​​​Prince of Persia: Lost Crown marks a bold and stylish return to the legendary franchise. Departing from the 3D cinematic format of its predecessors, this entry embraces a 2.5D side-scrolling Metroidvania style, combining fast-paced combat with intricate exploration and puzzle-solving. The mobile version of the game has recently released, offering players the original PoP experience right on their fingertips! This guide will be tailored towards new players as we will be exploring the different game mechanics and content that the game has to offer. Let’s start!

A New Hero and a New Adventure

In The Lost Crown, players step into the shoes of Sargon, a prodigious warrior and member of the elite Immortals. The story begins with the abduction of the Persian Prince, setting off a perilous rescue mission that leads Sargon into the heart of Mount Qaf—a mystical, decaying city riddled with temporal disturbances and ancient secrets. As Sargon, you must unravel the mysteries of time itself, confront enemies corrupted by forgotten forces, and grow stronger with every challenge you overcome.

Understanding the Gameplay Mechanics of Prince of Persia: Lost Crown

Unlike the fully 3D entries in the franchise, this game unfolds in a 2.5D side-scrolling environment, placing a strong emphasis on exploration and backtracking. Think of it as a fusion of the tight traversal of Ori and the Blind Forest, the layered world design of Hollow Knight, and the combat depth of Dead Cells. The world is built around interconnected zones, each with their own puzzles, secrets, and enemies. Many areas are inaccessible until you unlock specific abilities, encouraging you to revisit and fully explore previously visited regions.

Combat in The Lost Crown is fast, responsive, and skill-based. Sargon fights primarily with dual blades, offering a mix of light and heavy attacks that can be strung together into combos. Mastery of timing is crucial, as every enemy has attack patterns that reward precise dodges and parries. A well-timed parry not only avoids damage but also staggers your opponent, creating a window for counterattack. However, some enemy attacks that are marked with a golden flash cannot be blocked, and must be dodged instead.

As the game progresses, you gain access to Athra Surges, special abilities fueled by combat that offer powerful attacks, temporary buffs, or defensive maneuvers. You also unlock ranged weapons such as a bow, which proves essential in both combat and solving puzzles. Timing, positioning, and rhythm are vital during fights, and it pays to observe your enemies before diving into battle.

Platforming and Movement Control

If you enjoy games with dynamic movement, then you will instantly fall in love with Prince of Persia: Lost Crown. True to the series’ roots, platforming is at the heart of the game. From wall-jumping and sliding to mid-air dashing and bouncing between hazards, traversal in The Lost Crown is both challenging and satisfying. The game’s movement system is fluid, encouraging players to string together advanced maneuvers to reach hidden areas or escape danger. Some of the best secrets are locked behind complicated sequences that test your platforming skills to the limit.

What’s more? As you progress in the story, new movement abilities will be made available. These include double jumps, time-based dashes, or teleportation portals using which you’ll be able to access previously unreachable areas. These backtracking opportunities are central to the Metroidvania design philosophy. It’s highly recommended that you revisit earlier areas often to uncover collectibles, life upgrades, and new equipment.

Explore New Time Powers

A unique and defining feature of The Lost Crown is the use of Time Powers, echoing the iconic mechanics of previous entries in the series. Early on, you gain powers such as the Shadow of Simurgh, which allows Sargon to set a time marker and return to it instantly, and Rush of the Simurgh, a temporal dash that lets you zip through barriers and across wide gaps. These abilities are crucial in both combat and exploration, enabling you to bypass hazards, outmanoeuvre enemies, and solve intricate puzzles.

Players can enjoy playing Prince of Persia: Lost Crown on a bigger screen of their PC or Laptop via BlueStacks along with your keyboard and mouse.