Ubisoft has plenty of franchises under its umbrella, and some have fared better than others.Assassin’s Creedseems to be enjoying continued success whereasWatch Dogshas struggled to find its footing.Prince of Persiais one of the company’s most beloved titles, and though the 2008 reboot didn’t do much to move the needle, it’s a series that still has a lot of potential. As revealed at the recent Summer Game Fest showcase, it’s making a return asPrince of Persia: The Lost Crown, coming to consoles in 2024 with a 2D design.
It looks to harness the perspective that the original 1989 classic did decades ago and could be the best tide-over until a more high-budget offering hits shelves. LikeLara Croft and the Temple of Osirisdid forTomb Raider,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crowncould be a different option during the wait, and that delay is becoming a long one as the much-anticipatedSands of Timeremake is still nowhere to be seen. This is a worry, but if the Prince’s 2024 adventure catches fire, it could be a big indicator that theSands of Timetruly is a lost cause.
RELATED:Assassin’s Creed Mirage Can Beat Prince of Persia to the Punch
The Prince of Persia Has Needed a New Start for a While
It’s been a long time sincePrince of Persiawas dominating the action/adventure space. The PlayStation 2 was home to a few great outings, including 2003’sThe Sands of Time.Assassin’s Creedtook the reins not long after and implemented some of the parkour elements from the Prince but refined them into a historical fiction that continues to go strong to this day. It’s been dormant since 2010’sThe Forgotten Sands, with no new mainline game in 13 years.
The Lost Crownis returning to the series' roots, as the first game released in 1989 was a 2D platformer with a Metroidvania design. It’s continuing a trend thatCeleste, Dead Cells, andSonic Maniahave benefited from as there seems to be a resurgence of interest in 2D games, which has spurred plenty of quality experiences from both AAA and indie developers. WithThe Lost Crownreceiving a release date of June 29, 2025, it begs the question of how the remake ofThe Sands of Timeis faring given it was announced so long ago.
The Sands of Time Remake is Long Overdue
The release ofThe Sands of Timehas been significantly delayed, and over time, the project has faded into relative obscurity. It’s a project that excited players that were both returning to the story or experiencing it for the first time, but is now synonymous with unrealized expectations. ForThe Lost Crownto be announced and given a release date before any more updates have been revealed forThe Sands of Timeis worrying, and if the former succeeds and goes on to be a critical and commercial success, it could be a huge catalyst for people losing interest and patience inThe Sands of Time.
In a clear transition phase forThe Prince of Persia, experimenting with different ideas makes a lot of sense. Taking the fundamentals of the IP and using different gameplay ideas could give the series new life and help it to stand out among other action/adventure titles, even differentiating it fromAssassin’s Creed.Ifthe 2D approach thatThe Lost Crownis using takes off, it could be a strong indicator thatThe Sands of Timereally is a relic of the past.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownlaunches Jul 17, 2025, for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
MORE:Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake Should Lead to a Franchise Reboot, But Can It?
