The Rogue Prince of Persia review

The premise is fairly straightforward: the Huns have invaded the Persian empire, and it’s up to the Prince to save everyone. The twist? You’re packing a magical time-travelling bola that zaps you back to a secret desert hideout, the Oasis, every time you’re reminded of your low-level attempts by a strong enemy. Talk about a frustrating alarm clock! This sets the stage for the game's roguelite loop. The Oasis serves as your hub, a bit like in Hades, and it gets more populated as you rescue folks during your runs. Each new face offers gameplay modifiers, weapon unlocks, challenges, or snazzy cosmetics.

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At its core, The Rogue Prince of Persia is a 2D fast-paced action-platforming roguelite.  And crikey, is it fluid. The game is made by the Dead Cells developer, so it’s no coincidence that the combat flows smoothly and the gameplay loop is just as effective. You’ll be itching to start the next round immediately, thanks to the compelling combat and platforming.

Wall-running is back with a vengeance; you can now climb any wall in any direction. The Prince can grab poles, walls, and ledges with the acrobatic flair of a gymnast, we reckon he’d win American Ninja Warrior in a single attempt. This fluid movement and the brilliant parkour sections scratch a deeply personal gaming addiction of mine: platforming. 

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You're armed to the teeth with a choice of weapons, from double daggers and spears to axes and claws, all of which feel different but effective. You also get a secondary weapon for ranged attacks, like a trusty bow or even a grappling hook to bring enemies in close for an Irani chai… or death. The key to success is mixing the right weapon with Medallions, boons that add modifiers like elemental damage, boosts to kicking, or causing enemies to release poison gas when they crash into each other. Used properly, you can melt enemies in seconds.

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Each biome you traverse has a distinct, gorgeous art style with a vibrant colour palette, music, and enemy variety. From the waterslides of the Aqueduct to the carnivorous vines in the Garden biome, the environmental hazards will keep our gymnast on his toes. Honestly, the art is so fresh that it makes many other Ubisoft games feel drab. And you absolutely must listen to the OST; Persian-American artist Asadi has done a fantastic job fusing Persian string instruments with modern electronic beats.

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The core gameplay is undeniably addictive, but for all its acrobatic flair, the game felt a bit too easy. I managed to topple the final boss far quicker than I did in Dead Cells or Hades. Afterwards, there was very little motivation to keep playing. The main issue is that I just wasn’t as invested in the story as I was with Hades. The people I saved and brought back to the Oasis didn’t bring any meaningful conversations with them, and the well-written interpersonal relations of side characters that made Hades so compelling are absent here. While the sheer difficulty of Dead Cells kept me hooked, The Rogue Prince lacks that long-term pull once the credits roll.

The Rogue Prince of Persia mixes platforming and roguelite elements with such artistic spin that I would still highly recommend it. It’s a must-play for fans of the franchise or roguelikes in general, and it’s especially brilliant on a handheld gaming device like a Steam Deck. It may not be the king of the genre, but it’s a comeback worthy of a crown.