For years, the Prince of Persia franchise lingered in a strange limbo. Despite its immense influence on action-adventure gaming, the series seemed destined to live in the shadow of its legacy as fans waited endlessly for signs of a meaningful return. When Ubisoft finally revived the franchise, it did so in a way few expected. Rather than chasing blockbuster trends or attempting to recreate past glories beat for beat, it handed the series to teams with a deep understanding of side-scrolling action design. The result is Prince of Persia: New Era Bundle, a package that brings together two of the strongest entries the franchise has seen in decades.
What makes this collection particularly fascinating is how different its two games are. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a carefully structured Metroidvania built around exploration, progression, and mastery. The Rogue Prince of Persia, meanwhile, embraces the fast-paced unpredictability of the roguelite genre. On paper, they could not be more different. In practice, they complement each other beautifully, offering two distinct interpretations of what makes Prince of Persia special.
The Lost Crown’s Brilliant Reinvention
The headline attraction for many players will undoubtedly be Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Rather than casting players as the familiar Prince, Ubisoft Montpellier introduces Sargon, a young warrior and member of the elite Immortals. His mission begins as a straightforward rescue but quickly spirals into a far more complex journey through the mysterious, time-distorted world of Mount Qaf.
From the outset, The Lost Crown demonstrates a remarkable understanding of the Metroidvania genre. Exploration feels natural and rewarding, with each new ability unlocking fresh possibilities across the sprawling map. Mount Qaf itself is a wonderfully crafted setting that constantly surprises with hidden paths, environmental storytelling, and cleverly designed puzzles. Every corner of the world feels deliberately placed, rewarding curiosity without overwhelming the player.
What elevates the experience further is how seamlessly traversal and combat work together. Sargon’s growing arsenal of time-based powers transforms both exploration and combat into increasingly elaborate tests of skill. New abilities never feel like simple keys that unlock doors. Instead, they become tools that encourage creative thinking and experimentation, making progression consistently satisfying throughout the adventure.
Combat That Feels Exceptional
Combat has always played a role in Prince of Persia, but The Lost Crown arguably delivers the strongest combat system the series has ever seen. Encounters are fast, responsive, and wonderfully fluid. Every weapon strike feels impactful, while dodges, parries, and special abilities create a rhythm that rewards precision without being overly punishing.
Boss battles are particularly memorable. These encounters are not simply larger enemies with bigger health bars. They demand genuine mastery of the mechanics, often requiring players to combine movement, timing, and offensive capabilities in increasingly inventive ways. Victory feels earned, and the sense of accomplishment after defeating a challenging boss is immense.
One of the game’s smartest innovations is its Memory Shard system. Players can place screenshots directly on the map to remind themselves of areas that may become accessible later. It is such a simple idea, yet it solves one of the most common frustrations in the genre. Instead of relying on memory or external notes, players can create their own visual reminders, making exploration far more intuitive and enjoyable.
A Different Kind of Prince
While The Lost Crown delivers a grand, carefully structured adventure, The Rogue Prince of Persia takes a very different approach. Developed by Evil Empire, the team behind Dead Cells, this roguelite spin on the franchise focuses on speed, momentum, and replayability.
The story is intentionally lighter, following the Prince as he tries to save his kingdom from a magical invasion. The narrative takes a back seat to gameplay, but the presentation remains charming and full of personality. The comic-inspired art style gives the game a distinct identity while preserving the adventurous spirit fans expect from the franchise.
What immediately stands out is the movement system. Wall-running, vaulting, sliding, and chaining together acrobatic manoeuvres feel fantastic. Few games capture the sensation of constant motion as effectively. Simply traversing the environment becomes enjoyable in its own right, creating a flow state that keeps you engaged long after a run begins.
The Joy of Starting Over
Like any strong roguelite, The Rogue Prince of Persia recognises that failure is part of the experience. Every defeat becomes an opportunity to learn, adapt, and return stronger. New weapons, abilities, and upgrades constantly reshape your approach, ensuring that no two runs feel exactly the same.
