Prince of Persia: Warrior Within

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 595 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 498 out of 595
  2. Mixed: 68 out of 595
  3. Negative: 29 out of 595
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  1. MingyuW.
    Sep 1, 2005
    5
    I have to say the fighting is impressive, however, the game is so dark! and its so diffult to move about, the keys r not well coordinated and i'm always unsure of pressing which direction button to jump. And especially when a wrong jump results in death, it can be rather irritating. for example, i got caught while fighting the crows early in the game and had to restart so many times. I have to say the fighting is impressive, however, the game is so dark! and its so diffult to move about, the keys r not well coordinated and i'm always unsure of pressing which direction button to jump. And especially when a wrong jump results in death, it can be rather irritating. for example, i got caught while fighting the crows early in the game and had to restart so many times. thankfully the rest of it weren't as bad.… Expand
  2. BryanN.
    Mar 16, 2005
    6
    Okay...the battle forms are cool, And those chicks i must admit. However, i hate the theme of "Finding" ways to get from point A to point B. Hate it man. Even WITH a guide, i managed to only find 5 health upgrades, therefore unable to obtain the water sword and unlock a diffrent ending. and it has no replayability. and WHY do sequels have to be DARKER!!!. Lost the joyfull touch, palm Okay...the battle forms are cool, And those chicks i must admit. However, i hate the theme of "Finding" ways to get from point A to point B. Hate it man. Even WITH a guide, i managed to only find 5 health upgrades, therefore unable to obtain the water sword and unlock a diffrent ending. and it has no replayability. and WHY do sequels have to be DARKER!!!. Lost the joyfull touch, palm trees and all that you know?(like the sands of time). Maybe im lousy, but i didn't manage to complete SOT due to high difficulty...(only 87% completed).… Expand
  3. HyperionX.
    Dec 7, 2004
    6
    Camera sucks and is really annoying, game has too steep learning curve for someone who hasn't played the previous game.
  4. MydienonZ.
    Jul 25, 2006
    5
    I'll say upfront, I'm not a platform gamer. I got this game free with a new graphics card purchase. I haven't played Sands of Time. So, my opinion is from the virgin perspective. I cannot recommend this game to other platform virgins. The professional reviews are accurate--the moves look cool, and the dark atmosphere is there. [***SPOILERS***] But the game, on "easy", is so I'll say upfront, I'm not a platform gamer. I got this game free with a new graphics card purchase. I haven't played Sands of Time. So, my opinion is from the virgin perspective. I cannot recommend this game to other platform virgins. The professional reviews are accurate--the moves look cool, and the dark atmosphere is there. [***SPOILERS***] But the game, on "easy", is so frustrating for new players! The "tutorial" tells you which buttons to press, sometimes--and other times leaves you to figure it out. When you make a mistake, you die. (That "recall" power described in the game doesn't come to you until after defeating the first 2 bosses). Making a mistake is easy, because the camera can't be "locked" into one position--it always tries to give you the best view of the action by circling and zooming in/out automatically. You can't predict it, either--sometimes it will circle left, then when you die and restart, the exact same situation comes up and it circles right. Naturally, the camera will try to reposition mid-jump and mid-combat--suddenly, the direction you were moving just changed, and you are now rolling off a cliff. My opinion? Not fun. The first boss you hit is also terrible. You can get through all of the enemies on the Hard setting the first time you play. Then you reach the boss, and get slaughtered because the tutorial gives you zero information. After reloading a few dozen times, you'll get good at killing the enemies (which always appear in the same places) but the boss remains impossible. Why? Because the first boss requires totally different tactics than you had to use before; tactics never covered by the tutorial. When you restart the game on Easy, you slaughter the enemies, reach the boss, and die. This continues until you either have some divine inspiration, or you go online and find a walkthrough. My opinion? Not fun. Using a walkthrough, the boss is easy to beat. What about the second boss? The tutorial tells you what to do, so the boss is easy. Except that you are near cliff-face ledges, and acrobatic combat with seemingly random camera movement makes suicide jumps all too frequent. This boss must be defeated more than once, which isn't a problem except that the tutorial, once again, is unhelpful. You must figure out how to reach the boss using your acrobatic skills...and any mistake means you die, restart, and fight again. My opinion? Not fun. If you turn to an online walkthrough, it is unhelpful, since it requires perfect button-pressed timing to achieve the specific acrobatic sequences required. If you get through this, and continue on, you will probably learn the game better and eventually succeed. But as a first-time platform experience, I strongly suggest avoiding this title. After 30 hours of playing, I have gotten through the first two bosses. And now I'm shelving the game, because it is Not Fun. I don't like needing a walkthrough just to play a game, and I don't like restarting and doing the exact same thing 50+ times (seriously) until my luck holds out through all the button presses at the exactly correct times. And I seriously despise games that kill you for no reason, which is what I call it when you're jumping left, and the camera does a 180 turn while you're in the air, and suddenly you're jumping off a cliff. Expert players learn to deal with this, by watching the camera and learning exactly when and how to change movement mid-jump to land correctly. I'm not an expert. I suck. For all beginners, I strongly suggest not making this your introduction to 3D platform games. You've been warned. For genre experts, and fans of the first game--go for it, and let me watch you play, because when an expert plays this game, it flows almost as smoothly as a Tony Jaa action movie (but with a cornier plot).… Expand
  5. StefanS.
    Dec 12, 2004
    6
    Yes, the game has nice graphics, good level design, a neat story and an interesting combat system. But for me, it all is ruined by: - The annoying intro video, part of which can't be skipped when you start the game - The awfully annoying, utterly stupid camera perspectives throughout the game - The frustrating jumping sequences you have to redo when you die in combat just before a Yes, the game has nice graphics, good level design, a neat story and an interesting combat system. But for me, it all is ruined by: - The annoying intro video, part of which can't be skipped when you start the game - The awfully annoying, utterly stupid camera perspectives throughout the game - The frustrating jumping sequences you have to redo when you die in combat just before a save point - Some very difficult combat scenes right at the beginning (even on Easy!) - Having to retrace your steps to return to a portal pretty often - The long loading animation (that probably even unnecessarily prolongs the loading intermissions) This game SO doesn't reach the excellence of the first part, it's a huge pity.… Expand
