Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 732 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 595 out of 732
  2. Mixed: 126 out of 732
  3. Negative: 11 out of 732
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  1. Jogilius
    Feb 8, 2004
    7
    Nice graphics, but otherwise about everything qualifies as being merely ok. The fighting system could definitely have been done worse, and it is sometimes even enjoyable,but still there are times that you don't feel being that much in control since there is only one dagger button and sometimes you attack the zombie you didn't want to attack. Otherwise, in terms of content, too Nice graphics, but otherwise about everything qualifies as being merely ok. The fighting system could definitely have been done worse, and it is sometimes even enjoyable,but still there are times that you don't feel being that much in control since there is only one dagger button and sometimes you attack the zombie you didn't want to attack. Otherwise, in terms of content, too much repetition. The "puzzles" or so are hardly rewarding or challenging and the battles are nothing but repetition and make me say "oh, not another one of these battle scenes"... just zombies teleporting out of nowhere. Not that fun.… Expand
  2. SachinM.
    Dec 9, 2003
    7
    Hello, amazing game it is. Good GFX and a nice story to go along. Though.. It has some downsides. still it's a fun to play in your past time.. you should try it out .
  3. BasilZero
    Feb 25, 2018
    7
    Game: Prince of Persia Sands of Time
    Genre: Action
    Developer: Kudosoft Publisher: Ubisoft System: Steam (PC) Year of Release: 2003 Length of Playthrough: 13 Hours Total Score: 72/100 Value Score: 7.2/10 • Story: 8/10 • Characters: 8/10 • GamePlay: 7/10 • Graphics: 7/10 • Sound: 7/10 • Music: 7/10 • Length: 7/10 • Replay Value: 4/10 • Player Value: 7/10 Pros +Great    Game: Prince of Persia Sands of Time
    Genre: Action
    Developer: Kudosoft
    Publisher: Ubisoft
    System: Steam (PC)
    Year of Release: 2003
    Length of Playthrough: 13 Hours

    Total Score: 72/100
    Value Score: 7.2/10

    • Story: 8/10
    • Characters: 8/10
    • GamePlay: 7/10
    • Graphics: 7/10
    • Sound: 7/10
    • Music: 7/10
    • Length: 7/10
    • Replay Value: 4/10
    • Player Value: 7/10

    Pros
    +Great Puzzle design
    +Environment and level design is well done
    +Good OST

