It is often said that fashion is an eternal beginning. Well, we have to believe that video games are not that far from this discipline. The first Prince of Persiareleased in 1989, was in 2D and the last episode, The Lost Crown, although made in 3D, adopted 2D platform game gameplay. During the online conference Triple I Initiativea new opus was presented, also in 2D but in a production very close to that of a cartoon: The Rogue Prince of Persia.
If Ubisoft was hiding behind The Lost Crown, another studio is piloting the Prince’s new adventure: Evil Empire. The latter are mainly known for their work on extensions of Dead Cellsthe platform game of Motion Twins which left its mark on the minds of all those who were able to try it. We therefore find the very choreographic and rapid side of the fights based on counters and dodges, with fights mixed with extremely nervous and fluid movement phases.
Obviously, Evil Empire’s game will not just copy that of Ubisoft. So we will go from a pure and hard Metroidvania in which we must find improvements by exploring the map to a roguelite (hello Dead Cells), the hero gradually acquiring abilities allowing him to go a little further in the adventure, and therefore to gain power and so on… During his wanderings in the city of Ctsesiphon invaded by a horde of possessed Huns, led by their leader Nogaï, the Prince will be able to use multiple stinging, cutting or blunt instruments to overcome his numerous enemies.
The gameplay of this next one Prince of Persia is quite similar (in broad terms) to what we have already seen, but the artistic direction is much more original, as shown in the video above. The bias may not please everyone, but we still appreciate this bet on the part of Evil Empire.
The Rogue Prince of Persia arrives in early access on Steam for May 14.