Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown – Why Side, Jump & Dash Changes Everything

The Prince of Persia franchise has returned with Prince of Persia : The Lost Crown, proving that Ubisoft still understands what made this series legendary.

Prince of Persia : The Lost Crown it’s a carefully crafted 2.5D Metroidvania that honors the series’ roots while introducing groundbreaking time manipulation mechanics. Available on mobile (iOS/Android), Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, it offers one of the most polished action-platformer experiences in recent memory.

What makes The Lost Crown adventure special? Three key innovations:

1. Time as a Gameplay Tool – Not just a gimmick, but fully integrated into combat, puzzles and platforming

2. Metroidvania Done Right – A perfectly paced progression of ability unlocks and world openings

3. Mobile Parity – Console quality gameplay adapted for touchscreens without compromise

Prince of Persia : The Lost Crown Overview: What You’re Getting Into

Genre & Platform Considerations

• Type: 2.5D Metroidvania with heavy action platforming elements

• Mobile vs Console: Identical content across platforms, with mobile offering:

  • Customizable touch controls

  • Full controller support

  • Cloud save syncing (with Ubisoft Connect)

The Premise

You play as Sargon, youngest member of elite warriors called The Immortals, tasked with rescuing the kidnapped Prince Ghassan. The mythical city of Mount Qaf serves as your sprawling playground, filled with:

• Ancient Persian inspired architecture

• Time-bending anomalies

• Deadly traps and puzzles

• Mystical enemies from Persian folklore

Time Investment

• Main Story: 15-20 hours

• 100% Completion: 25-30 hours

• Replay Value: New game+, speedrun modes, and hidden challenges

Prince of Persia : The Lost Crown Features That Redefine the Franchise

Metroidvania World Design

Mount Qaf is a masterclass in interconnected level design:

• Ability-Gated Progression: Each new time power opens previously inaccessible paths

• Smart Backtracking: Fast travel points and shortcuts minimize frustration

• Hidden Chambers: Over 50 secret rooms containing:

  • Health upgrades

  • Time crystal fragments

  • Lore scrolls

  • Cosmetic items

Pro Tip: The map marks areas where you’ve seen but can’t yet reach collectibles – no need for manual notes.

Combat System Depth

The swordplay system offers surprising complexity:

• Basic Mechanics:

  • Light/heavy attack combos

  • Perfect parry timing (creates time slowdown)

  • Air juggles and wall attacks

• Time Integration:

  • Rewind recent actions (3 second window)

  • Temporary time freeze bursts

  • Dash that briefly slows enemies

Advanced Tech: Chain time dashes between enemies to create “frozen” combat arenas.

Time Powers Breakdown

Character Progression Systems

Three parallel upgrade paths:

1. Amulets: 32 collectible modifiers providing:

   • Stat boosts (+health, +damage)

   • Gameplay tweaks (longer parry windows)

   • Radical changes (convert health to time power)

2. Weapon Upgrades: Enhance your dual swords at forges with:

   • Damage increases

   • New combo paths

   • Elemental effects

3. Ability Unlocks: Story-gated powers that enable:

   • New movement options

   • Combat enhancements

   • Puzzle solutions

Visuals & Performance: Beauty in Motion

Art Direction

The 2.5D perspective showcases:

• Persian Architectural Details:

  • Intricate tilework

  • Soaring vaulted ceilings

  • Authentic decorative motifs

• Character Designs:

  • Sargon’s fluid animations (12,000+ frames)

  • Enemy variety drawing from Persian myths

  • Bosses with distinct visual identities

Animation Quality

• Combat Fluidity: 60fps attacks with seamless transitions

• Platforming Precision: Pixel-perfect collision detection

• Mobile Optimization: Dynamic resolution scaling maintains performance

Control Options

• Touch Controls:

  • Customizable button layouts

  • Adjustable opacity/size

  • Context-sensitive inputs

• Controller Support:

  • Full button remapping

  • Haptic feedback (where supported)

  • Console parity

Performance Metrics

• Mobile Requirements:

  • iOS: A12 Bionic or later

  • Android: Snapdragon 855+/8GB RAM

• Load Times:

  • <3 seconds on current-gen

  • <5 seconds on mobile flagships

Gameplay Systems

Movement Mastery

The platforming demands precision:

• Core Techniques:

  • Wall-run chaining

  • Crouch-slide under obstacles

  • Directional air dashes

• Time-Enhanced Moves:

  • Rewind missed jumps

  • Slow falling platforms

  • Dash through timed barriers

Pro Tip: Many “impossible” jumps become possible by chaining time powers creatively.

