Following the release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, The Rogue Prince of Persia is yet another instalment to the critically acclaimed Prince of Persia franchise. Developed by Evil Empire, and published by Ubisoft, this fast-paced roguelite looks to have players testing their hand-eye coordination as they leap and dash through this 2D side-scroller.

As we come closer to the planned release date, 15th May 2024, MKAU Gaming was treated to a small hands-on preview of what is to come, and even if you’re not a fan of the franchise, The Rogue Prince of Persia looks like it could quickly change your mind.

The Hun are invading Persia, bolstered by the evil magics of a dark shaman, and it is up to you, the Prince, to save your kingdom. You’re not alone in your quest, and as you leap and dash around this simple but charming platformer, you’ll meet new characters, gather important information and explore unique locations.

Your journey will be fraught with danger, but as you venture forth into each procedurally generated level, new weapons will aid you in defeating the Hun, and magical trinkets can be customised to enhance your chosen playstyle, helping you to seamlessly flow between smooth acrobatic movements and agile combat.

If a slower and more direct approach is more your style, equip a brutal two-handed axe to smash groups of enemies, or a longsword to deliver heavier damage to a single target.

Gameplay is very fluid, and the artistic choices match this well, with its comic-like graphics style offering exaggerated slashes as you sing your weapons, or puffs of dust as you wall-run to cover distances that would otherwise be too far. It vaguely reminds me of some of those late-night Cartoon Network cartoons in how it feels, though with a mostly brighter disposition.

Though in saying that, it would seem that we’ll come across some darker areas, lit only by big flickering lamps.

The comic-like feeling is further enhanced by the sound effects, with devastating thuds and piercing swishes as you carve up the Hun, while a punchy mix of bass-heavy tones and Persian themes blast away in the background.

The Rogue Prince of Persia will certainly capture the attention of franchise fans and newcomers alike. Offering challenging new levels with each run, and the ability to play your way, this Roguelite from Evil Empire is bound to keep you coming back for more.

Written by: MKAU Gaming