2024 is off to an impressive start with the release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. I write this as I'm watching the credits roll and think back on how much fun I had playing this game. I mentioned this on my blog, but it really feels like Ubisoft Montpellier's take on Metroid Dread, with shockingly good results.
Graphics - I played this game on the least powerful platform available, Nintendo Switch, and found the graphics to be great for the most part. The game ran at an impressive, near-constant 60 FPS with dips in a few areas. The cutscenes were spectacularly cinematic. At times, it felt like I was watching an anime. My one complaint is that the textures up close were not the greatest during the cutscenes. I'm not sure if it's the same on other platforms, but it looked a bit rough in spots. Overall, the game looked great on Switch.
Gameplay - In a word, phenomenal. Excellent combat that has boundless possibilities paired with extremely tight platforming. At times, the platforming reminded me of Celeste, one of the best controlling 2D platformers of all time. The map was massive, and the exploration was always fun. I wish the parry system was utilized a bit more like in Metroid Dread, but that's just a nitpick. The Athra Surges also felt underutilized, but that may have just been because of the way I was playing. I loved the amulet system, which allowed me to customize my kit depending on the situation. I can tell this game was made by the same studio as Rayman Legends, another top-tier 2D platformer. To summarize, it's a fantastic playing game.
Sound - The sound effects had a satisfying crunch and the music fit the tone of the game very well, although it was a bit forgettable.
Story - Stories in metroidvania style games can be tricky, and I think they pulled off a solid story. I just wish it was a be easier to fully understand. There are a lot of collectibles with lore too if that's your type of thing.
It's awesome to see such high-quality releases this late in the Switch's lifecycle, considering the hardware is 7 years old at this point. This is a must-play title for fans of platformers or action games and should be a top priority game to play in 2024 for anyone.