Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

 Xbox
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 112 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 112
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 112
  3. Negative: 10 out of 112
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  1. GormL.
    Jul 16, 2009
    10
    One of the best stories Ive seen in any videogame. And it achieves that without making you swallow loads of cut-scenes. The combat is a bit repetitive yes, but everything else is pure gold.
  2. CascoD.
    Nov 6, 2004
    10
    This game is pretty close to perfect. Excellent gameplay, clever level design; it is always challenging and never gets frustrating.
  3. ScottS.
    Feb 10, 2004
    10
    I have really thought about this and this game has to be one of my favourite xbox games of all time. My friend has not played his xbox for a month...I tell him it is because he has cr@p games and he would if he owned this one. Everytime my girlfriend leaves the house I am straight on the xbox playing this. The aspect I especially love about this game is that it is not all action, it I have really thought about this and this game has to be one of my favourite xbox games of all time. My friend has not played his xbox for a month...I tell him it is because he has cr@p games and he would if he owned this one. Everytime my girlfriend leaves the house I am straight on the xbox playing this. The aspect I especially love about this game is that it is not all action, it really makes you think....I really cant get enough strategy. Overall it is definately worth the price that I paid for it!… Expand
  4. MarkH.
    May 4, 2004
    0
    90% of gamers will only see the first 15% of this game- for there is a respawning never ending battle level that simply cannot be won (I'm not kidding). I am a relatively advanced gamer, and I have to say that this battle system is amongst the worst I have ever tried to play. It results in an unplayable game that will stop you 15% of the way through it. What a rip off! No kidding- no 90% of gamers will only see the first 15% of this game- for there is a respawning never ending battle level that simply cannot be won (I'm not kidding). I am a relatively advanced gamer, and I have to say that this battle system is amongst the worst I have ever tried to play. It results in an unplayable game that will stop you 15% of the way through it. What a rip off! No kidding- no cheats, nothing you can do but try and try again- ultimately failing. I even brought in other advanced games who all looked at me like I was crazy for suggesting they try to beat this battle it is so ill conceived. Simply the worst game out there masking under the veil of nice graphics - too bad since they are gorgous (from what I saw of them). When are these game developers going to realize that 90% of gamers out there won't deal with quality this poor. I cannot beleive anyone has ever gotten past this level it's that hard and rediculously stacked in the favor of the game. Don't waste your time unless you want to play 15% of a game only to hit a massive brick wall. Shame on Ubisoft for allowing this garbage out on store shelves!… Expand
  5. RethunkReview
    Oct 5, 2007
    4
    Boooooooring! The graphics look good, and clearly some thought went into design of the levels, but the game becomes disappointing, then finally tedious. There are only three basic activites for each stage of the game: (1) chop up the swarms of baddies by mashing buttons; (2) run, jump, avoid moving obstacles, and swing on conveniently located horizontal bars; and (3) run, jump, avoid Boooooooring! The graphics look good, and clearly some thought went into design of the levels, but the game becomes disappointing, then finally tedious. There are only three basic activites for each stage of the game: (1) chop up the swarms of baddies by mashing buttons; (2) run, jump, avoid moving obstacles, and swing on conveniently located horizontal bars; and (3) run, jump, avoid moving obstacles, and swing on conveniently located horizontal bars, but with a time limit. In this game more than most others one becomes aware of the mismatch between the crudity of the controls and the elegance of the character animation: special movements such as wall-to-wall jumping reduce to moving the main character to position X (+/- a footstep or two), then mashing button A and moving the left joystick at time T (+/- 0.5 seconds). This is progress in game development? More fun can be had playing Sonic the Hedgehog. PoP's time reverse feature (animated undo) is neat, but it doesn't make up for the failures that other gamers have pointed out, namely that the game is dull and repetitive. Prince of Persia is like a book that, once put down, is hardly worth picking up again. Actual value? $6.… Expand