    Cons
    -Battles are repetitive and boring
    -Camera can be frustrating at times
    -Voice over volume is really low especially during cutscenes
    -Control scheme is out of place, unable to tell if you are choosing the right buttons due to the fact that it shows keyboard icons (even though using something like Dualshock 4 controller works)
    -Widescreen resolution fix/mod needs to be applied to fix the widescreen    … Expand
  4. Lobby
    Mar 14, 2013
    6
    This is a perfect example how much otherwise really good game can be destroyed by stupid control system and camera. The control of movement is based on camera position so when the position of camera is changed(this happen as you are moving through) you just start running in different direction than before. In fights sometime camera so stupidly placed you see big pillar and you and yourThis is a perfect example how much otherwise really good game can be destroyed by stupid control system and camera. The control of movement is based on camera position so when the position of camera is changed(this happen as you are moving through) you just start running in different direction than before. In fights sometime camera so stupidly placed you see big pillar and you and your opponents are hidden behind it. But that is not the worst problem of fights, that is definitely auto locking of targets. It is quiet terrible, you have to finish your opponent with your dagger when he is on the ground, but even when he is in front of you and is the closest thing to you the prince actually start attacking somebody else who is not not even next to you nor are you facing his directions instead of finishing that poor sod under your foots. This is pretty annoying as the opponent just stand up while you try retake control over prince. Also jumping and rolling is on same button and the action is taken based on context so it is quiet usual prince is doing something else that you would wish him to do. All the other things as graphic(taking the age of this game into consideration), soundtrack, originality of location and game play are pretty good and I really enjoyed cooperation with that girl who is following you, the puzzles are fun maybe little bit to easy and overall the quality of this game is really good, but the problems of control system is drawing it down and I cannot make myself giving it more than 6 points.
    If the control system was working properly a would give it 9.    … Expand
  5. Azzam
    Jun 10, 2011
    6
    For a gamer who have played both Assassin's Creed I & II, I can say that those two iconic games take root from this awesome masterpiece. TSoT have a great puzzle design, and in terms of free-running, definitely a lot more challenging than AC, as you need to press the button for the corresponding action, not holding three buttons at the same time and let the PC do the obstacle-clearing forFor a gamer who have played both Assassin's Creed I & II, I can say that those two iconic games take root from this awesome masterpiece. TSoT have a great puzzle design, and in terms of free-running, definitely a lot more challenging than AC, as you need to press the button for the corresponding action, not holding three buttons at the same time and let the PC do the obstacle-clearing for you. At times, the puzzles are so complex you'll spend 1 hour+ finding your way through. But when you do get them, it's extremely satisfying. However, as most console-to-pc games, they have bad controls and camera movement. Dodging from enemies is very hard. Talking about enemies, they're very hard and complicated. The enemies won't die easily, and furthermore when they die, you need to absorb the enemies' corpses into your dagger, otherwise they will rise again and you have to fight them, again. Things got even more complicated when there's 4-5 enemies at a time, and when one enemy is killed, another one will come and replace him. If you're planning to buy this game, expect your patience level to be tested to the max (and your bladder XD).… Expand
  6. fedak
    Nov 23, 2012
    7
    Sands of Time is a reboot of a classic puzzle platforming franchise that dates back to the very early years of PC gaming. This title introduced the
  7. Iluvatar21
    May 3, 2014
    7
    HOW I RATE: 10-9 score: perfect or near-perfect don't exist; 8 score: one of the best games ever. Top score; 7-6 score: great but not one of the best; 5-below score: serious flaws.
    ===========
    The Sands of Time Trilogy just feels very complete & outshines nearly every other AAA game I've played even to this day.
  8. DGR27
    Jun 10, 2018
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Muy poco se puede valorar ya este juego Leyendioso, un juego que todos los gamers de aquellos años recordamos con muchísimo cariño, con el Príncipe empezó todo, la manera de ver los juegos de aventuras cambió para siempre, un juego que marcó un antes y un después, no dudéis ni un momento en jugarlo es un título que se juega muy bien a día de hoy, la genial jugabilidad, sus gráficos sorprendentes para su época... en definitiva JUGARLO.… Expand
  9. cryptocreeper
    Jul 26, 2020
    7
    This game was a good start to the Prince of Persia trilogy. The Sands of Time is more simplier in everything ( story, gameplay, graphics) compared to the following parts. But this game became a good base for all these parts.
  10. bosnian
    Apr 6, 2012
    7
    Fun game with a perfect length and a very good unique concept. For the most part puzzles are great and fighting style is well executed, even if fights get very repetitive after a while.
  11. SamIAmCity
    Apr 26, 2013
    5
    This game starts off as fun. It provides a few challenges and the graphics are good for its time. Taking advantage of the "sands of time" system is a wonderful, creative way to implement lives. However, the camera panning is simply horrible. The camera jumps when entering certain areas, forcing the player to use different movement keys to move differently. The gameplay also gets quiteThis game starts off as fun. It provides a few challenges and the graphics are good for its time. Taking advantage of the "sands of time" system is a wonderful, creative way to implement lives. However, the camera panning is simply horrible. The camera jumps when entering certain areas, forcing the player to use different movement keys to move differently. The gameplay also gets quite repetitive after a while... Running, wall-running, jumping from here to there, etc. Enemies are all the same as is the combat. I am trying to complete the game, but I keep quitting in frustration due to the increasing boredom I receive from playing for too long.… Expand
  12. AstiX
    Jul 30, 2017
    6
    Man, this game is way worse than I remember it, or maybe it just hasn't aged well.

    It brings new and innovative features like the famous wallrunning and paves the way for an amazing trilogy, but god dammit does it get repetitive as **** Slashing through hordes of the same enemies that spawn over and over and over and over and over using the same move that works on all enemies was    Man, this game is way worse than I remember it, or maybe it just hasn't aged well.

    It brings new and innovative features like the famous wallrunning and paves the way for an amazing trilogy, but god dammit does it get repetitive as ****

    Slashing through hordes of the same enemies that spawn over and over and over and over and over using the same move that works on all enemies was tiring as hell. Solving puzzles using acrobatics felt cool at the beginning, but even those became a bore after a while.

    The voice acting is atrocious! At times it was so cringy it hurt my ears.

    The camera, oh god the camera... changing angles at the most inappropriate times causing you to suddenly start running the wrong way or fall off a ledge and die. Die. Die. Die. I must've died about 600 times. This game really played with my nerves.    … Expand
  13. YonaOfTheDawn
    Dec 15, 2014
    5
    To start with, this game is wrongly labeled as a platformer. There's not much "platforming" to do here. Though our hero is the acrobatic kind, do not expect having to do accurate jump sequences or anything of the sort. Sections with falling floors serve a purely dramatic purpose - you don't actually fall and you don't really need to pay attention. This is more of a puzzle game where youTo start with, this game is wrongly labeled as a platformer. There's not much "platforming" to do here. Though our hero is the acrobatic kind, do not expect having to do accurate jump sequences or anything of the sort. Sections with falling floors serve a purely dramatic purpose - you don't actually fall and you don't really need to pay attention. This is more of a puzzle game where you have to find the accurate path through a series of obstacles and/or traps. This isn't so bad in itself, but if you're looking for a platformer, this is probably not the game you're looking for.

