Transported to a land of myth and legend - The Prince of Persia finds himself caught up in an epic battle between the primal forces of good and evil, the God of Light, Ormazd versus his brother Ahriman, the God of Darkness.
It is a story of light against darkness, of a nameless Prince and a princess named Elika, bound by fate in a desperate attempt to repel Ahriman, the god of darkness who corrupts everything he touches. Developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft, Prince of Persia (2008) is one of the franchise's boldest reinterpretations: an action-adventure and platformer that fully embraces the aesthetic of the illustrated Persian fairy tale.
The art direction is striking: the game world resembles an animated watercolour, with flat colour fields, sketched outlines and a colour palette that oscillates between the splendid and the nightmarish depending on whether you are restoring a corrupted area or not. The core gameplay rests on constant complementarity with Elika, who can launch the Prince into the air, create temporary platforms and save him from falls, eliminating all permanent death.
We loved: The unique art direction. Prince of Persia 2008 is one of the visually most distinctive games of its generation. Its cel-shaded watercolour palette gives it an animated-painting quality that has not aged.
We liked: The duo system with Elika. The co-movement mechanic lets Elika propel the Prince mid-jump to reach otherwise inaccessible zones, delivering unusual fluidity and freedom of movement. Their relationship, built through conversations along the way, gives the game genuine emotional depth.
Our highlight: Restoring the world. As you purify corrupted areas, the landscape transforms before your eyes, shifting from dark and threatening environments to lush, luminous settings. This visual transformation gives concrete and rewarding meaning to your progression.
Our tip to help you: Use Elika's projectiles to interrupt the Corrupted's charged attacks. During combat, many enemies have powerful attacks that visibly charge up, which you can cancel by triggering Elika's ranged ability at the right moment. This mechanic significantly simplifies difficult encounters. Combine it with the Prince's gliding attack immediately after to chain directly into an offensive sequence.
Who is this game for?
Prince of Persia is aimed at players aged 12 and over who enjoy accessible adventure and platformer games with strong visual and narrative identity. Particularly suited for players seeking a fluid and contemplative experience without the frustration of repeated deaths, while benefiting from exceptional art direction.
