Before Assassin’s Creed became Ubisoft’s blockbuster series, we had Prince of Persia, arguably the best platforming video game franchise of all time. After more than a decade-long absence, fans thought Ubisoft had abandoned Prince of Persia – until recently that is. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the latest entry in the franchise and it not only gives a fresh new twist to the gameplay but also pushes the series in the right direction.
It nails all the highs of the Metroidvania arcade formula it set out to achieve. The Lost Crown’s side-scroller gameplay, unique art style, and narrative steeped in Persian mythology are exactly what Prince of Persia needed to rejuvenate itself. Fans will be more eager than ever to see what Ubisoft does in the sequel, but in the meantime, here are the best games like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown that will ease the wait.
Games Like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
There is no doubt that a plethora of games deserve a spot on this list. But unfortunately, not all of them will make it in. As always, if you happen to have any awesome recommendations for other Prince of Persia fans out there like yourself, leave a comment telling us all about them. Now for our unordered selection of the best games like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles is a spinoff series of the massive franchise. It takes a side step from the mainstream Assassin’s Creed style and does its own thing. Well, not entirely its own thing since it takes many elements from Metroidvanias just like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Yet it doesn’t shy away from perfectly capturing the essence of Assassin’s Creed’s trademark historical fiction, stealth, and parkour.
Like The Lost Crown, each Assassin’s Creed Chronicles game is a well-crafted 2.5D scroller where the environments are a standout. Whether it is the Ming dynasty or the Russian Revolution each Assassin’s Creed Chronicles game brings some ideal vibes for fans of The Lost Crown.
Related: Assassin’s Creed Red: Everything We Know So Far
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
It would be unfair not to include one of the OGs in our list of games like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones was the final instalment in the Sands of Time Trilogy and probably the most ambitious one.
The Two Thrones’ plot continues the prince’s story, who is on a path to stop the evil Vizier. It follows the struggle between the Prince and his dark alter ego, the Dark Prince, as they navigate the treacherous streets of Babylon.
The Prince possesses acrobatic skills like wall running and swinging. He can wield different weapons and unleash many combos. If a head-to-head approach is too overwhelming you can always opt for the stealthy option.
The Dark Prince, on the other hand, has a different set of abilities. He can use a chained weapon called the Daggertail and traverse areas corrupted by the Sands of Time. The series’ signature time rewind ability is also there to mess around with, and a high-stakes story and two styles of combat are just two of the many reasons for that. Overall, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones is nothing short of a masterpiece even more than a decade after its initial release.
My Friend Pedro
My Friend Pedro is a 2.5D side scroller with a strong emphasis on fluid movements and stylish gunplay tossed in the mix. In short, it’s the most John Wick-esque game like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, though instead of being gritty, the atmosphere is humorous, to say the least.
In My Friend Pedro, the players flip, spin, and roll past enemies in an attempt to kill all of them in slow-mo fashion. The Bullet Time mechanic makes things intense. It allows players to slow down time, dodge incoming bullets, and perform precise shots. It sure is quite the spectacle for those hungry for a satisfying platforming experience.
Related: Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown Preview
Rayman Legends
Before Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Ubisoft already had a fantastic side-scroller series under its belt, Rayman. The latest title in the series is Rayman Legends which came out in 2011. It may be a little old but the charm is still there. Most of that charm is due to the vibrant art style, whimsical characters, and innovative platforming.
As expected from the series, Rayman Legends shines because of its different environments. From lush forests to underwater worlds, each level has its own glamour and unique mechanics that you’ll need to master to beat them. The best levels are the musical ones where the gameplay is synchronized with the soundtrack.
What makes all this even more exciting is that there’s a wide variety of playable characters to choose from and a multiplayer mode, and these just seal its position as a contender for top games like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread is the obvious choice for this list. After all, Metroid Dread is part of the series that gave rise to the term Metroidvania, the same genre Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an immaculate example of.
Metroid Dread follows the protagonist, Samus Aran, as she uncovers the secrets of a mysterious planet. On this perilous journey, players will encounter all manner of creatures and discover power-ups to access restricted areas. But killer robots are always hunting you down throughout the levels, adding a sense of urgency while you play. It’s a good thing that besides melee and shooting, stealth is a viable path too.
All in all, Metroid Dread scratches the same itch as all the best platformers and is the perfect recommendation for games like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
