Why Every Metroidvania Needs to Embrace Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown's Brilliant Feature

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a bold reimagining of the series, introducing a modern, AAA metroidvania experience. As the first of its kind in the series, it introduces innovative new concepts that set it apart from other exploration-based games. One standout feature is Memory Shards, a simple yet game-changing addition that offers a new level of convenience for players.

In The Lost Crown, Memory Shards serve as a limited but reusable resource that allows players to capture and pin screenshots to their map with a single button press. This feature is particularly useful for players familiar with metroidvania games like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night or Metroid Dread, as it streamlines the process of revisiting previously explored areas to access previously inaccessible locations. Memory Shards make it easier to keep track of locked doors and impassable chasms, providing a clear visual reference without the need for guesswork or unnecessary backtracking.

Upon returning to a previously explored area marked with a Memory Shard, you have the option to clear it from your map and reuse it to mark another location. Starting with 10 Memory Shards, your inventory can be expanded as you progress through the campaign. My review experience consistently left me with a surplus of spares, indicating that the game encourages maintaining a healthy stock of shards at all times.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is packed with convenient quality-of-life features, including a Guided mode and multiple difficulty sliders. You have the freedom to use or ignore these features as you see fit. For those seeking a more traditional metroidvania experience, simply opt out of engaging with these systems. However, it's the Memory Shards that truly stand out, representing a breakthrough moment for the metroidvania genre - a discovery that other game developers should emulate to enhance their own games and make them more compelling and accessible.

Our review of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown describes it as a game that marks a significant change for the franchise. Just like Sands of Time, which took the classic platformer series into 3D, this new genre debut is confident and impeccably crafted, setting the tone for future Prince of Persia games.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is set to release on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S on January 18, with early access available on January 15 for deluxe edition purchasers or Ubisoft+ subscribers. A free demo of the game is currently available.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the upcoming release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and its innovative Memory Shards feature. This feature addresses a common pain point in metroidvania games, where players often struggle to remember the locations of important items or areas they need to revisit. The ability to capture and pin screenshots to the map with a single button press is a brilliant solution that streamlines exploration and reduces the need for guesswork or backtracking.

I appreciate that the game offers a range of difficulty options and quality-of-life features, allowing players to customize their experience according to their preferences. The Guided mode and multiple difficulty sliders provide accessibility for players of all skill levels, while the Memory Shards feature enhances the overall gameplay experience by making it easier to navigate the game world.