Gaming Prince of Persia: Warrior Within

[Semjaza]

Well, apparently Prince of Persia finally sold rather well across all three platforms despite all news to the contrary (almost two and a half million copies total). So, Ubisoft Montreal is preparing a sequel.

I've still not gotten to play more than five minutes of the first game, although I would really like to. The biggest complaint I heard about the game was over the apparently crappy fighting engine. Ubisoft is addressing this by creating something they call a "freeform" fighting system. Apparently this means you can easily string together any move into an attack. According to IGN: "it will be possible to move from a swipe to a stab to a summersault to a rail slide, or heel grab, or whatever."

[quote]Ubi is keeping us quiet on many of the other wonderful details regarding this game, hence no explanation as to how the other minor faults of the original will be remedied, but the press release does offer some addition details. Our hero, the mighty Prince, will venture deep into the "infernal core of a cursed island stronghold harboring mankind's greatest fears" and will eventually hone his previously established time manipulation skills to "control the Ravages of Time." We also know that this sequel's theme will be much darker than the original and the hardened Prince's quest revolves around him "defying a preordained death." Sweetness.[/quote]

Otherwise, the game looks great from a graphical standpoint. Certainly more so than the orginal game from what I've played on Xbox.

[IMG]http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/article/511/511948/prince-of-persia-2-200405061113289.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/article/511/511948/prince-of-persia-2-200405061113555.jpg[/IMG]


By the way, Prince of Persia 2 is just the working title. Those who keep up with the series should know that a PoP2 already exists... I'm assuming they'll just call this Prince of Persia: (insert subtitle here), like the last one.

[Guest ScirosDarkblade]

I enjoyed the original until about halfway through, after which it got really old for me. And after playing Ninja Gaiden, I can't even look at PoP. This one seems to have improved on the fighting mechanics, which is great. I'm looking forward to seeing it in action.

[Joe]

I wouldn't say that the fighting engine in Sands of Time sucked; I liked that it was possible to do some cool moves (i.e. vaulting, pushing off walls), but the fighting did get extremely redundant. It was the same thing every time you fought, except for the occasional new enemy.

Anyway, I really enjoyed POP The Sands Of Time, and I think it's great that there's going to be a sequel. Two swords? That is gonna make the game so much better.

[Shinmaru]

I never got to play Sands of Time all too much, though I really wanted to buy it at one point, heh. All the news I'd heard pointed to sub-par sales for Sands of Time, too, so it's surprising to hear that it sold over two and a half million copies lol.

Anyway, I'd heard all the complaints about the fighting engine, but I didn't get to play Sands of Time long enough to either debunk or justify that claim. From what I played, I [i]did[/i] have fun, though. I'm confident that this new Prince of Persia game will be another solid addition to the Prince of Persia series. Can't wait to see it in action.

[Charles]

[img]http://www.ubi.com/portals/resources/binary/69/17308.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.ubi.com/portals/resources/binary/69/17298.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.ubi.com/portals/resources/binary/69/17310.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.ubi.com/portals/resources/binary/69/17293.gif[/img]

This game looks so amazing, I figured I'd post the newest screens. I've never played the original (outside of a demo) but it's a game I intend to pick up. As you can see, the texture detail and lighting are simply astonishing. I hope this game gets the attention it'll undoubtedly deserve.

[Guest ScirosDarkblade]

Yeah, there's definitely a substantial improvement in graphics over the first PoP installment. Especially concerning textures and lighting. Really nice.

I hope it'll be more of a "spread-out" quest, though, and not just a crawl through a really big level like the first PoP was. The similar scenery got kinda old for me.

[I, Colossus]

It seems a lot of people are really exited about this, so I should post the most recent screens.

[img]http://www.videogamerx.net/gamenews/a003/824/01.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.videogamerx.net/gamenews/a003/824/02.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.videogamerx.net/gamenews/a003/824/03.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.videogamerx.net/gamenews/a003/824/04.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.videogamerx.net/gamenews/a003/824/07.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.videogamerx.net/gamenews/a003/824/10.jpg[/img]

I still have not been able to pick up PoP: Sands of Time due to recent money troubles. But I really want to buy it before this one is released because it is looking simply stunning. Also, this sounds really interesting...

