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. IzZo
    Dec 22, 2003
    10
    God Bless Ubisoft,Damn this is a heck of a game!! i was literally playin it with my jaw wide open! its bloody beautiful, and di Gameplay is sooo incredible, i cant get enough of runnin on walls,i'm tellin u, this dude is a monkey! its amazing wat u can do in this game,this game has 2 b the greatest game i've seen yet,the camera a problem? meh, its nevah really bugged me, guess God Bless Ubisoft,Damn this is a heck of a game!! i was literally playin it with my jaw wide open! its bloody beautiful, and di Gameplay is sooo incredible, i cant get enough of runnin on walls,i'm tellin u, this dude is a monkey! its amazing wat u can do in this game,this game has 2 b the greatest game i've seen yet,the camera a problem? meh, its nevah really bugged me, guess its coz i've seen worse, normally just press the X key and center the camera or use the mouse to rotate it 2 ur viewin pleasure, if that does'nt help, well...GET OVER IT!but seriously i think ur missin owt if u have'nt tried this game yet, and if u've played it and u dont like it,there has got 2 b somethin wrong with u!Overall very well done game, great music,graphics,story and gameplay,wat more could u ask for from a game?… Expand
  3. zupergozer
    Aug 24, 2011
    10
    this game has an story that is fun to follow with excellent written characters (basically 2 characters but better 2 great character then a million horrible ones, yeah elder scrolls I am calling you out) anyway the gameplay is very smooth mostly because you can rewind time when you die, which will happen a lot the combat is a little repetitive but it is okay. overall an amazing game
  4. G.Coop
    Dec 3, 2003
    8
    A good looking and potentially fun game with two major flaws: 1. The camera angles are absolutely the worst I've ever seen in any game. Period. 90% of the time you die its because you couldn't see what you were doing because the camera angle didn't let you see the danger. 2. Only periodic saves. Maybe its just me, but it drives me crazy when games have "save points" and A good looking and potentially fun game with two major flaws: 1. The camera angles are absolutely the worst I've ever seen in any game. Period. 90% of the time you die its because you couldn't see what you were doing because the camera angle didn't let you see the danger. 2. Only periodic saves. Maybe its just me, but it drives me crazy when games have "save points" and don't let me save when and where I want.… Expand
  5. AnalogueB
    Jul 18, 2008
    10
    An incredible game that simply doesn't put a foot wrong. Story, combat, puzzles, atmosphere, visuals etc are all perfectly realised and elegantly packaged. And the innovative 'rewind' gameplay mechanic not only works brilliantly, but also fits well with the story and doesn't feel at all gimmicky or tacked on. Provided you're not an impatient gamer, you should An incredible game that simply doesn't put a foot wrong. Story, combat, puzzles, atmosphere, visuals etc are all perfectly realised and elegantly packaged. And the innovative 'rewind' gameplay mechanic not only works brilliantly, but also fits well with the story and doesn't feel at all gimmicky or tacked on. Provided you're not an impatient gamer, you should consider this is an essential title.… Expand
  6. UsmanT.
    Nov 26, 2003
    10
    This is very great game and i hope that you also make its 5th part on all platforms.
  7. JayS.
    Dec 11, 2003
    9
    Beautiful gfx, smooth intuitive gameplay, excellent sounds and a half decent story. I played the original game years ago on the Amiga when it was cutting edge so expected something a bit different and sands of time certainly delivers. The only downer here is a dodgy camera and length of game but all in all it is a superb game highly recommended, give it a try I think you would be Beautiful gfx, smooth intuitive gameplay, excellent sounds and a half decent story. I played the original game years ago on the Amiga when it was cutting edge so expected something a bit different and sands of time certainly delivers. The only downer here is a dodgy camera and length of game but all in all it is a superb game highly recommended, give it a try I think you would be pleasently surprised.… Expand
  8. 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 .
  9. HashamA.
    Nov 8, 2004
    10
    Excellent from the start to the end,should have been the game of the year.excellent combat system,jaw dropping graphics & a heroic Prince.never played anything like it.tired of FPS & pumping badguys full of lead,try this for a change.you'll never regret it.
  10. ReluctantFanatic
    Feb 3, 2004
    10
    PoP is the most involving, genuinely fun, fluidly controlled game I've ever played. The designers must have sat down with a few hundred tomes on Indian and near-East architecture to design the interiors and exteriors of the palace chambers. This title blurs the line b/n gaming and art. The story is also unusually compelling; manipulate time to correct a curse you unleashed yourself. PoP is the most involving, genuinely fun, fluidly controlled game I've ever played. The designers must have sat down with a few hundred tomes on Indian and near-East architecture to design the interiors and exteriors of the palace chambers. This title blurs the line b/n gaming and art. The story is also unusually compelling; manipulate time to correct a curse you unleashed yourself. Good stuff. I found myself relishing both the puzzle-solving and the combat. The power of Haste was incredibly fun to use.… Expand