  6. JakeW.
    Jul 23, 2004
    3
    Very highly overrated. The graphics and story are great, but beyond that the gameplay stinks. The camera is probably the worst I've ever encountered. I was constantly fighting with it. The real downside is the fighting is slow and makes no sense, it's very difficult to beat some of the easiest parts because they just keep throwing what seems like an insurmountable number of Very highly overrated. The graphics and story are great, but beyond that the gameplay stinks. The camera is probably the worst I've ever encountered. I was constantly fighting with it. The real downside is the fighting is slow and makes no sense, it's very difficult to beat some of the easiest parts because they just keep throwing what seems like an insurmountable number of monsters at you. I returned the game after 4 hours of playing. It's not worth the time or effort.… Expand
  7. FredH.
    Nov 15, 2005
    6
    Over rated game. Boring and not much for music or sound unless you crank up the volume but then when they talk, it blasts. The moves and puzzles were unique though, and the graphics were pretty good.
  8. Broyax
    Feb 6, 2018
    1
    Le petit prince de Perse a une grande épée (ou ne serait-ce pas un cimeterre ?) et pourfend ses ennemis mais surtout il saute, saute et court sur les murs, évite les pièges. Un pur jeu de plate-forme vendu au prix fort (à l'époque) mais sans plombier ni champignons magiques, autant dire que ça énerve rapidement, presque aussi rapidement que ça soûle à dire vrai. C'est presque aussi niaisLe petit prince de Perse a une grande épée (ou ne serait-ce pas un cimeterre ?) et pourfend ses ennemis mais surtout il saute, saute et court sur les murs, évite les pièges. Un pur jeu de plate-forme vendu au prix fort (à l'époque) mais sans plombier ni champignons magiques, autant dire que ça énerve rapidement, presque aussi rapidement que ça soûle à dire vrai. C'est presque aussi niais qu'un Mariol.

    On peut au moins en profiter via le programme de compatibilité sur la Xbox One : on insère la galette Xbox, la console télécharge 3,7 Go et on peut jouer en 1080, tout à fond comme sur PC en son temps : c'est amusant. Plus amusant que le jeu lui-même évidemment dont la caméra libre devient fixe la moitié du temps (très énervant). Le jeu reste cependant en 4/3, c'est étrange.

    En tout cas éventuellement, à se faire chier ainsi, le petit prince pourra sauver et sauter la princesse, à la fin peut-être. Quoi qu'il en soit, les jeux de plate-forme sauteurs, moi ça m'emmerde, qu'ils viennent de chez Nintendaube ou Ubichiottes.    … Expand
  9. BenJ.
    Feb 6, 2004
    6
    If you manage not to loose your patience with the infuriating camera movement within the first 30 minutes you're a better man than I.
  10. Bob
    May 13, 2004
    10
    This game rules.
  11. HeywoodF.
    Jul 2, 2004
    5
    Hello, Dr Floyd from France. Great graphics, great animations, good controls... but repetitive gameplay and the fight-system is horrible... very hard to progress sometimes. Overrated game ! Best regards. Floyd
  12. BlueFalcon
    May 14, 2005
    9
    It's definitely among the best single player experiences on xbox. The environments are stunning, and the puzzles are complex but not frustrating. It's weird to say, but the outstanding graphics help this game more than they would most other games. One of the coolest features here is that you can unlock and play POP 1 & 2 That really helps extend the life of a game otherwise It's definitely among the best single player experiences on xbox. The environments are stunning, and the puzzles are complex but not frustrating. It's weird to say, but the outstanding graphics help this game more than they would most other games. One of the coolest features here is that you can unlock and play POP 1 & 2 That really helps extend the life of a game otherwise short on replay value. One gripe is that the battles are too long and repetitive. The fighting is cool, but when you battle identical enemies over and over for several minutes, it grows tiring sometimes. When I beat this game, I was definitely filled w/ a sense of acomplishment and satisfaction - great stuff.… Expand
  13. BoneS2BV
    Jun 3, 2005
    8
    This game is one of the best action/adventure game!!! the whole oportunities you can develop are amazing !!!!
  14. Kev
    Nov 17, 2003
    10
    This is one of the best and most enjoyable games I have ever played. This is one of those games that literally evaporates time (pun intended). Next thing you know, 3 hours are gone. This is a must have for the X-Box.
