Legit Reviews

The time-bending Prince returns to claim the third-person platform throne

Prepare to dig out your dagger and lace up your winklepickers one more time - Ubisoft has announced that the acrobatic artist formally known as Prince of Persia will be returning later this year on Xbox, PS2, Cube and PC.

To be honest, he's still known as Prince of Persia, but the third game in the series definitely has some other gameplay departures. Players will have to master two different playable characters and several new combat styles as they fight their way through free-roaming city streets.

See, the Prince has bunked off from the Island of Time to settle down with new bint Kaileena in his hometown of Babylon. Unfortunately, he finds Babylon has been set upon by rampaging rebel hordes and his previously loyal citizens have turned against him in a David Beckham-esque backlash. Captured by his enemies, the Prince's only hope of escape is for Kaileena to top herself, which obviously doesn't make him very happy.

This dark premise is the starting point for Prince of Persia 3 and it informs the whole look and feel of the game. The gloomy free-roaming environment that lets you approach you mission goals however you want helps, but it's the introduction of the Dark Prince that really sets PoP3 apart.

This shady bloke is the result of the Prince's dabbles in dark magic. He's more vicious, more brutal, more sinister and more stealthy, and as the game progresses he'll possess the spirit of the Prince more and more. To succeed you'll have to balance the ying and yang of the Prince, using each character's strengths to best effect.

Stealth is another new feature. The free-roaming environment will allow you to sneak up on enemies and perform gruesome one-hit kills. Of course, all the usual acrobatic antics like wall-running and tightrope walking will make a fleet-footed return.

Likewise, the Sands of Time powers will also return, letting you take out enemies in slo-mo or rewinding time to nab an advantage. All new powers are also promised.

Ubi plans to combine the best parts of both previous PoP games to come up with a winning formula. "By combining two playable characters in a masterly balanced gameplay with the perfect mix of acrobatic moves and a compelling storyline," said John Parkes, director of marketing at Ubisoft, "the new Prince of Persia will appeal to both Sands of Time and Warrior Within fans alike. The Prince is back to reclaim his kingdom, and he has a few surprises in store."

At the moment the third game is being developed under the inspiring title of Prince of Persia 3, with a subtitle expected to be announced at E3. Until then enjoy our fresh screens.