Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands

If this were a novel or comic, it would be utterly without merit or point, filling in a gap that didn't exist before its creation and serving only to kill time. As a game, it's another run through comfortable and familiar ground, and serves to remind people why the Prince of Persia series is so universally beloved.

Long time fans might snicker at another version of the Prince, after having to adjust to the new 'Prince of Persia' in 2008. However, 'The Forgotten Sands' isn't that bad, it is actually really good, and even better yet, it's not a movie-tie in placeholder, it's a real game!

It's a fantastic installment for newcomers to the Prince of Persia series, but those who've been Persia fans since Sands of Time may find The Forgotten Sands mildly forgettable.

a far better Prince of Persia title than we've seen in years. I'm not sure that I would place it on a level with Sands of Time, but it's easily the second best 3D Prince of Persia title to date.

The prince has gone back to his roots of The Sands of Time and that brings us a good Prince of Persia game. The game is great to play in the fights and also the climbing. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is the game everyone wanted after The Sands of Time and it's a nice game to buy. The only issue is the length of the game, because you will complete it within eight hours and that's a bit short.

The waffly plot, so-so action and unlovable Prince taint some ace platforming. [July 2010, p.92]

The Prince makes a triumphant return to his roots in The Forgotten Sands, and all of your fears of this being a rushed game to simply be released alongside the movie can be abolished; we'll put that one down to good timing.

The platforming is immediately gratifying, but the combat takes some time to become a worthwhile part of the game.

It might not do anything to push the franchise into new territory but there's a ton of good, old fashioned free-running to sink your teeth into, with a neat reaction-based twist thanks to the new elemental abilities. While it's undoubtedly bland compared to Sands of Time (and uncomfortably familiar at times), it's unhampered by unnecessary convolutions which plagued later series entries.

The Forgotten Sands is a conceptual step back for the franchise, but for once that's not a terrible thing. The Sands of Time trilogy was hugely entertaining, and this return to that formula puts a great face on the franchise to new series converts while pleasing old fans with a return to form.

Lighter, more focused and ultimately more linear than its predecessors, Forgotten Sands never quite feels like a "real" Prince of Persia game, but its popcorn plot and slickly designed, trap-filled environments make it wildly enjoyable anyway.

In no way is it a genuine Prince of Persia for this generation (we prefer to forget the 2008 title), but it does offer something that's a little more challenging on the mind and reflexes than the typical third-person action/adventure.

Far from being a mediocre tie in to the Prince's cinematic escapade, the Forgotten Sands is a platformer of the utmost quality, albeit one which unfortunately favours familiarity over invention.

It may not represent a revolution for the franchise, but it is certainly a welcome return to form, and comes with a number of updates and improvements to create a smooth and enjoyable experience. This is not a "movie game."

The platforming is absolutely satisfying, but the simplified combat scheme and occasional glitches will leave you wanting for more. Challenge mode and unlockable Ezio skin (via UPlay) extend replay value ever-so-slightly.

A game that doesn't aim to bring anything new to the table, and for the most part provides a decent experience.

Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands is a welcome comeback to faster and tighter gameplay mechanics in the series. It's just too short and too easy to be a AAA title.

It's a slow burning experience. Your first couple of hours feel a bit ho-hum but stick with it. Forgive the disappearing corpses and the occasional odd animation and you'll be hooked all over again. [July 2010 p72]

This is a compelling entry of the series, and it will please those fans of the originals of last generation, but it lacks some freshness as an action and platforms title.

It does its job well. It presents the gamer with a stable, fluid foundation and builds upon it with nice pacing and even an addictive, "I gotta get through the next part" feel. But the combat is definitely sparse, the Powers aren't as electric as I had hoped, the graphics and sound needed an update to reach top-notch status, and the whole thing just feels too much like yesteryear.

We have the original Prince driving the story and it is always good to hear his voice. However, the combat has seen better days, and graphics are kind of hit and miss at times. Still, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is enjoyable and fans of this series will enjoy it.