  15. CoolmanC.
    Jan 15, 2004
    1
    Good graphics but apart from that it sucks.
  16. Poptee
    Jan 17, 2004
    9
    This is a fun game, and not so easy for the "powergamer(s) no more" like me. The only thing I didn't like was the sounds for the sword clashes: for me they were unrealistic and became very annoying. Everything else is top quality.
  17. ShelbyN.
    Feb 20, 2004
    8
    Yo, it's cool.
  18. DUDE
    May 13, 2004
    10
    Prince of Persia is one of the best Adventure games of 2003. It simply is amazing. It takes full advantage of the Xbox hardware. It even has 2 unlockable classic Prince of Persia games.
  19. BaronS.
    May 6, 2004
    3
    Prince of Persia isn't an absolutely terrible game but it's one of the most overrated games I've ever played/owned. As was mentioned before, you seem to spend a lot of your time, in the game, fighting against the camera and trying to get to grips with a fairly appalling combat system. The visuals are impressive, the story interesting enough and it's initially a lot of Prince of Persia isn't an absolutely terrible game but it's one of the most overrated games I've ever played/owned. As was mentioned before, you seem to spend a lot of your time, in the game, fighting against the camera and trying to get to grips with a fairly appalling combat system. The visuals are impressive, the story interesting enough and it's initially a lot of fun. However, it soon becomes extremely repetitive and annoying. The game doesn't 'let up'. It's kind of like having a rollercoaster where all you do is rocket down the slopes. A little more variety and thought might have made for a much better game. With more variety, better cameras and combat, Prince of Persia could have been the game it gets acclaim for being but, as it stands, it's not worth much of anyone's money.… Expand
  20. BassieN.
    Jun 12, 2004
    8
    As Warlock said, there is this really annoying bit after completing 93%. A downwards walljump which is impossible to do for me. I've tried about 100 times, stopped because I was about to kill my cats. I've just tried again after 2 months, but I keep falling to my death, too bad. Otherwise perfect and beautifull game on PS2.
  21. CynS.
    Jul 12, 2005
    9
    Great game ..... best Action RPG to come out since Zleda: Ocarina of Time. Battle system is great, with the way you can dodge around people, use hsate, use walls, jump over balconies to dodge and then jump back ito them. And have you honestly ever played an Action RPG were the puzzles dint get repetive? Anyways, good game, get it since its now only $20 p.s. Did anyone notice that 90% of Great game ..... best Action RPG to come out since Zleda: Ocarina of Time. Battle system is great, with the way you can dodge around people, use hsate, use walls, jump over balconies to dodge and then jump back ito them. And have you honestly ever played an Action RPG were the puzzles dint get repetive? Anyways, good game, get it since its now only $20 p.s. Did anyone notice that 90% of the people who gave it bad reviews essentialy said it was too hard?… Expand
  22. SeanD.
    Nov 7, 2007
    10
    Wow... A lot of people seem to get angry far too easily... This game is one of my favorites and I have played a lot of games throughout my life. What makes this game so good is not the graphics, but the gameplay and storyline. It draws you in and you want to continue doing awesome moves and in the character of a Persian Prince who controls time to avenge his father and destroy the work Wow... A lot of people seem to get angry far too easily... This game is one of my favorites and I have played a lot of games throughout my life. What makes this game so good is not the graphics, but the gameplay and storyline. It draws you in and you want to continue doing awesome moves and in the character of a Persian Prince who controls time to avenge his father and destroy the work that Vizier has created. This game is really good, although at times it may be hard, just look for water close by in order to restore your health. Please give it a try if you are reading this... you won't be dissapointed I promise.… Expand
  23. JoseC.
    Nov 11, 2003
    10
    One of the most amazing, masterful games ever created, my vote for game of the year.
