One of Ubisoft’s most iconic creations till date return to the gaming scene. Not spilling blood on your PC and TV screens this time, Prince Of Persia, or POP, goes mobile! Yep, the latest hit mobile addiction is easily this title. And here’s why:
Story
Not many would expect a full-fledged story to complement the gameplay of this game, but take this from me, it has one of the most authentic POP storyline to its gameplay. Keeping it short and popular, the story pits the Prince as an outcast who is seeking ways to get to his destiny. And in the process discover the mysteries and save his princess.
The instant trigger that you may get here is perhaps, wait, I’ve seen this somewhere. Here comes Part 2 of the deal.
The Perfect Reboot
Storywise it may not be the righteous reboot to the 90s classic Prince of Persia, but in terms of gameplay and level designing, it is an identical twin. And it’s sweet! If you’ve played the original DOS version before and liked it, you will perhaps instantly fall for the game, the levels, the obstacles, the action, because it is a hardcore reminiscent of the game that woke you up at midnight, for one last round. But that was the 90s, and this year is 2013, you may be thinking, what has changed over the course of times…. That’s the next part we are about to get into.
The Graphics
In one word, the graphics are mindblowing! For the mobile breed, the graphics not only keep the gamer enchanted but elevate the whole concept of who needs graphics in mobile games?! Well, as POP shows, we all do! The game builds the retro POP setting with some heavily advanced graphical renditions, including the potion drinking animation and yes, some intricately designed walls, statues, corridors and rooftops. In fact, the graphics was so awesome that I felt I was actually gaming on a PS Vita.
The Score and Music
The Middle East Asian score is back with Prince Of Persia: Shadow and the Flame. The music is perfect for the game, but however gets repeated without consent. POP could’ve used so much in this area of concern, because I am looking straight at the background score of Warrior Within, one of my favourite POP games. The main battle would sound completely different to what would otherwise haunt you when you are climbing buildings.
The Motion and Acrobatics
Prince of Persia teaches other games how to master the gaming spirit even in the tight space of your device. The motion capturing is artistic and real. You jump across buildings, dodge spikes, roll through a passageway or sneak up behind an enemy, with precision! Climbing or dropping off buildings is seamless. POP shifts the mass appeal from games like Subway Surfers to what a ‘real’ game should be like. Like a man! Be it on the PC, Console or the Android/iOS device you are using.
The Combat
The flamboyance of Ubisoft comes down to one thing, and one thing only, combat. The game borrows the recently added ‘parry to counter’ combat system from Assassin’s Creed 2 and onwards. Based on how well you parry, you get a Tiger or Snake Strike. You need to hold your shield button down while the enemy is striking at you, and once his sword clashes against your shield, you can cause the remaining mayhem. You can escape levels without fighting much and consuming health potions, simply by tip toe walking while the enemy is facing the other way, and stealth kill him from behind. Stealth kill is an absolute joy of an addition to this underachiever.
The Controls
The game is designed beautifully, with stints of perfection here and there. However, don’t really know whether it’s with me or the world in general, the controls can get a bit messy. The screen size may not fit in all the right moves, at the right time, (it’s a touch game) leading to some extremely embarrassing falls from rooftops, bumping into unaware enemies or getting spiked on the stomach for no reason at all. But this is if you are treating this game as an excuse. If you treat Prince Of Persia: Shadow and the Flame just like any other game, you will get used to the controls and perhaps fare extraordinary as the game progresses.
Summing Up
We are welcoming the era of Next-Gen in some months time from now, with all major games opting to go big with their consoles while incorporating a standalone experience on the Android devices, known as Cross Platform Experience. Primarily you will focus on your console or PC, but you will be diverted to your device for further progression. And POP comes at this very hour before all that happens, to show that even an android device can turn into a hero. I was here for a Prince Of Persia experience, and Shadow and the Flame didn’t disappoint me, one tiny bit. YOU SHOULD GO FOR IT TOO!
*This game was reviewed on an iPad 4G.