Combat leans into aggression and mobility. Rather than carefully analysing every encounter, players are encouraged to stay in motion, react quickly, and take calculated risks. The result is an experience that feels wonderfully energetic and highly replayable.
Evil Empire has clearly applied lessons from years of roguelite development. Progression feels meaningful, experimentation is encouraged, and the game constantly finds new ways to surprise players. Even after dozens of runs, there remains a powerful urge to dive back in for just one more attempt.
Two Distinct Visual Identities
One of the most impressive aspects of the bundle is how effectively both games establish distinct visual identities. The Lost Crown embraces a richly detailed fantasy world inspired by Persian mythology. Environments are vibrant, varied, and packed with visual detail. Character animations are exceptional, ensuring every movement feels smooth and deliberate. Whether navigating ancient temples or confronting monstrous creatures, the game consistently looks spectacular.
The Rogue Prince of Persia adopts a bolder, more stylised approach. Its comic-book-inspired presentation gives the action a colourful, energetic quality that suits its faster pace. While less visually grand than The Lost Crown, it possesses a charm and confidence all its own. The contrast between the two games helps prevent the bundle from ever feeling repetitive.
Both titles also benefit from excellent performance and responsive controls. In games so heavily dependent on movement and timing, technical reliability is essential, and both experiences deliver exactly that.
Soundtracks Fit for Royalty
Audio design plays a significant role in both adventures. The Lost Crown features a sweeping soundtrack that blends traditional influences with modern orchestration. Music enhances every moment, from quiet exploration to intense boss encounters, helping to establish a powerful atmosphere.
Voice acting is equally impressive, bringing the characters and world to life with conviction and authenticity. Sargon quickly establishes himself as a protagonist worth following, while the supporting cast adds depth to the broader narrative.
The Rogue Prince of Persia adopts a more energetic musical approach. Its soundtrack complements the game’s momentum-driven gameplay beautifully, keeping the action moving at a brisk pace. Sound effects are crisp and satisfying, ensuring every successful strike, dodge, and acrobatic move feels impactful.
A Bundle That Celebrates the Future
Perhaps the greatest achievement of the Prince of Persia: New Era Bundle is how effectively it showcases the franchise’s flexibility. For years, there were concerns that Prince of Persia had become trapped by expectations surrounding its past. These two games prove the exact opposite.
The Lost Crown successfully reinvents the series as a world-class Metroidvania while preserving its focus on movement and adventure. The Rogue Prince of Persia transforms those same principles into a thrilling roguelite experience centred on speed and experimentation. Neither game feels like a compromise, nor does either rely solely on nostalgia to succeed.
Together, they represent a creative confidence that has been missing from the franchise for far too long. This is not a collection looking backwards. It is a collection showing exactly where Prince of Persia can go next.
Final Verdict
The Prince of Persia: New Era Bundle is one of the finest collections Ubisoft has released in years. By pairing two exceptional games that approach the franchise from completely different angles, it offers incredible value while showcasing the enduring strength of Prince of Persia’s core design philosophy. Movement, exploration, combat, and discovery remain at the heart of both experiences, even as they pursue very different goals.
The Lost Crown stands among the best Metroidvanias of the modern era, delivering outstanding world design, rewarding progression, and some of the strongest combat the genre has to offer. The Rogue Prince of Persia provides the perfect companion piece, offering endlessly replayable action built around fluid movement and addictive roguelite progression. Together, they form a package that feels fresh while remaining respectful of the franchise’s rich history.
For longtime fans, this bundle serves as a reminder of why Prince of Persia became a beloved gaming icon. For newcomers, it offers two outstanding entry points into a series that finally feels alive and relevant once again. If the future of Prince of Persia looks anything like this, the franchise’s best days may still lie ahead.