Combat Strategies

Enemy types require different approaches:

• Standard Fodder: Combo fodder, use to build meter

• Shielded Foes: Require parries or heavy attacks

• Ranged Units: Priority targets

• Mini-Bosses: Test your build effectiveness

Puzzle Philosophy

Environmental puzzles focus on:

• Timing Challenges: Using slow mo to extend windows

• Spatial Awareness: Hidden paths only visible when moving

• Ability Combinations: Later puzzles require chaining powers

Progression Planning

Smart upgrade priorities:

1. Early Game: Mobility > Health > Basic Damage

2. Mid Game: Time Power Efficiency > Special Moves

3. Late Game: Niche Amulets > Max Weapon Upgrades

What Players Are Saying About The Lost Crown

Why This Game Resonates

1. Skill Progression That Feels Earned
The way Sargon grows from a capable warrior to a time bending powerhouse keeps players engaged. Key progression highlights:

• First 5 Hours: Basic sword combos and single time power

• Mid-Game: Ability to chain time dashes between enemies

• Endgame: Full arsenal allowing creative sequence breaks

2. Exploration That Rewards Curiosity
The Metroidvania structure shines through:

• 93% of players report finding at least one major secret by accident

• Hidden chambers contain:

  • Permanent health upgrades (32 total)

  • Time crystal fragments (for ability boosts)

  • Lore tablets expanding Persian mythology

3. A Franchise Reborn
Longtime fans appreciate:

• Callbacks to original trilogy mechanics

• Modernized platforming physics

• Fresh take on time manipulation

Common Pain Points

1. Difficulty Spikes
Particular challenges players cite:

• The Twin Guardians boss (requires perfect parry timing)

• Tower of Silence platforming section (precision jumps + enemies)

• Final time trial challenges (demand mastery of all mechanics)

2. Mobile Control Adaptation
Touchscreen users note:

• Default layout needs customization

• Precision parries harder without tactile feedback

• Smaller screens make some platforming tricky

Pro Tip: Enable “input buffering” in mobile settings for more forgiving controls.

3. Understanding the 4.5+ Star Rating
Score distribution shows:

• ★★★★★ (68%) – Praise for combat/exploration balance

• ★★★★☆ (25%) – Love with minor complaints

• ★★★☆☆ (5%) – Frustrated by difficulty

• ★★☆☆☆ (2%) – Technical issues on older devices

Combat Mastery: How Fighting Works in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Core Mechanics Breakdown

The combat system layers three key elements:

1. Swordplay Fundamentals

• Light Attacks: Fast strikes to build combos

• Heavy Attacks: Break guards/armor

• Parry: Timed block creates openings

• Air Combat: Juggle enemies with uppercuts

2. Time Power Integration

• Rewind (RT/R2): Undo 3 seconds of mistakes

• Time Slow (LT/L2): Create tactical windows

• Phase Dash: Become briefly intangible

3. Amulet Customization
Equip up to 5 modifiers like:

• Vengeful Amulet: Counterattacks after parry

• Eagle Eye: Ranged attacks pierce

• Time Weaver: Extend slow-mo duration

Advanced Combat Strategies

1. Optimal Upgrade Path
Priority purchases:

1. Health Flask Capacity (immediate survivability)

2. Time Power Efficiency (more rewinds/slows)

3. Air Combo Extensions (vertical crowd control)

2. Enemy-Specific Counters

 

3. Mobile Combat Tweaks

• Increase button sizes by 20%

• Enable “auto parry” assist mode

• Position dodge/rewind buttons near thumbs

Beyond Combat: Progression Secrets

Hidden Collectible Guide

• Health Upgrades: Often behind time based door puzzles

• Amulets: Hidden in false walls (listen for echo sounds)

• Lore Tablets: Reward completionists with backstory

Boss Pattern Cheat Sheets

Twin Guardians Fight:

• Phase 1: Alternate sword swings (parry the flashing weapon)

• Phase 2: Adds synchronized ground slams (time jump)

• Phase 3: Desperation moves (save rewind for this)

Speedrun Tech

Sequence breaks allow:

• Early access to Upper City via precise dash jumps

• Skipping 2 minor bosses with out-of-bounds tricks

• Current Any% record: 1h42m (PC)

How It Compares To Similar Games: 

 

Unique Advantage: The Lost Crown’s time mechanics create gameplay possibilities no other Metroidvania offers.

Community & Future Updates

Current Player Activity

• Speedrun Community: 200+ verified runs on Speedrun.com

• Discord: 15K+ members sharing discoveries

• Wiki: Complete maps of all collectibles

Ubisoft’s Support

• Recent patch added:

  • Additional difficulty options

  • Mobile control presets

  • Bug fixes for rare softlocks

What’s Next?

• Datamined files suggest:

  • New time trial challenges

  • Cosmetic DLC packs

  • Possible arena mode

Who Will Love This

 Metroidvania veterans craving challenge
Prince of Persia fans wanting nostalgia done right
Players who enjoy mastering complex systems

Potential Frustrations

 Some trial and error platforming
Touch controls require tuning
Late game bosses demand perfection

Unforgettable Moments

• First successful time rewind combo

• Discovering major sequence breaks

• Defeating the final boss flawlessly

Conclusion

9/10 – A New Standard for Action Metroidvanias
While the difficulty won’t suit everyone, The Lost Crown delivers one of the most satisfying combat systems in recent memory, wrapped in gorgeous Persian inspired visuals. Its mobile version stands as a rare example of console quality gameplay adapted perfectly for on the go play.

FAQs

Where can I get  download for mobile?

• • Google Play

  • Official Site

What does “Side, Jump and Dash: All at Your Fingertips” mean in gameplay?

• • This refers to the core movement trio: sliding under obstacles, precision jumping, and time powered dashes that are essential for progression

How long is the free trial version?

• • The trial covers the first 2 hours of gameplay including the initial time power unlock

Are mobile controls customizable for platforming?

• • Yes – button size, opacity, and layout can be adjusted in settings for better precision

What makes the combat different from previous Prince of Persia games?

• • Time powers are now fully integrated into combos rather than just puzzle solving tools