    This game has several issues, however.

    Context-based gameplay: Only a few buttons are used to control the prince and he pulls off amazing stunts and a lot of different moves. This is all context-based, meaning he will do a different thing depending on what's in front of him. Having said that, it's difficult in some places to make him do the exact thing that you want him to do. When your angle to the wall isn't correct, he will run along it, instead of running up. When in battle and you're parrying and suddenly the enemy is too far away, he stops parrying and might run up a wall if you're close to one because these actions are controlled with the same button. This comes along with fairly poor controls where the running direction in enclosed spaces is hard to control. Since the camera occasionally changes perspective automatically, the prince will suddenly run into a different direction, which is very annoying.

    Camera system: To be honest, I have never seen a game with such a poorly implemented camera system. Some people say it's an issue with the PC port. I do not care. It's bad. The camera bounces off off walls and make "swooosh"ing noises. Who came up with that? Sometimes the camera moves into the exactly opposite direction than I move the mouse. What the heck? The camera is jumpy, suddenly changing perspective (making the prince suddenly change direction -.-), but sometimes moves so slowly that I have to lift the mouse several times. Horrible. And then there are those places where the camera is fixed in one spot. Although the intent of the developers was to point the player to the next step of the puzzle and to simplity the controls the seem not to realize that all sense of 3D is lost when the camera doesn't move. There is first-person view to overcome this, but it's stil annoying.

    Combat: The combat looks interesting, but ultimately is mostly button-mashing. Just keep pressing buttons, the prince will do SOMETHING. There's no skill or tactic involved. And the battles are too long with respawning enemies. This kind of combat is a major turn-off.
    Auto-aim: No, I want to attack that OTHER guy! Oh, forget it. He just does what he wants.

    Pipe levels: Some levels must be called that, because you just keep going forward, avoiding traps and overcoming obstacles. Forks in the road appear only very occasionally. Some levels in later stages of the game, however, have a very interesting level design and it really takes a while to figure out how to get through.

    Gameplay segregation: I just made up that word. The game is very clearly divided in combat and puzzle sequences. Instead of occasionally running into an enemy while making your way through the palace, there are combat scenes, where you have to defend against several enemies at the same time. And then there are actually 20 of them! I would have preferred a more mixed solution where you run into enemies more frequently, but only have to fight a few. This game, however, feels like it's actually two different games...

    "Sands of time" also has several good points:
    The visuals are very appealing. I have to say that the game aged very well. It's still very nice to look at. The palace looks very realistic, the textures are nice, the monster design is good. Wonderful.
    Puzzles: The puzzle sequences are easy in the beginning, but become more challenging as you advance in the game. The puzzle elements (puzzles, pillars....) blend very well into the surroundings.
    The story is quite interesting (though I'm not through yet and don't know how it evolves). The interaction between Farah and the prince is nice - she will actually react to what he is doing, like holding her breath when he is about to fall. Very nice.

    To conclude... I think "Sands of time" would be a great game if there was no combat and if the controls and camera weren't as horrible as they are. But unfortunately, these blend directly into the gameplay in an action puzzle game, so I give it a fairly mixed score. It's not fun to play for me because of the controls and camera system :(    … Expand
  14. tsakiym
    May 18, 2015
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it.................................… Expand
  15. LillDeeDee
    Apr 27, 2018
    5
    So before I begin, lemme just say that I played the ps2 version as a lill boi and I freakin loved the prince of persia games.

    So now, 2018, I desided to buy all 3 ps2 releases on pc in order to live through the good old nostalgic feelings. This review ONLY talks about the pc version and not the ps2 version (that one would've easily gotten a 7/10) Before I start with the bad **** I    So before I begin, lemme just say that I played the ps2 version as a lill boi and I freakin loved the prince of persia games.

    So now, 2018, I desided to buy all 3 ps2 releases on pc in order to live through the good old nostalgic feelings. This review ONLY talks about the pc version and not the ps2 version (that one would've easily gotten a 7/10)

    Before I start with the bad **** I wanna b real short about this games AMAZING PARTS.