  6. [anonymous]
    Dec 31, 2009
    6
    i think the game is great for someone that like fithing games. But i think that the game is boring. Becaus all the time you are in the same places. I think the best prince of presia is the sands of time ;)
  7. StaikoE.
    Jun 16, 2005
    6
    The game has been designed more for young players that demand fast arcade games with lots of fighting. Such games are more likely to be fun on a console than playing it on the computer. It just doesnt seem to match the personality of a computer game. Graphics are quite neat however sometimes they are very dark which makes yours eyes twitch to see what is going on. Conclusion.... the The game has been designed more for young players that demand fast arcade games with lots of fighting. Such games are more likely to be fun on a console than playing it on the computer. It just doesnt seem to match the personality of a computer game. Graphics are quite neat however sometimes they are very dark which makes yours eyes twitch to see what is going on. Conclusion.... the Prince of Persia is losing its polish.… Expand
  8. glitchtoreality
    Nov 12, 2012
    6
    Prince of Persia is one of my favourite game series of all time, and I was really excited to play the second instalment of the series, "Warrior Within." I have many mixed feelings about this game, and there are just some things that really bother that I couldn't get over. For one thing, the prince in this game has a completely different personality, the atmosphere of this game is morePrince of Persia is one of my favourite game series of all time, and I was really excited to play the second instalment of the series, "Warrior Within." I have many mixed feelings about this game, and there are just some things that really bother that I couldn't get over. For one thing, the prince in this game has a completely different personality, the atmosphere of this game is more darker then the last, and the lighthearted prince seems to have been completely lost in the dark when this title came out. Maybe Ubisoft was going for a more "cool" character thing, but that didn't really work out, people loved the charming personality from the prince in the first game. The story as well is much weaker here then it is in the first game, I can barely even remember what the story was. While playing the game, I felt really isolated, I miss having those little interactions with Farah, and the light humour. The gameplay as well is very glitchy. And I mean very glitchy, you may find yourself cursing at the screen because of it, you WILL die countless times from it. But the good thing is, it doesn't take away from the fun, there are still some challenging puzzles that will get you thinking. You still feel bad ass jumping and leaping from death defying heights. And the music in the game is awesome!! Some hard rock music that really fits the mood of the game. All in all, this game was a fun experience, but because of the glitches this gets a 6/10 from me. My least favourite game out of the current 5 games in the series. But that doesn't make it a bad game, in fact, I still recommend this game to any adventure game fan, and especially to fans of the PoP series.… Expand
  9. Framikaze
    May 31, 2006
    7
    The first episode of PoP saga was amusing also for the silly comments of the prince,for the small breaks given by the videos.This episode is too dark and put too much pressure on players without any break for mind and fingers.
    Also grapic is less careful than in SoT.In conclusion this episode is shoddier than its predecessor.
  10. Phil
    Jun 20, 2008
    6
    Worst game of the trilogy. They tried to add more combat but it just results into a big failure. Playing with arrows keys is a mess, you never really know where you'll land. Cameras are even worst than in the previous game. We can see this game was made really quickly, like a friday night after a party. And about the music... painful. I'm not a big fan of heavy metal but once in Worst game of the trilogy. They tried to add more combat but it just results into a big failure. Playing with arrows keys is a mess, you never really know where you'll land. Cameras are even worst than in the previous game. We can see this game was made really quickly, like a friday night after a party. And about the music... painful. I'm not a big fan of heavy metal but once in a while its fine but when you have to listen to it almost all the time its annoying, i almost wanted to turn it off and put my own music. And some boss combats are interrupted by some little videos... fine but when you don't expect it, you come back into combat, without having time to protect and die. Of course, graphics are great, you can watch the videos in bonus sections and thats pretty much all the pros. So I'll just recommand stick with Sands of time and the two thrones.… Expand
  11. birdman3
    Sep 29, 2013
    5
    This game had some innovative playstyles for its time, but since we've evolved beyond what's presented here, it's mostly superfluous. I would recommend getting another title.
  12. EremitaJ
    Aug 4, 2014
    7
    Cheesy as well as challenging. A great platformer that was meant to live on but now it's been crushed like Rihanna's face JA no, sexism isn't funny. The music was perfect, the gameplay was smooth and man, it was like mixing Aladdin with a God of War game.
  13. 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
  14. Cz3rw0ny
    Apr 5, 2021
    5
    This part was a bit too dark and grimy for my liking, but I have to admit it was a bold move from fantasy Sands of Time.
  15. ChristopherP.
    May 12, 2005
    6
    Good looking game with many many many bugs....i would call it a new age of tomb raider with slow motion and new 3d cards stadar effects for just making it look better. I have been a prince of persia fun..and that game is not under my thought 100% representative of it's predesesor.sorry not to mention the 32 bit pc version color mode....again just for making you buy new 3d cards.
  16. fake_nikpap
    Oct 27, 2020
    7
    The only thing this game does better than its predecessor is the combat. I felt this game was easier than the last one and I didn't use the sand powers a lot since I found it easy. The platforming is mostly the same if not easier, with the same problems that the first one had being present there. The riddles were not something remarkable. The thing that I hated the most was theThe only thing this game does better than its predecessor is the combat. I felt this game was easier than the last one and I didn't use the sand powers a lot since I found it easy. The platforming is mostly the same if not easier, with the same problems that the first one had being present there. The riddles were not something remarkable. The thing that I hated the most was the backtracking and the fact that you could easily get lost and lose hours going the wrong way. The music was really annoying in my opinion and it went for a DOOM style of brutal music but it failed. It also didn't help that it kept on playing minutes after the fight was over and I had moved on to the parkour. This time I did not encounter any lip syncing problems with the in-game cutscenes and it felt nice. Play this game it's fun, especially if you loved the first one.… Expand
  17. ylnylmn
    Sep 9, 2022
    7
    I thought it would be better than the first game, but I was wrong. I think when they wanted to do everything right, they did it worse.