  11. H.JW
    Nov 28, 2003
    10
    This game is damn near perfect . Jump around , slice and dice enemies , or maybe rewind time . It will make you wonder how you could pull off all those impossibly cool moves with just a push of a button . It just never gets old .
  12. GregF.
    Dec 10, 2003
    10
    This game is great, but apparently on the PC version you can't get any of the cool secrets like on the console versions. Plus, this game wasn't much of a challenge. All in all though, it's one of the better games that I've played recently.
  13. JouniM.
    Aug 18, 2004
    10
    Just brilliant hop'n'jump game!! Me like it a LOT :D
  14. PhilipD
    Nov 29, 2009
    10
    You just know a game's going to be good when the only two bad metacritic ratings are from people reviewing the wrong game. This game has intelligent gameplay and story. The wind-back-time system is perfect for games like this that rely on making dodgy jumps. There's one bit in the game where you can't use it and it makes you appreciate it so much more. It's almost as You just know a game's going to be good when the only two bad metacritic ratings are from people reviewing the wrong game. This game has intelligent gameplay and story. The wind-back-time system is perfect for games like this that rely on making dodgy jumps. There's one bit in the game where you can't use it and it makes you appreciate it so much more. It's almost as if that section of the game mocks all other platformers! I had several happy nights drinking apple cider and playing through this game. It's magical and you really grow to like the characters. Just like Final Fantasy or Call of Juarez, this game's story actually stayed with me. Most games don't manage that. 10/10… Expand
  15. CDonCotton
    Nov 18, 2003
    10
    This game is one of the best games i have played this year it has a great fighting system and the environments are cool as hell and the best part about this game is the puzzle solving but it aint no lame puzzles its full interactive environments that are the puzzle. This game is the shiot and totally buyable.
  16. IlyaT.
    Dec 14, 2003
    10
    Amazing game, its only downside is that its so great it seems short....
  17. ThomasF.
    Dec 28, 2005
    10
    This game truly captures the essence of it's original 2D predecessor. One of the best games of the year. A must own game!
  18. Shtiggy
    Jul 10, 2011
    10
    Outstanding game to say the least. I liked the puzzles, movement and action of this game. I look forward to playing all the rest of the PoP games now. Well done Ubisoft. Still a great game to play in 2011.
  19. sinadoom
    Nov 2, 2011
    9
    A great game even by today's standards. There aren't many issues with the game. The combat is fun despite its lack of depth, but if you look at more modern games like Assassin's Creed, even PoP SoT does a much better job at making the action feel lively and fluent. Rewinding is also a a feature which was years ahead of its time, and was to be adopted not by action-adventures orA great game even by today's standards. There aren't many issues with the game. The combat is fun despite its lack of depth, but if you look at more modern games like Assassin's Creed, even PoP SoT does a much better job at making the action feel lively and fluent. Rewinding is also a a feature which was years ahead of its time, and was to be adopted not by action-adventures or platformers, but racing games. Graphics for this game's genre at the time remain unmatched too. The level design deserves high praise too, with innovative challenges that don't take a genius to work out what you're meant to do. The gameplay elements are well-balanced so you won't get bored, and will want to keep playing to find out what happens next in the story. This is well-done because cutscenes aren't too long and the story is told gradually to keep your interest. This game to the genre in 6th generation is what Batman Arkham Asylum is to 7th gen. Truly a well-designed, market-leading game in every aspect.… Expand
  20. 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
  21. TharikLeonardo
    Jun 5, 2013
    9
    Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time stands out for almost ten years as one of the most entertaining and enjoyable games ever released to a game console, thanks to an amazing soundtrack, very good pacing, interesting story and gorgeous scenarios.
  22. PlotTwistSamuel
    Dec 11, 2013
    10
    I took only one issue with this game, and for me it was a pretty minor thing. The combat in this game can be a tad repetitive. Other than that, I found the story engaging, the puzzles challenging and fun, the levels well put together, and the characters were even well developed. In other words, I really don't think the combat ruins the game, or even lessens it. It just doesn't make itI took only one issue with this game, and for me it was a pretty minor thing. The combat in this game can be a tad repetitive. Other than that, I found the story engaging, the puzzles challenging and fun, the levels well put together, and the characters were even well developed. In other words, I really don't think the combat ruins the game, or even lessens it. It just doesn't make it better. Still a favorite game, and definitely one everyone should play.… Expand
  23. danield80
    Apr 18, 2022
    10
    Since the remake is nowhere near release, and it's been almost two years since the first and only trailer, I'm going to look back at the original.

