Ubisoft has handed The Rogue Prince of Persia to Evil Empire, the studio behind Dead Cells, and on PlayStation 5 the result (after an Early Access period on PC) is a bold reimagining of the classic series. Instead of a straightforward action-adventure, this entry embraces roguelite design, pushing players to test their skill in fast, looping runs that blend acrobatic traversal with fluid combat. At its heart lies the idea of failure as progress – death resets your run but also teaches you new routes, introduces fresh gear, and steadily builds mastery over the Prince’s lethal agility. It’s an approach that won’t appeal to everyone, but it gives the game a distinct identity within Ubisoft’s long-running franchise.
Narratively, the setup is both familiar and fresh. The Prince carries the burden of a grave mistake that doomed his people, and each run doubles as an attempt to undo the past. The story is told in fragments, woven through encounters and exploration rather than traditional cutscenes, which fits the roguelite structure well but sometimes leaves the narrative feeling thin in the early hours. Still, there’s a genuine sense of purpose to your repeated attempts, making progress feel like more than just numbers and loot.
Gameplay is where The Rogue Prince of Persia shines brightest. The parkour-heavy design immediately recalls the series’ legacy, with wall-runs, vaults, and chained leaps feeling smooth and rewarding. Combat flows directly out of that mobility: you can weave between enemies, launch aerial strikes, and dodge traps in a way that feels both stylish and precise. The variety of weapons and medallions is impressive, offering over a hundred options that encourage experimentation. However, some builds feel noticeably stronger than others, which can make the balance uneven across runs.
Controls are crucial for a game built on agility, and Evil Empire delivers tight responsiveness. The Prince’s movements are intuitive, with a natural rhythm to chaining wall-runs into attacks or dodges. Occasionally, the platforming can feel unforgiving, particularly in sections with layered traps, but the learning curve rewards persistence rather than punishing it outright). Once the mechanics click, there’s a satisfying flow that makes even failed runs enjoyable.
Visually, the game stands out with a clean, comic-inspired art style that favors clarity over excess detail. Environments are varied, ranging from ruined fortresses to shifting desert landscapes, each designed to complement the Prince’s acrobatics. The stylization also ensures that traps and hazards are clearly readable, which is essential for such fast-paced action. The soundtrack ties it all together with percussive, high-energy tracks that mirror the rhythm of combat and traversal. Some players may find the repetition of musical cues during long sessions a bit grating, but overall, the audio design amplifies the sense of momentum.
Ultimately, The Rogue Prince of Persia is a confident experiment that merges Ubisoft’s long-running series with Evil Empire’s roguelite expertise. Its narrative may take a backseat to its mechanics, and its balance may need fine-tuning, but the blend of stylish combat, challenging platforming, and replayable structure makes it a compelling addition to the franchise. For fans of roguelites and those willing to embrace repeated failure as a form of progress, this PlayStation 5 outing captures the spirit of the Prince in an exciting new way.
Score: 8.3/10
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