[quote][b]IGN[/b]
[i]What Ubi proposes is a title where actions of any type can be strung together in an almost Tony Hawk-like fashion, creating chains of flowing death. What we've seen thus far looks terrific, but we still know very little. [/i][/quote]

Fun, no?

[b]Edit:[/b] I thought this would have a reply by now, but I guess not. Anyway, UbiSoft has released two of those nifty 3D shots. You can see them [URL=http://www.bonusstage.com/art1648.html]here.[/URL] Be warned though, they take quite a while to load.

[BlueYoshi]

Holy crap, I never commented here. Better late than never, I suppose.

This game looks absolutely stunning. It's like it got a big, fat makeover from the devil himself, or something, because everything about it is so much more grotesque than the first game, with its moody new look and everything. And blood and gore are always welcome in my books... does nothing but make it look even more dazzling.

By the looks of it, I seem to be the only one here who has played the first game properly, unless, against all odds, one of you picked it up during these short three months, but that's highly unlikely ;). As you all said, the edgy battle engine was a little bit of a mishap; it wasn't perfect, but at the same time, it wasn't poor. There's a lot of tweaking left to be done in regards to that, so hopefully the cranked up freeform fighting system will do it good, and apparently, PoP2 won't lose any of TSoT's favoured gameplay elements, like the way that wall jumps were implemented and what have you, but I suppose I'm with you lot, I really want to see a polished battle engine.

Anyway, regardless of the new name and what ever trait the game may pick up after, the ability to mess around with time will be there, so I presume TSoT will have something to do with it.

[Beorhun]

I'm really exited about POP 2, although I'm kind of mad that it won't be coming out until 2005. Anyways, I didn't have any major problems with the fighting system in POPL SOT, except that you could do the same moves over and over in every fight. It was still better than mostaction titles out there, except Ninja Gaiden and Devil may Cry. I'm glad that Ubi soft is making it a little less repetitive.

[Gavin]

[SIZE=1]Well I bought and completed [B]Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time[/B] for the Gamecube a few weeks back, it was an excellent adventure/platformer which I thought was on-par with Legend of Zelda at times. I thought the graphics at times could use work because often the Prince on close up shots would look slightly blocky, though the cut-scenes were nothing short of spectacular. I personally thought the combat was rather innovative though battles were nothing short of daunting because of the amount of enemies you'd have to face.

Nintendo Official Magazine UK did a pretty large cover on a while back on a sequel to [B]The Sands of Time[/B] and it was pretty in-depth. The screenshots they showed looked awesome, ([I]I'm afraid my Internet Connection is a little slow for the ones posted here[/I]) much darker and grittier looking than The Sands of Time. Seemingly Ubisoft want to up the gore and violence level for this one, personally I hope they don't up it just to attract more people to the series. All and all I'm looking forward to this with great excitement...[/SIZE]

[James P. Galvatron]

I can't wait for this game to come out.

The Prince starts off in this strange world the people that made the game said that their will be a new female character who will be in the game as a partner to the Prince. I have seen the pictures in game informer it looks like it will be amazing.

[WW2]

I just got POP: Sands of Time a couple of weeks ago, having previously played the demo a few months before. I was amazed by how fun it actually was, with its great graphics, cinematic style, and cool challenges.
The fighting system wasn't all that bad, it just got repetitive. Other than that the game was nearly perfect.

As for the sequel, I've been following it since I first heard about it. From what I've seen the creators are finding some way to improve upon the first game, enhancing the graphics and fighting system.
From what I've heard you have two attack buttons, one for each sword you hold, which is supposed to enable you complete 360 degree fighting.
I also think they're adding boss fights, one thing the first game was severly lacking.

I've also noticed the games darker look, suggesting a more dark and serious storyline. Hopefully this leads to a longer and more enjoyable experience.

