Prince Of Persia

[gizze]

Anyone playing this??

Really, really enjoying it.

The graphics are just sublime and have a real cartoon feel to them, they are cel shaded in the the same way Zelda - Wind Waker was, but it has moved on in a big way.

The characters have a bit of banter and it works, normally hate it when they try and 'act', but this time it does seem to add to the gameplay.

The whole world is very open but each level is very obvious with a start/entrance, so there is no wandering round lost like on some games.

It is very much a platformer.

The world has been overcome by the Darkness (no not the group!) and you have to regain some fertile ground in each of the temples, you have to work your way to the top of each stage where the darkness has taken over, and doing so involves running along walls, swinging from beems and off poles, as your skills increase you will learn how to run along the ceiling of certain areas amongst other thinsg to get you to your goal.

There seems to be an imense pleasure in linking all your moves together in one flowing motion. You never die, you partner/guardian angel will always grab your hand and pull you back to safety from the last safe ledge you left.

This makes the game very relaxing and free from frsutration, it was a brave move but one that works very well.

If I had to start from the beginning each time I would have given up by now.

There are a few battles, and the fighting system is pretty basic but does work well, you tie moves together with blocks to cause maximum damage, luckily these battles don't happen too often so they are welcome when they do and never grate.

Once you have restored the fertile ground 60 orbs are released acros the level, you need so many to move onto the next area, but just coming back out of teh level will see you collecting enough to do this, well certainly near the start of the game, this may change as you progress of course.

However, the remaining orbs within the level are not easy to get, and the game suddenly becomes a decent puzzle.

The nice thing is you can choose whether you want to play as a straight platformer or as a puzzle game, a nice touch and perfect balance.

Overall one of the better games from the last year or so, and for the first time in agaes a game I am itching to get home and play again.

Top drawer!

[billy2shots]

I played "The sands of time" when it first came out. Got stuck about 3/4 of the way through trying to jump on a cave troll things back and slice that mother. Tried it about 50 times and no matter how many times i did it, the bloody thing wouldn't die. After that i never played it again.

Was great while it lasted, love the swinging on curtains and pausing time, but the time thing might not be on your game.

[RacingRed]

Thanks for the review gizzee. I know to avoid this one. Forgive me but I guess I must be what the PR folks call a 'hardcore' gamer. A game where you can't die is not a game in the sense that it isn't a skill based challenge.

Sands of Time was class.

[gizze]

Thanks for the review gizzee. I know to avoid this one. Forgive me but I guess I must be what the PR folks call a 'hardcore' gamer. A game where you can't die is not a game in the sense that it isn't a skill based challenge.

Sands of Time was class.

Haha, I would say exactly the opposite, this is for the hardcore gamer.

Over the last 8 years or so games have pandered to the masses, this feels fresh and different. You have the doom clones and the Metal Gear wannabes filling the shelves and nothing that feels different, this does and it has got me playing games again.

It reminds me alot of ICO, and the sort of thing you expect Treasure to put out.

Now ICO is a game that I would put up there in my top 5 games of all time.

You didn't die in that, but it was pure genius from start to finish.

[RacingRed]

Wow, you've played one of my absolute favourite games. Loved ICO, so perfect, like a fairytale on a disc. You could die though, or fail which is perhaps what I was originally getting at. The girl, Yorda, could be taken by the smoke men and dragged away, causing you to have to re-start from a save. Did you play Shadow of the Colossus by any chance? That was excellent as well, more storytelling in that game than any number of bloated B-movie cutscenes (*cough* Metal Gear *cough*).

[gizze]

I honestly didn't know that you could die in ICO, and never had Yorda taken away.

Yeah SOC was also great, not quite as good as ICO, but still very good.

I have tried to play the Metal Gear games but the only one I like was the first PS2 game, after that I gave up as the first 10 minutes of gameplay had about 30mins of cut scenes which I hate!!

[tom_hargreaves]

Really? You need to play MGS4 gizze, I would really encourage you to with all my heart because you seriously have no idea what your're missing. Long cut scenes aside it's the best game i've played this gear by an absolute lightgear...(See what I did there!!!)

Actually thinking about how good it was to play through MGS4 for me contends to be one of the top best 3 games i've ever played. Hands down. In fact, i'm going to have another play through when I get home.

If you want any more convincing see the IGN Review here: IGN Advertisement

Edited December 12, 2008 by tom_hargreaves

[gizze]

I will try it again, I only got as far as climbing into a bin and then went on holiday.

I will have another go.

[billy2shots]

Sorry my first post was wrong. It wasn't the "sands of time" i played, it was "The Warrior Within". Just been to my parents house and found it hidden away. I have a week off now and have just installed it but my fingers are hurting already because of the number of keys. Thinking about going to Game to pick up a cheap joy pad.

[billy2shots]

After nearly a month of playing this bloody Warrior Within i have finaly finished. It is the longest, hardest game i have ever completed, somtimes spending hours trying to find a way when it only takes seconds if you know where the little cracks or ledges are.

I have played it every other day and in the end my wife and Dad have also become wrapped up in my quest. This was an x mas present 3 years ago and after playing it for a few days i got stuck and lost interest. Thanks to Gizzies post i returned to it and if im honest i wish i hadn't. The game is great and the story second to none (even if confusing at times) but its my bloody nerves, they are shot away. I remember why i dont play these types of games now. I spent many an hour with my knees knocking together and in a sweety state as the next monster/minion would appear out of the dark or fog.

So no i wont be buying the new game thats out know and thanks very much Guy for putting me through 3 weeks of hell (i even took it to my familys house on x-mas day).

But i wouldn't change a thing, the relief to get to the end of the thing and to know that even if it took a couple of years it didn't beat me.

Now back to Football manager where i can spend hours thinking about things without being stabbed in the back or having my throat cut.

Edited January 7, 2009 by billy2shots
Because im the best

[gizze]

Haha, sounds more like the game beat you!!