One of the most anticipated video games of 2021, for many, has been the remake of Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time. The original game was a beloved masterpiece that spawned a series of sequels, and there are droves of loyal fans who can’t wait to get their hands on an updated version fit for the latest consoles. Unfortunately though, Ubisoft Pune, the studio working on the game, recently announced that the project has been delayed indefinitely. It’s still coming out, and might not be on hold for that long. But as the studio works to get it just right, the rest of us will have to wait.
Under these circumstances, we thought we’d come up with a few similar games you can play while we await the reboot (aside from the existing Prince Of Persia games, of course).
1. Assassin’s Creed
The Assassin’s Creed franchise has been all over the place for a few decades now, and even spun off a film a few years ago (though it didn’t exactly warrant inclusion among our best assassin films). At its best though, it’s actually somewhat like the Prince Of Persia series: putting you in the role of a sword-swinging hero climbing up walls and taking down enemies. There are differences too, to be sure, but for a big console game you won’t much closer to the feeling of playing Prince Of Persia. That said, you have to pick the right game from this series. Some (like Assassin’s Creed III or Assassin’s Creed Valhalla) concern settings that are a bit too far removed from the Prince Of Persia aesthetic to feel quite as similar.
2. Rise Of The Tomb Raider
As with Assassin’s Creed, there’s a whole franchise of Tomb Raider material to engage with. In this case though, Rise Of The Tomb Raider — a more recent release — is your best bet. The action is a little bit different than in Prince Of Persia, and the world isn’t the same. But again, the feeling is there. Ultimately you’re exploring puzzle-like spaces, alternating between stealth and combat, and engaging in what feels like an old-world adventure (even if Tomb Raider games actually have relatively modern, if far-flung settings).
3. The Beggar’s Raid
The Beggar’s Ride is a smaller game built for mobile devices (and available through Steam as well). It’s also a 2D game a bit more like the much older PC-based Prince Of Persia platform adventures. Nevertheless, it captures some elements familiar to Prince Of Persia fans, and in quite a charming way. In this game you play as the “beggar,” an old man seeking god-like powers. And in doing so, you essentially look to beat one labyrinth after another, climbing ladders, jumping gaps, avoiding swinging spikes, and so on. It may not be much like Prince Of Persia from a standpoint of action or atmosphere, but there’s still a relationship in the gameplay.
4. Djinn Of Storms
Another smaller, simpler option, Djinn Of Storms is a “power-play jackpot” slot game that Foxy Bingo features prominently on what is effectively an online arcade. Naturally, as a slot machine, it offers a very different type of gaming experience than the Prince Of Persia games. On the other hand however, its aesthetic comes closer to Prince Of Persia than any other game mentioned here, to the point that it looks to have been (unofficially) inspired by the franchise. That, plus the fact that it’s easily accessible via browser, makes it one of the more interesting options for fans eagerly awaiting the Sands Of Time remake.
5. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
The Uncharted series is more modern, and focuses more on guns and ammunition than swords and arrows. And yet, there’s just something in the brand of adventure this series presents that is cut from the same cloth as Prince Of Persia. Game Informer started a review on Uncharted 4 by referencing obstacles like collapsing ground, arrows from walls, and giant rolling boulders, which all sound like they’re plucked from the Prince Of Persia series. But that’s only part of it. Really, even the way protagonist Nathan Drake moves in this game will feel familiar. Throw in the fact that it’s an awesome game unto itself and it’s a perfect title to wrap up our list with.
These should keep you busy for a while. Now let’s just hope Ubisoft doesn’t keep us waiting too long for the reboot!