-date.

1UP

Prince of Persia delivers well-crafted gameplay that borrows elements from its predecessors (and plenty of other titles) but makes great strides in developing a new identity for a series -- and a character that isn't as completely annoying as you might think from the first few lines of dialogue -- that seemingly lost its focus over the past few years. Of course, some issues here and there disrupt its goal in surpassing "The Sands of Time", but it's an incredibly enjoyable journey nonetheless.

Play UK

Prince Of Persia creates a beautiful world, and offers a real sense of wonder, as well as fantastic exploration opportunities. Aside from combat and camera issues, this is fun and a return to form for the prince.

Gamer 2.0

Unless you’re a hardcore fan of the Prince of Persia games, you can beat the game in about 14 hours or so in a rental to get all you need out of it during the holiday season.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

It's still quite a good game--I just wonder why it feels like a step back from the previous trology. [Jan 2009, p.69]

GamerNode

Marred by some inconsistent pacing and less-than-engaging action, PoP still manages to deliver a wondrous and open world through which players fight and fly to the game's exciting conclusion.

Playstation Official Magazine UK

The combat's a bit bust but not a deal-breaker, and the characters are deep and likeable enough to make for good company for the 12 or so hours you'll spend with them. [Christmas 2008, p.84]

Games Radar (in-house)

Once you understand enemy attack patterns and the game’s slightly slower than you’d expect timing, the level of challenge decreases dramatically. This, combined with the fact that Elika literally won’t let you die, could make things feel too easy and auto-piloted for some die-hard hardcore players.

GameSpot

While its lack of challenge may lull fans, its ease of use will delight newcomers and draw in anyone who appreciates a touch of magic.

Meristation

Once Again, Ubisoft Montreal takes us to Persia, this time an arid desert where we will face great dangers. With its cell-shading graphics and the incredible platforming areas, the Prince is better than ever; also, this time he has a great companion, Elika. A huge adventure, beautiful and great, but with some technical issues, extremely easy and very straightforward.

TheSixthAxis

It may not be as epic or mind-blowing as some titles currently on the market but it is a very solid game and one that provided me with a very enjoyable experience.

Video Game Talk

In the end, Ubisoft have pieced together an engrossing, intricately designed fantasy experience with Prince of Persia, one with a smooth and decadent sensibility that reflects on both its visual sumptuousness and meticulous framework.

Game Positive

While Prince of Persia is definitely flawed and can even become tedious at points, it creates a dreamlike world that keeps you interested. It is an interactive extension of what good fiction tries to be, and while it's not for everyone, it can often leave you with a desire to come back for more.

Cynamite

Elika and the Persian prince are like Lady Di and Prince Charles – the love dies abruptly. About a year ago we criticized Ubisoft Montreal for a lack of diversity. Back then it was about Assassin’s Creed, but the criticism is all the same.

Eurogamer Portugal

The tragic story as well as its outcome left a sense that the whole adventure is a narrative of what awaits to come out to this we call a “playable tale” where the beauty of the sceneries leaves a slight touch of magic. Many may even reject this new “face” of PoP or find it odd for the visuals of the game are not the only change but one way or another it’s impossible to stay immune to this experience.

DailyGame

All in all, the next-gen version of Prince of Persia is fun and even relaxing at times, but overall it's a little disappointing. And that statement is coming from one of the development team's biggest fans.

Game Revolution

Even if there’s no particular reason for it, Prince of Persia is a fun romp through a desert temple. The parkour-heavy gameplay looks impressive and is satisfying without being too frustrating. So head on over to your local store and pick up a copy of Princess Elika and That Nameless Drifter Guy Looking For His Donkey.

Games Master UK

A real disappointment. Has looks to take the breath away but the action is powder-puff light. [Jan 2009, p.66]

Level7.nu

Prince of Persia is reeks with atmosphere and appealing graphics, definitely one of the graphical highlights of the year. It's an easy going adventure where you utilize the ever so limber prince and the beautiful princess in order to traverse the courses and their obstacles. Fighting enemies certainly looks good, but they seldom turn out to be very exiting, a feeling that can be applied to the overall experience. This is a beautiful gaming experience but you won't find much in the way of excitement nor challenge.

Total Video Games

Continuing the theme of simplification that was prevalent throughout Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft's attempt to reinvent the Prince of Persia series is considerably disappointing.

Wired

Yes, it's true that at no time while playing Prince of Persia did I feel any of the frustration that I felt on a regular basis in "Mirror's Edge". But neither did I ever feel the joy of doing something right, of stringing together a perfect series of vaults and wall-runs and feeling like it was based on my own skill.

PSM3 Magazine UK

About as challenging as sitting in a ball pool, but still pretty fun. [Issue#174, p.66]

Gameplanet

The amazing artwork struggles to conceal repetitive combat and a game that, at its heart, is incredibly easy. Kids will probably rate it highly, but those who have grown up with the series may tire of it quickly.

DarkZero

Harking back to Elika for a second, I have to admit she is a fantastic addition to the series, and as gimmicks go she is significantly better than The Sands of Time.

G4 TV

PoP is a group of interesting ideas searching for a stronger game to hold them all together.