The new Prince of Persia provides a satisfying epilogue to the Sands of Time trilogy, with the same kind of combats, puzzle solving and platforming. Too many familiar mechanics and a sure lack of flow keep this game from being the best Prince of Persia yet.

The game is a good jaunt into an incredible realm of sword and sorcery, any fan of the genre would be happy to have this one in their gaming collection.

The prince's high-flying adventure is marred by camera issues and weak combat, but the excellent platforming is still loads of fun.

Story-wise, you'll be hooked enough that you'll want to finish Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, but it's the always engaging gameplay that's king here.

All in all I don't hate The Forgotten Sands, I just feel like this game was put out to capitalize on the release of the movie. I know that Ubisoft said the game was in the making before they launched the 2008 PoP, but I don't buy it.

While these puzzles feel fussed-over, with difficulty that ramps up steadily and organically, the combat comes off like a clunky, lifeless afterthought.

Even with all its short-comings and 'rushed' feel, The Forgotten Sands is still a fine Prince of Persia title and one that will satisfy long-time fans. Like so many other games, a few more months of R&D would have addressed all of its issues and transformed a good game into a fantastic one.

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is not on the same level as the other games within the series. The game looks sloppy but fortunately the acrobatic gameplay feels as good as always.

Just don't expect it to do more than tread water in anyway whatsoever and you won't be disappointed.

In the end, though, there's only so much we can praise an exercise in teaching old dogs old tricks. Forgotten Sands is exactly one step back for one step forward. Let's hope a flying leap is on the way.

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands feels like a slight step backwards from the ambitious tale told a year and a half ago. While it does return to what made the series so strong to begin with, problems with the game's combat and replay value keep it from being the stuff of legend.

Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands is a good game, but it lacks an identity. Ubisoft followed the easiest way to forget the commercial delusion of the last Prince of Persia, going back to the previous trilogy. The result is a huge deja-vu, with some interesting addiction.

On one side you've got some brilliantly designed platforming, with Ubisoft able to breathe new life into what could have been quite stale gameplay. Sadly, the combat, of which there is a lot, fails to do anything interesting. It's too basic and as a result dull and repetitive.

Forgotten Sands inherits from the first Ps2 Game of the series a clumsy combat system and a well structured level design. It appears a little bit old, and lacks originality and sense of wonder. Still, it is enjoyable for adventure game lovers.

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is in many ways a very unassuming title; it slinked onto the scene with relatively little fanfare and has had few expectations placed on it by gaming fans, many of whom will likely dismiss it as 'just another Prince of Persia' or (at worst) a shoddy movie tie-in.

An enjoyable romp, worth playing but as forgettable, perhaps, as a one-night stand. [July 2010, p.76]

What holds the game back from being a truly stellar title is its dreadful combat system, as well as its lack of originality.

While in one sense this has perfectly recaptured the past, in another - the fighting - it's also resolutely stuck in it. [June 2010, p.104]

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is a fun platform and action game, but nothing more than that. It's a decent HD-reincarnation of The Sands of Time.

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands has a lot of great puzzle-elements, but when it comes down to the combat, the game fails.

Hints at something special, only to lose itself in mediocrity. [Issue#193, p.79]

The excellent platforming still remains, but this Prince seems to have lost a little of himself in coming back to his roots.

As amazing as the free-running portions are (that is, really f...ing amazing), the lackluster combat, the bland story, and the embarrassing length just out-weighs them all.

The Forgotten Sands does such a good job of returning to its "Sands of Time roots" that it actually feels like you're playing a seven year old PS2 title: and that isn't really a good thing. The game simply refuses to evolve and become something greater than its predecessors.

Prince of Persia is a great series with a lot of potential, but the developers just didn't hit the mark with this entry.

Despite good level design and gameplay […], the prince of Persia's new adventures are just a little rehash.