    Back in the time revolutionary gameplay, pretty good storyline and pretty fun fight mechanics.
    Those may look little but this is actually prince of persia sands of time in short version for you.

    So why is this game getting such a ''bad'' score... Well as I said, this is about the pc version... This game is buggy... I know it's old but this is no excuse for it's low performance on pc. Bugs are everywhere, some gamebreaking, some not - but still disturbing to see and experience - especially when you remember the ps2 version to run smooth and nearly without problems... Best example: The one puzzle mission where you have to activate the defense systems in the palace... This puzzle is hella buggy! Somehow, when I go on those plattforms they kinda act like a forcefield that sucks me into the corner... No this is not a feature, this is an actual bug... Trying to escape or avoid that force field will then b the most challenging part about the puzzle and it really annoys you.

    Controls: This was also a big roblem with this pc release... This game just does not feel good at all with mouse and keyboard... so what can you do in order to avoid that? You plug in a controller... Unlike the other 2 prince of persia part, this one does not realise that you are using a controller which makes it hard to try and fix that. After i fixed this issue and I could finally start with the game - I got to know the problably worst issue with the pc release.

    The camera: holy mamasita, how can you f up the camera when it actually worked on ps2?? A lot of times, it starts doing spastic movements, wiggling around, making your eyes bleed - no but srsly, the camera sometimes locks on sth and then suddenly it goes crazy because sum object is in it's way of sight...

    Now to some bad parts of the game that were also in the ps2 release: Little cutscenes that come up way to many times (for example when you end a fight and the prince sticks away his swords). Insane difficulty spikes where fights suddnely become the dark souls type of fights (you can regain hp while fights, but depends where you fight and if there is an actual water place nearby). The fights are then mostly 4-5 dude against you, and when you finally finish one, another one spawns - which stretches the fights but feels kinda unnecessary... and they just get hella repetitive.

    In the end, I give the pc version 5/10... it's just so freaking bad - compared to the ps2 version, that you easily get your childhood memories crushed - I srsly hope that the other 2 types are more fun than this one.    … Expand
  16. Gelaos
    Sep 20, 2018
    7
    Excellent puzzles, sometimes horrible camera angles, mediocre combat. It can get frustrating sometimes (I remember reloading one puzzle 20-30 times before I succeeded) but mostly it's really rewarding game.
  17. Cz3rw0ny
    Apr 5, 2021
    6
    I didn't like the way you fight in this game, despite the graphics being very pretty.
  18. Waleo
    Nov 21, 2022
    7
    It’s my first time completing it, although I had played it before in my childhood. Overall it’s pretty good. The story is quite simple but compelling. The acrobatics could be more fluent and challenges more elaborate, but they are still fun. The combat is alright but has targeting issues. The camera can be a problem sometimes but I’ve quite liked the feature that you can select anIt’s my first time completing it, although I had played it before in my childhood. Overall it’s pretty good. The story is quite simple but compelling. The acrobatics could be more fluent and challenges more elaborate, but they are still fun. The combat is alright but has targeting issues. The camera can be a problem sometimes but I’ve quite liked the feature that you can select an alternative camera angle everywhere. It’s sometimes useful but mostly it just presents a beautiful view of a space.
    Despite its issues the game stood the test of time. There’s a great atmosphere. The music adds a lot to the experience and I’ve found the visuals to be gorgeous despite their age.
    P.S. Play it with a controller, the game wasn’t made for keyboard and mouse.    … Expand
  19. Topoide
    Oct 21, 2022
    7
    La version de Steam esta totalmente bugeada: bugs de camara, bugs de sonido, bugs con el joystick.
    Quitando eso es un muy buen juego.
  20. turgaysenturk
    Aug 12, 2023
    7
    The Sands of Time later than its 2003 release, I didn't perceive it as the trilogy's pinnacle, unlike the general consensus. Nonetheless, I appreciate the well-written and intriguing story. The gameplay also offered enjoyable moments.
  21. Naked_Snakee
    Apr 7, 2023
    7
    Just text (crutch) to save the game to the list. Such things. Maybe I'll do a review later.

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PC Game of 2003
13
#13 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
5
#5 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. IGN
    88
    Ubi Soft Montreal has captured everything we loved about the first game without sacrificing the kinds of things we expect from games these days.
    Read full review
  2. Computer Gaming World
    90
    Thrillinng acrobatic action, though the controls and camera could be better. [Mar 2004, p.88]
  3. Edge Magazine
    90
    The freedom of movement requires a new level of spatial imagination. Before Prince of Persia, platform games were like playing Tetris with only the blocks and bars. [Christmas 2003, p.100]
See all critic reviews »