After taking all of this in, I can say I'm greatly anticipating the sequel. Too bad it doesn't come out until November. I need my POP fix now! :D

[foolycooly6363]

it may not be out yet but the previews and special exclusive viewings all point to the fact that prince of persia wrrior within is even better than sands of time. first of all it is now an "M" rated game compared to "T" like sands of time was. the violence is more intense making the action and adventure much better. somepeople thought it was bad timeing for the game to come out due to HALO 2 ( also an eccelent game) coming out a few weeks earlier. But from what i see it's the perfect time to release it. so get your hands on a copy 11/30/04.

[GTK]

[quote name='foolycooly6363']it may not be out yet but the previews and special exclusive viewings all point to the fact that prince of persia wrrior within is even better than sands of time. first of all it is now an "M" rated game compared to "T" like sands of time was. the violence is more intense making the action and adventure much better. somepeople thought it was bad timeing for the game to come out due to HALO 2 ( also an eccelent game) coming out a few weeks earlier. But from what i see it's the perfect time to release it. so get your hands on a copy 11/30/04.[/quote]

The original was horribly overlooked already ^^; But way too short T_T still worth the money I paid for it though... I'll buy the new one, but will probably wait for the price to drop (if it's as short as the first one, I'll cry)

[rainkius]

I got the Sands of Time for Christmas last year, and I have played it all the way through five times. Seriously, I LOVE that game. The biggest turn-off, however, was the INTENSE linearity... basically, once you leave a certain area, you can NEVER go back, cuz a door that can't be opened from that side will shut behind you or something.

I got Warrior Within this Christmas and i'm already really far. The attitude they're trying to show the prince as having is kinda overplayed. (Don't worry - this isn't a spoiler, i knew all of this before i ever opened the game from reading the back of the box and such) He just apparently can't really eat or sleep, since he's almost constantly running from the Dahaka, who wants to kill him for unleashing the sands of time. So the prince is significantly LESS attractive in this game (SUCH a shame *tear*) cuz he's all red-eyed and chronically exhausted lol. There appear to be a lot less enemies, instead of attacking you in a huge swarm like before, there will only be a few but they'll be more skilled. The combos are really cool too. And dual swords are everything i hoped they would be lol.

I was never a big fan of gore, but somehow it's just so satisfying when as you slice a baddie in half, it goes into slow motion, and he screams and blood fountains everywhere. The darker tone of this game is very well done.

So how many other ppl are in love with this game too? And the first one? I can't be the only one. lol

[Chaos]

I've finished the game four times through, getting both endings, and from that alone I can tell there will be a sequel. Not that it really matters, because this is a purely AWESOME game. The story is pretty well thought out, excluding a potential paradox later in the game with the [spoiler]Sand Wraith[/spoiler], but overall, in both endings it ties up well.

The gameplay is a lot better, too. There are actually more enemies in a standard game than Sands of Time, actually, but they are placed fairly evenly throughout the game so that you don't get hammered with two hundred hulking sand beasts that take twenty swings to kill.

The ability to link virtually anything into any type of combo is awesome, and very devestating. There is pinpoint damage in the game, too; one time I ran up a wall and did a splash landing with my swords and watched as an enemy was disarmed [literally] as well as split down the middle.

The music accompanies you more this time through, as dramatic, sorrowful tunes urge you on to the next room, when sudden pounding metal with an exotic twist to it pumps you for a fight.

And then there is the Dahaka. I don't care what any of you say, he scares the **** out of me every time I have to go by him or fight him. The fact of the matter is you REALLY have to run your *** off to escape, and sometimes the weakest flinch in the wrong direction spells instant death, since he nullifies your rewind ability as soon as he touches you. And the music fits for his chases. "I Stand Alone", but only the instrumental. The Ubisoft made a good choice to not include the lyrics. Would have ruined the experience.

There are few glitches, but those that exist will make you rip your hair out, like the one that makes Prince not adapt to his surroundings. For example, if you jump for a ledge that you have to hang off of, he'll just bounce off like he hit a solid wall and fall to his death. Another is the sand portal glitch, where if you go back into the portal you just came through immediately, the game stops at the end and doesn't let you continue when you fight [spoiler]Kaileena[/spoiler]. The only cure for these bugs? Restart the game. Ew.

But, other than that, this game does the POP name justice. A suitable change for a more dramatic and mature gamer to match the affects of the life on the run the Prince has had to endure. Worth buying.