    Bad sides; 1_) Level Desing: It is very repetitive, the levels are similar to each other and the biggest problem is "backtracking" makes the game very boring. Passing through the same places all the time, always the same atmosphere, always the same    I thought it would be better than the first game, but I was wrong. I think when they wanted to do everything right, they did it worse.

    Bad sides;

    1_) Level Desing: It is very repetitive, the levels are similar to each other and the biggest problem is "backtracking" makes the game very boring. Passing through the same places all the time, always the same atmosphere, always the same traps and enemies.
    2_) Combat Difficulty: The game is unnecessarily difficult even though I play it on normal settings. Especially during combat, it is difficult to control and enemies can kill you very quickly. I've rarely seen worse than the Keileena boss fight at the end. Why does it have to be so hard? Time slows down and I can't escape.
    3_) Camera Angle: Sometimes I have trouble seeing in front of me. Sometimes I can't understand where to jump while platforming.
    4_) Bugs: Sound is gone in cutscenes. Sometimes in-game music does not play.

    Good sides;

    1_) The combos are varied. There is more action than the first game.
    2_) Unlike most people, I liked the dark atmosphere of the game, I liked that it was more bloody.
    3_) The story and characters are better than the first game.
    4_) Music is my style. Very good. (An Unsafe Sanctuary, Clash in the Catacombs, Conflict at the Entrance.) I like these.
    5_) Walljumping is much better and more comfortable than the first game.
    6_) I really liked the Griffon boss fight, it was the only boss I liked.    … Expand
  18. nastyjes
    Jan 30, 2023
    6
    Weird, dark and hard af .
  19. 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

30
#30 Best PC Game of 2004
12
#12 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004
14
#14 Most Shared PC Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Edge Magazine
    70
    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]
  2. 1UP
    90
    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.
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  3. Yahoo!
    90
    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.
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