Reviving the Legendary Konami Franchise: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Holds the Key!
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown's return to its beloved 2D roots paves the way for a potential revival of the iconic Castlevania franchise, as fans eagerly anticipate Konami's next move
Highlights
The decision of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown to return to a 2D perspective is a daring move that could contribute to the franchise's relevance and distinguish it from Assassin's Creed.The accomplishment of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown's shift back to side-scrolling gameplay may inspire Konami to reassess the potential of a Castlevania resurgence with a similar approach.
The release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has the potential to inspire other franchises, such as Castlevania, to revitalize themselves by staying true to their origins while incorporating innovative elements within the 2D gaming realm.
As more high-profile franchises make their debut each year, established ones must strive to evolve in order to remain competitive. While timeless gaming icons like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokemon will always hold their place, staying relevant is crucial. Ubisoft, as a prominent developer and publisher, must continue to face the rising tide of new companies entering the gaming industry. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a bold and ambitious addition to a franchise that initially began on the Apple 2 but gained traction on the PlayStation 2 with The Sands of Time.
Prince of Persia is Going Back to its 2D Roots
Taking a step back to a 2D perspective may seem daring, but it holds significant potential for long-term benefits. Given Assassin's Creed's recent rise in popularity, it only makes sense for the franchise to explore a fresh approach. This decision could prove advantageous for Konami as well, as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown could serve as a valuable model for Castlevania's triumphant return, instantly creating a positive impact from the very beginning.
With the absence of the Sands of Time remake, Prince of Persia needs to find a fresh way to captivate and remain relevant to its audience. Although it already boasts a dedicated fan base, it must make a strong comeback with The Lost Crown to reignite people's enthusiasm and appeal to a new generation. A sensible approach is to shake things up by adopting a 2D perspective while staying true to its origins. This also ensures that the Prince does not encroach upon Assassin's Creed's territory, which could have been a possibility had it remained within the confines of its 3D action-adventure format.
Prince of Persia is a profoundly influential gaming series that has influenced Uncharted, Tomb Raider, and the aforementioned Assassin's Creed. Recently, its age has started to catch up with it. However, The Lost Crown appears to be the much-needed reinvention to ensure its relevance in an industry where numerous franchises are finding success. Similarly, Castlevania finds itself in a similar situation, much like Prince of Persia before the announcement of its new game at Summer Games Fest in June. If it does not receive a catalyst for a revival, it runs the risk of fading into obscurity.
Castlevania is Nowhere to be Seen
With the exception of the popular Netflix series, Castlevania has remained relatively quiet in recent years. It has been several decades since the series dominated the gaming landscape, and many would argue that its success in the 2D realm surpassed any attempts at 3D, like Lords of Shadow. Embarking on treacherous adventures through Dracula's castle in Symphony of the Night back in 1997 was a remarkable experience on the PlayStation, which boasted an array of remarkable games. However, Konami seems to have moved away from this beloved formula, leaving it behind after a substantial period of embracing it.
The success of Prince of Persia's return to a side-scrolling perspective could serve as further evidence to Konami that there is still significant potential for innovation in this philosophy. While Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night has proven that people are still drawn to Castlevania-like experiences, Ubisoft may be the company to demonstrate the monetary and creative value of going back to basics. With popular titles like Dead Cells, Celeste, and Hollow Knight, there is a clear demand for more, and Castlevania can regain its prominence by taking inspiration from Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Scheduled for release on January 18, 2024, this game will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
