Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review – Is It a Flop?

Anyone who remembers the 2010 Prince of Persia film knows the franchise has had a tough time shaking off that disappointment. But Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, released in January 2024, has pulled off something remarkable: a critical comeback that has players and reviewers alike rethinking what this series can achieve. Here we examine whether the game is a flop, how tough it really is, and where it stands among its predecessors and rivals.

Release Date: January 18, 2024 · Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier · Metacritic Score: 86/100 (PC) · Average Playtime: 25 hours (completionist) · Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

Here are the essential details at a glance.

Is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown flop?

Critical reception

The game earned a Metacritic score of 86 on PC, placing it well above the typical “good” threshold. Reviewers praised its fluid movement and world design.

One review from IGN gave it an 8/10, calling it “a triumphant return to form” (context from coverage). The PC version sits at 86 on Metacritic, while console versions score similarly.

Sales performance

Ubisoft has not released official sales figures, but the company stated the game “exceeded expectations” in an early 2024 earnings call (TheGamer gaming financial reporting).

Player reviews

Steam user reviews are “Very Positive” at over 85% of the 10,000+ ratings. Players highlight the satisfying combat and exploration (GameSpew player community analysis).

What this means: The combination of critical acclaim and strong player reception suggests The Lost Crown has successfully revived the franchise after the 2010 film setback.

Is Lost Crown a difficult game?

Difficulty options

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown offers four preset difficulties — Rookie, Warrior, Hero, and Immortal — plus a fully Custom mode. Each preset adjusts enemy health, damage, parry timing, dodge windows, and Athra gauge rates (TheGamer gaming guides).

The four presets and their key modifiers:

Data sourced from TheGamer and GameRant and Game8. Custom mode lets players individually tweak enemy HP, damage, parry window, dodge timing, and Athra rates (GameRant). Difficulty can be changed at any time during gameplay with no restrictions (GameSpew policy reference).

Combat challenges

Combat is precision-based, with a parry system that changes timing windows per difficulty. On Immortal, parry difficulty is “Hard” — meaning the window is tighter (Game8). The Athra gauge management adds another layer: losing health reduces Athra faster on higher difficulties.

Platforming difficulty

Platforming sections are the same across all difficulty presets, meaning the game’s traversal puzzles remain unchanged. GameSpew notes that even skilled players may struggle with late-game platforming.

Why this matters: The flexible difficulty system means the game can be tailored to each player’s skill level, removing the “too hard” barrier while preserving challenge for those who want it.

Which Prince of Persia game is considered the best?

The Sands of Time (2003)

Many fans and critics rank The Sands of Time as the best entry in the series. It holds a 91 Metacritic on GameCube and is often praised for its story and innovative time-manipulation mechanics (GameRant franchise analysis).

The Lost Crown (2024)

The Lost Crown has reignited debate, with many placing it among the top three. Its 86 Metacritic and “Very Positive” Steam rating put it in close contention (TheGamer).

Warrior Within

The 2004 sequel is polarizing — darker tone and more combat-focused. It has a dedicated fanbase but scores lower critically (84 Metacritic on PS2).

The pattern: The Sands of Time still holds the crown for many, but The Lost Crown’s modern design and accessibility make it a strong contender for the series’ best.

Which is better, Prince of Persia or Assassin’s Creed?

Gameplay differences

Prince of Persia revolves around platforming, puzzle-solving, and tight combat in enclosed levels. Assassin’s Creed is an open-world stealth-action series with RPG elements. The Lost Crown is a Metroidvania, while Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023) is a more focused stealth game.

Story and setting

Both explore historical mythologies. Prince of Persia draws from Persian mythology; Assassin’s Creed covers various eras. Assassin’s Creed actually began as a spiritual successor to Prince of Persia (TheGamer gaming history).

Franchise evolution

Ubisoft publishes both, but they target different audiences. Prince of Persia is for players who prefer linear, challenge-oriented experiences; Assassin’s Creed for those who want open-ended exploration and narrative-heavy worlds.

The catch: Comparing them directly is like comparing a racing game to a flight simulator — they share a publisher but serve distinct tastes.

What is the longest Prince of Persia game?

The Lost Crown playtime

According to GameSpew game length analysis, The Lost Crown takes about 20 hours for the main story and 25–30 hours for a completionist run.

Sands of Time length

The Sands of Time can be finished in about 10 hours for the main story.

Two Thrones length

The Two Thrones (2005) also runs around 10 hours. GameRant franchise comparisons confirms that The Lost Crown is the longest entry in the series so far.

The implication: Players who value extensive exploration and side content will find the most value in The Lost Crown.

“The Lost Crown is a triumphant return to form for a series that many had written off.”

— IGN reviewer, paraphrased from IGN (gaming editorial)

“The sheer number of options in the custom difficulty mode makes this one of the most accessible action games in years.”

— GameRant (game guides analysis)

For longtime fans, the real test was whether Ubisoft could deliver a game that felt both classic and modern. TheGamer gaming community perspective notes that the community response has been overwhelmingly positive.

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