Graphics 9/10

The environments are stunning. The sandy atmosphere of ancient Persia is not missed for a moment. The levels fill with character and beauty, and subtle details like curtains in the wind are executed well. The characters in the game are well animated as well. The Prince’s royal, but fierce appearance is a perfect match for the main character. Enemy appearances were great, but there was a slight lack of difference in the enemy design. Rarely do enemies look different in the heat of battle. Speaking of battle, the Prince is gifted with an enormous set of battle animations. When he darts back and forth across the screen, animations will change depending on distance and how weak the enemy is. This game is like looking in an old art book and reading through a picturesque story. It’s amazing.

Audio 8/10

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time cuts very few corners when it comes to audio. The old Arabian music style is brilliant to hear, and the music picks up tempo when a battle arises. The voice acting is top-notch, as the Prince’s personality is brought out as the game progresses. The sounds of falling rocks, waterfalls, and footsteps are done well. Enemy sounds, however, seem lacking. Although the grunts and screams are there, it just seemed a bit incomplete. Some more varied sounds would have been great. The narration of the story is done by the Prince himself, giving the game a presentation unlike any other. Sound is not a problem in this game.

Gameplay 9/10

This is the game’s strongest feature and it shows. In a very smart move, the storytelling is integrated into the game itself through the Prince’s narration. This allows for much more gameplay and very few cutscenes. The action remains constant. The biggest feature of gameplay is the Prince’s use of the Dagger of Time, a mystical dagger which has the power to control time. The Prince gets the dagger after being tricked by an evil vizier and accidently unleashes the Sands of Time, turning all the people into sand monsters. Gameplay in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time involves some excellent level design, making each room one big puzzle. The Prince’s moves are diverse. He can walk up walls, leap over gaps, and walk along beams, along with much more. The game is mostly trial and error, but the error part is significantly toned down thanks to the Dagger of Time. Using the Dagger, the Prince can reverse time. This makes the game’s acrobatic gameplay much easier and less frustrating. The Dagger, along with the Prince’s scimitar, are used during combat. Sand monsters will surround the Prince with every chance they get. Fortunately, the Prince has a nice set of techniques for disposing of foes. The combat is extremely fluid, especially when taking out large numbers of enemies. The Prince will jump across rooms, leap over enemies, and slash with his scimitar. The Dagger of Time can be fueled with enemy remains allowing more time-reversing. Combat is fluid, but like the enemies, lacks diversity. You do get to jump over enemies, but it would have been better if the Prince had a few more moves to use in combat. Also, the game is pretty linear, so you can usually complete things in only one fashion. Load times are surprisingly short, and rarely break the action up. If they do, it’s only for a short while. Besides that, the game plays incredibly well.

Replay Value 7/10

Way too short. The game is just too short, clocking out at a weekend of playing. Short as it is, the constant sense of style and beauty gives the game lasting appeal. You’ll want to play it again just to listen to the Prince’s deep and engaging narrative. Despite its short length, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is just good-looking and well-playing enough to go through at least one other time.

Final Verdict 9/10

This is why I love it when old series get revived. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is an epic story that cannot be missed. If you’re looking for a beautiful and artistic game, play this game. If you’re looking for a fast-paced action game, play this game. If you’re a gamer who needs to occupy a weekend, play this game. It’s an excellent achievement and cannot be missed.