    I played Prince of Persia The Sands of Time for the first time at the age of seventeen. That was three years ago. Even though it was 2019 and many more advanced games were out by that time, Prince of Persia managed to completely enthrall me.    Since the remake is nowhere near release, and it's been almost two years since the first and only trailer, I'm going to look back at the original.

    I played Prince of Persia The Sands of Time for the first time at the age of seventeen. That was three years ago. Even though it was 2019 and many more advanced games were out by that time, Prince of Persia managed to completely enthrall me.

    What I find superior and unique about the game are mainly these three things: Combat, parkour and time-bending mechanics. And most importantly how they are integrated into each other.

    Combat is relatively simple and can be mastered easily. You attack with a sword and a dagger which you can slow down time with, paralyze enemies or even rewind time if you've done something unwanted and want to try again. The dagger requires sands of time which can be obtained by sucking it from a downed enemy. If you don't manage to do it in time, the enemy will get reanimated. Acrobatic elements like overhead jumps and wall jumps are great to use and watch thanks to dynamic camera angles. The combat has many animations (attacks from different positions to enemies) which are making it look smoother.

    Parkour is unique in this game. It is so entertaining and challenging. I don't know about any other game with climbing that amusing. It is often incorporated into puzzles and as well as the combat it requires time-bending.

    Other minor things are great. Such as hidden upgrades. Health regaining system and foreshadowing visions at save points are interesting too.

    Art style and level design, also story and characters are excellent in this game.

    The Sands of Time is a perfect game in every way and there is so much space for mistakes to be made in the remake. For a game from 2003 it is still very unique and there aren't many games like it. SW Jedi Fallen Order is probably the most similar but unlike Prince of Persia it focuses more on combat rather than traversal.    … Expand
  24. Serespon
    Nov 9, 2010
    10
    Prince of Persia is a game I simply had to write a review about, because the movie somewhat made it look bad.... It one of the best games I have ever played, the story drew you in, the characters were developed well, the level design was gorgeous, the soundtrack was brilliant, the acrobatics were great, turning back time was just freakin awsome... But if I just had one gripe, it would bePrince of Persia is a game I simply had to write a review about, because the movie somewhat made it look bad.... It one of the best games I have ever played, the story drew you in, the characters were developed well, the level design was gorgeous, the soundtrack was brilliant, the acrobatics were great, turning back time was just freakin awsome... But if I just had one gripe, it would be the fighting mechanics. It didn't annoy me too much, but after a while you get over how cool the Prince is as he continnously jumps obver enemies, it wasn't as refined as Warrior Within's freeform fighting system alloying you more freedom in using the environment and style of play (that was the only good thing about WW). But this dosen't tarnish POP:SOT, it is still one the most brilliant games I've ever played.… Expand
  25. [Anonymous]
    Feb 8, 2004
    10
    Though it can become repetitive at times, I think this game is one of the best games I have played. The acrobatic puzzles and the fighting are great. And the graphics: F..kin awsome.
  26. JasonB.
    Feb 5, 2004
    1
    BORING!!! As with the previous Prince games, this one is just as weak. Pretty graphics but nothing really good here.
  27. RyanC.
    Jun 15, 2004
    10
    It kicks so much ass, that you can't really say more about it then that it kicks so much more ass then any other game had ever kick ass before.
  28. UsmanT.
    Nov 26, 2003
    10
    This is very great game and i hope that you also make its 5th part on all platforms.
  29. :);)
    Dec 16, 2003
    10
    Great!!!
  30. 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
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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 »