| 100 |
G4 TV
Once again, it exemplifies the very definition of a boundary-pushing video game.
|
| 98 |
BonusStage
One of the best damn games ever, period. This is definitely at the top of my list for Game of the Year, due to addicting gameplay, fantastic presentation, some of the coolest looking blood ever in a game, and a combat system that is relatively second-to-none.
|
| 93 |
Game Informer
Its change of pace and maturity feels just right, the platforming is divine, and the action is something to be very happy about. [Jan 2005, p.112]
|
| 92 |
Nintendo Power
As promised, the battle system has been much improved, and the game looks absolutely stunning. [Feb 2005, p.111]
|
| 91 |
Play Magazine
An amazingly involving adventure from spirit to atmosphere to richness of setting and exploration. [Dec 2004, p.65]
|
| 91 |
Nintendophiles
Everything is nearly identical to what you played in Sands of Time, and in the case of combat, the bar has been raised. With a much more even balance of fighting and foot work, PoP fans should be pleased.
|
| 90 |
Yahoo! Games
Largely an upgrade on the original, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within is still one of the most polished and imaginative escapades we've played. Like a blockbuster movie, the tale delivers on almost every count from dazzling pyrotechnics to deft storytelling.
|
| 90 |
1UP
A consequence of this darker approach is that that game loses part of what made The Sands of Time unique. Instead of a charming and almost silly character like we saw previously, the Prince here is more one-dimensional.
|
| 90 |
TotalGames.net
The immense satisfaction when you finally pull yourself towards that vertigo-inspiring exit or leave Dahaka behind is unmatched by any other game.
|
| 90 |
games(TM)
You get the impression that "The Sands of Time" was just a warm-up for the main event, a game that's familiar at first but soon reveals a level of imagination beyond that of the original, and displays as little room for error as one of the Prince's most daring acrobatic leaps. [Christmas 2004, p.100]
|
| 90 |
GMR Magazine
The acrobatics alone make Warrior Within a must-buy. Rounded out with superb character design and vast Myst-like landscapes, this Prince is another winner.
|
| 88 |
GameSpot
While Warrior Within's new combat and satisfyingly long campaign improve on last year's game, the now darker tone falls somewhat flat compared to the storybook atmosphere in "The Sands of Time."
|
| 86 |
N-Insanity
Those feint of heart and stomach need not bother, there is enough blood and gore in this title to bring to Dracula his knees in nirvana.
|
| 86 |
IGN
Ubisoft took a gamble by taking the Prince to a dark place. I don't think it paid off as the sense of magic, seen even in the old 2D PC days, is barely present here. It wasn't the wrong decision to make for a darker story, but Ubisoft took it too far.
|
| 86 |
GameCube Europe
In general the game is harder then Sands of Time, and I wonder if they didn't spice it up too much, making it inaccessible for a big mass audience.
|
| 85 |
Game Power Australia
The game has taken a few steps backwards in terms of style, but its combat is greatly improved and it's much longer than the original.
|
| 85 |
Electronic Gaming Monthly
But fans of the last game will be glad to know that the levels, traps, and puzzles are once again masterpieces of design. [Jan 2005, p.126]
|
| 84 |
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Overall Warrior Within seems to be in something of a messy transition period, caught between the light-hearted fun of the original and some noirish violent action game that was probably more the result of mis-focused market testing than any kind of genuine developer decision.
|
| 83 |
Into Liquid Sky
Builds on the weaknesses of its predecessor, but at the same time falls short of its strengths. All in all, this is a great title that offers something entirely new to a series that didn’t really need it.
|
| 80 |
AceGamez
If you loved the original but found it too easy, then give The Prince of Persia: Warrior Within a go, as it's sure to please. If you loved "Ninja Gaiden" you'll definitely like this.
|
| 80 |
Sydney Morning Herald
Exploring the labyrinthine citadel is rewarding, although backtracking and frequent deaths can be frustrating.
|
| 80 |
Gamer.tv
The demanding learning curve is absolutely perfect...An essential purchase for patient gamers everywhere.
|
| 80 |
Total Video Games
As a game Prince of Persia: Warrior Within is largely without fault and has many aspects that set it out as a genre leader; we just sadly lament the desperate attempt to be mature and edgy.
|
| 78 |
Inside Gamer Online
Too bad that all of the "enhancements" made to the prince's fascinating virtual world are actually liabilities. We are glad Ubisoft toyed with the bits that needed improvement, but we wonder why they "fixed" the things that were never broken.
|
| 75 |
eToychest
As a member of a series that takes a treasured place in the pantheon of gaming greatness, it is a lackluster effort, more concerned with watering down the game's strengths to make it more palatable for the masses than in delivering more of what made its predecessor great.
|
| 75 |
Game Revolution
A downgrade in the look and sound combined with increasingly annoying platforming and camera issues get in the way of this warrior's ultimate victory.
|
| 70 |
Edge Magazine
Ubisoft has taken a flawed game of boundless promise, destroyed some (but not all) of its appeal, fixed some (but not enough) of its problems, and jeopardised the whole endeavour by making the same mistake twice and rushing it to market before it was steady on its feet. Prince of Persia is strong and supple enough to survive this with many of its immense virtues intact. But it deserved so much better. [Christmas 2004, p.80]
|
| 62 |
Xequted
There are hints of greatness here and there. But those hints only remind us of Warrior Within's predecessor, making this new Prince of Persia game's bad design decisions all the more obvious.
|
| 60 |
My Gamer
Everything's bigger and more complicated, but that doesn't necessarily make it better.
|
| 60 |
GameSpy
A disappointment. It completely breaks with the first game in everything but gameplay, and even that is sabotaged by annoying, repetitive level design.
|
| 40 |
The New York Times
The tone of the game has gone from an Arabian Nights fantasy to something akin to a Marilyn Manson music video. In dark and grimy settings, the once gallant prince curses and jeers as he swings his sword at demons whose decapitations are lovingly shown in slow motion to a soundtrack of screeching guitars.
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