  24. IanC.
    Dec 10, 2003
    5
    Great graphics, lovely sound, far, far, far too easy. Great idea to add the reverse-time option to avoid the frustration of instant deaths, but that was what gave the original its lifespan - having to go back and do it again. You'll pop in this disc, flip over the graphics, love the gameplay, and barely conceal your surprise when after what feels like about ten minutes you'll Great graphics, lovely sound, far, far, far too easy. Great idea to add the reverse-time option to avoid the frustration of instant deaths, but that was what gave the original its lifespan - having to go back and do it again. You'll pop in this disc, flip over the graphics, love the gameplay, and barely conceal your surprise when after what feels like about ten minutes you'll have finished the damn thing. This game isn't really a challenge, it is more a case of screw-it-up then get-it-right stright after or as near as dammit. This game actually reminded me of an old PS1 game called Pandemonium - the graphics con you into believing in a vast 3D world with depth and flexibility, but in the end is a simple, horribly linear platform romp which doesn't last long enough to get under your skin and just isn't fun enough to have any replay value. I preferred the original.… Expand
  25. Paty
    Dec 25, 2003
    9
    I definitely think this game is great. but i think the hype around it creates more hurt than do good. from all the editors at various magazines telling how magnificent it is, one expects a "one of a kind" experience...i think that might be over kill. yeah. the game is fun, but the fighting element gets boring after a while...enemies keep coming back after you kill them...its annoying. someI definitely think this game is great. but i think the hype around it creates more hurt than do good. from all the editors at various magazines telling how magnificent it is, one expects a "one of a kind" experience...i think that might be over kill. yeah. the game is fun, but the fighting element gets boring after a while...enemies keep coming back after you kill them...its annoying. some blood could have been nice, instead of yellow flashes of light...very "mummy returns"...hmmm. the best part of the original game was that it was a simple death trap escape game. now we have to deal with a chick, who shoots arrows at you by mistake...we have to protect her...yap,yap,yap. camera movements and animations save this game more than other games...control is amazing, graphics are good. i give a 9 because it is one of xbox's best. i am still playing it. loving it. but...it is not as amazing as the media hyped it up to be. game of the year?...no. rainbowsix 3 should be. or maybe fifa 2004. buy it. rental is for geeks.… Expand
  26. ShaneT.
    Dec 5, 2003
    9
    This game is fantastic. It may not be the longest, or the hardest game that i have played(9hrs). but this has to be the most fun i have had with a game in years. Artistic graphics, tight gameplay which keps me addicted till the very end. GET THIS GAME!
  27. StephenM.
    Jan 26, 2004
    9
    This is one of my favorite games and a suggested title if you ask me. It is very exciting and unique. It is definitely a brain teaser in some situations so if you plan on getting it, start getting used to puzzles and brain-teasers.
  28. BrettB.
    Mar 16, 2004
    9
    Although a bit on the easy side (you get way too many second chances, such as the prince catching himself when he falls off things), this game is great though. I loved the story, cheesy as it may sound, and the soundtrack is absolutely great!
  29. Gamer
    Apr 23, 2004
    10
    Thats all I have to say about it.
  30. Warlock
    May 26, 2004
    7
    Great game but on the PC *and* XBOX versions I've got stuck at 93% for a really long time. Essentially you do a big long climb-round-the-building bit, then when you go to jump down you fall to your death. On the PC it took about 70 attempts before it decided it'd let me jump down. The xbox...I've given up before I put it through a window. Pity. Beautiful soundtrack, great Great game but on the PC *and* XBOX versions I've got stuck at 93% for a really long time. Essentially you do a big long climb-round-the-building bit, then when you go to jump down you fall to your death. On the PC it took about 70 attempts before it decided it'd let me jump down. The xbox...I've given up before I put it through a window. Pity. Beautiful soundtrack, great visuals, gameplay's pretty good. Lots of movement. Just some really really sh.t bits :)… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Xbox Game of 2003
3
#3 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 41
  3. Negative: 0 out of 41
  1. Xbox Nation Magazine
    100
    Brimming with heart-stopping moments where you've got to take big gambles....A perfect union of storytelling, gameplay, and technological wonder. [Mar 2004, p.96]
  2. Village Voice
    90
    The impeccably intuitive controls make this feel as magical as it looks, and the gorgeous graphics and music fully ground you in the fantasy.
    Read full review
  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 »