LogFAQs > #920003423

I think we've finally reached the part of the list where I can confidently send out a blanket recommendation for any of the games on this list! We're not quite at the 'if you don't like this i question your humanity' section, but we will get there eventually.

#41: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

This one's on the list through a technicality. In 2004 or so, I was a frugal child. I bought a used copy of the xbox version of Sands of Time from gamestop. I could hardly put the game down for two days. I finished it, and promptly returned it for full price.

Was getting a free rental unscrupulous? Maybe.

I own a copy through some sort of bundle or free giveaway, and I honestly can't remember if I completed it a second time.

This game is a wonderfully encapsulated cinematic experience.

I'll just list my favorite things about the game. The way the enemies dissipate into voluminous sand when they're sliced. The way the game is structured, with the prince telling the game as a story to convert a princess, and every time you die the prince walks it back and says 'ah... THAT's not how it happened.' The unrealistic, but still believable jumps and flips the prince makes without dashing around at obviously superhuman speeds or jumping on air. In fact, the ponderous and human pace everywhere. The dodge rolls, and deliberate animations in general. The water graphics and bloom. The fact that the game doesn't drag on forever makes sure it doesn't overstay its welcome. The satisfying end to combat when you suck the sand out of them with your dagger.

In retrospect, it's cute when the game tries to show off the 'new and revolutionary' cloth physics this generation of consoles brought with it.

Rewinding time is still so cool. It's mostly played for takebacks and cinematics rather than a puzzle element, which makes it fun to use. This game undoubtedly influenced games like uncharted, god of war, and batman down the line.

Thinking of downsides- the combat gets repetitive. These melee-fighting games hadn't quite finalized the formula yet. And the flying enemies were a little irritating. Enemy variety wasn't amazing. Later on in the game I spent a lot of time doing flips over people with a double slash on the way down just to stay safe.

I own the rest of the 3d prince of persia games from the 2000s (probably from the same bundle), but I've somehow never made it more than an hour into any of them. There's a special charm to Sands of Time, and its short length- i wanna say it takes 10 hours- means it's a small investment for a great experience. It's like reading the video game equivalent to a novella
---

You did indeed stab me in the back. However, you are only level one, whilst I am level 50. That means I should remain uninjured.