"Jaw Dropping, Genre Defining Game"

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is Ubisoft-Montreal's addition to a fine progression of action adventure games started by Jordan Mechner in 1989 with the original Prince of Persia.

Gameplay

PoP:SoT plays like a dream. While the game subtly pulls you through a linear story line, the gameplay feels anything but linear. Like Link in the Zelda series of late, the Prince spends his time puzzle-solving or fighting.

Although the fighting is enjoyable, it is the puzzle-solving that will hook you. Before each puzzle, the camera sweeps the area giving you a rough indication of the path you need to take to solve the puzzle and advance to the next area. From one perspective, the game borrows heavily from games like Ocarina of Time -- turning mirrors to reflect light in a particular pattern; pushing blocks in order to climb to higher areas; draining water etc. However, SoT breaks existing genre barriers on two fronts: (1) the Prince's extended moveset compared to other action-adventure platform games and (2) the exaggerated dimensons of the areas in the game.

The Prince is able to run up and along walls, swing from poles and ropes, balance on narrow beams, ascend by jumping from wall to wall, and more. The fluidity between these moves is jaw-dropping. Add to this the intuitive and easy-to-learn control scheme (on Gamecube at least) and you may find yourself running around a level just to watch the animation. Further, as the game progresses, the Prince begins to acquire powers that allow him to control time (rewind, slow, haste). Rewinding time is essentially a real-time instant replay. You've fallen off a high ledge and died? No problem. Rewind time to the point just before you jumped and continue to play. Your ability to rewind is only limited by the number of sand tanks you have remaining, which are increased with every sand creature that you terminate with your dagger.

As noted in the ''Making Of'' featurette (included as an Extra Feature in the game), the dimensions of each area were exaggerated to give the game a more wide-open feel. And does it ever work. Rooms seem to tower above you. Outside areas go on forever. The art work and level design is beyond anything I can remember seeing.

Story

The story's characters are the same as Mechner's original game, but the twist is different and deeper. Early in the game the Prince sets off a disastrous chain of events that only he can make right. The story is definitely more involved than most -- probably on par with Metroid Prime -- and the superb voice-acting, scripting, and directing lend a cinematic feel to not only the FMV cutscenes, but the in-game dialog and character interaction as well.

Graphics/Sound

The graphics in the game push the Gamecube to its limits. Volumetric fog and sand clouds, detailed texturing, and as mentioned above, fully realized artistic work make this game one of the Gamecube's most beautiful titles (rivalled only by Metroid Prime in this reviewer's opinion). The thematic unity of the palace landscapes make the player feel completely immersed in the ancient environment. The only problem with the graphics in the game is an occasional framerate slowdown, but these are limited and rarely, if ever, happen during critical moments in the game.

The sound ranks highly as well. The soundtrack is a wonderful mix of Middle Eastern vocals and rock guitar that ebbs and flows with the intensity of the game. The sound effects are executed perfectly as well. When a large rock block falls, it lands with a resounding boom. The sound effects associated with the time effects seem to be exactly what one would expect to hear. Even footfalls sound completely natural.

Play Time/Replayability

It took the reviewer just over 10 hours to complete the game on the first run through. There has been quite a bit of talk about how short the game is; however, when one considers how richly featured the game is, it comes as no surprise that 10 hours passes in the blink of an eye. As well, the original Prince of Persia is included as an unlockable in the game and, according to Ubisoft, a 3D version of the first level of Prince of Persia is also hidden somewhere. The GBA connectivity is nothing to write home about: (1) a few unlockables in the GBA version triggered by switches in the GC version and (2) while connected to the GBA version, your health with constantly regenerate in the GC game.

Like its brethren at the top of the GC heap (Zelda: The Wind Waker and Metroid Prime), PoP:SoT will need to be played more than once to be fully appreciated. It's like watching a movie that has so many great moments that you miss a few along the way.

Final Recommendation

This game can almost assuredly be beat within a rental period, but I strongly suggest a buy. Few games, on any consoles, are as beautiful to watch and play as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Action-adventure platform gaming will never be the same.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/25/03