The Rogue Prince of Persia is an interesting experiment for the franchise. It is clear that Ubisoft is not planning another full 3D entry in the series, but the recently released Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was an excellent game that paid homage to the franchise’s roots while keeping the IP fresh in the minds of fans. The Rogue Prince of Persia is another part of this experiment and succeeds at what it sets out to do, delivering a roguelite take on Prince of Persia that focuses on the series’ core strengths.
What sets it apart from other roguelites is its fluid movement. Created by the developers behind the popular Dead Cells, The Rogue Prince of Persia is a beautifully animated side-scrolling action roguelite. The game brings key Prince of Persia mechanics into its gameplay, including wall running and smooth, effortless dodging. There are also parkour elements such as pole vaults and flips. Together, these features create a strong mix of platforming and action built around roguelite systems.
The combat system is fast and enjoyable, with a variety of weapons to use. Players have a main weapon and a sub weapon, with the latter operating on a meter that refills over time. Sub weapons are usually ranged, while the main weapon is used for close combat. The Prince can also kick projectiles at enemies, such as loose rubble on the ground, and vault over opponents as part of a dodge move. Each weapon comes with its own special attacks, along with charged attacks that add more depth to combat.
The story centers on a Prince who can return from death thanks to the power of a magical pendant. Instead of the time loop ideas seen in older games, the focus here is on a resurrection loop. The story follows the Huns arriving in a Persian city, where the Prince fails to defeat their leader and is killed. He is then resurrected outside the city, which is where the journey truly begins. Each death sends the player back to the start, but with a more experienced Prince who can explore new paths or take advantage of higher levels.
Because of the loop mechanics, most of the story is told through NPCs, especially in the main hub area where the Prince respawns after every death. The story is not the game’s strongest element, but the gameplay more than makes up for it and stays engaging throughout. Some NPCs can be rescued and later join as allies, providing extra advantages in future runs. Although the game does have a proper ending, reaching it takes time and several runs.
The game is not as difficult as Dead Cells, but it is far from easy. Boss fights can be challenging at first, though their attack patterns become easier to read over time. The overall length depends on how quickly players understand the mechanics, as well as the random elements of each run, including power-ups and equipment. It is possible to finish a single run in about two to three hours, but early on, it takes much longer to learn how everything works. This gives the game solid replay value, even if it does not quite match genre peers like Hades.
The soundtrack draws heavily from Persian influences and features intense beats that fit well with the game’s platforming and parkour-focused movement. It stands out as another strong point alongside the gameplay and combat. While the narrative side is fairly weak, the solid replay value, strong visual presentation, and engaging mix of combat and platforming help The Rogue Prince of Persia come together as a well-rounded package.
That said, the game can start to feel repetitive over time. Unlike Hades, it does not have a cast of especially memorable characters to help carry the story. Enemy variety is also limited, and after a while, many encounters begin to blur together, which can make them feel less exciting. Boss fights remain a highlight throughout. The procedurally generated maps are also a mixed bag and may not appeal to everyone.
The recently released Switch 2 version runs well and supports native resolution in portable mode. It also scales nicely when played docked, making it a good fit for a handheld-style experience, especially since individual runs are relatively short. For players looking for a roguelite that can fill a similar role to Hades 2, this is a solid option worth considering.
The Rogue Prince of Persia Game Information
- Price: $29.99
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
