The beloved Prince of Persia game series is making a comeback after a lengthy silence from Ubisoft. The Lost Crown, a new side-scrolling Adventure developed by the team behind Rayman Legends, aims to rejuvenate the iconic franchise and breathe new life into its 2D roots.
Reviving Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner shares his thoughts on the revival, and tells us which fan-favorite games he’s most excited to see make a comeback.
“I’m thrilled to see Prince of Persia returning to its 2D roots,” Mechner tells us. “I’ve been involved in the series since the beginning, and have helmed a number of titles, including the initial revival with The Sands of Time and the ill-fated movie adaptation. I’ve been less active in recent years, but I’m really excited to see the series returning to its 2D roots.
“I think 2D makes a lot of sense for the current state of the series—especially with the success of Assassin’s Creed, which has a similar setting. Of course, there have been previous attempts to revive the series, including a leaked project called Prince of Persia Redemption. I’m pleased that The Lost Crown is the one that actually came to fruition—thanks to the hard work of Ubisoft Montpellier. I’m also very excited to see the Sands of Time remake, which has been taken over by Ubisoft Montreal. I’m sure it will look beautiful, and I hope that fans of the original will find it worth the wait.”
Fan Reactions
The announcement of The Lost Crown was met with some backlash due to the Prince’s skin color, overshadowing the game itself. Prince of Persia has always featured multiple protagonists, each embodying the role of the Prince in their own way. Mechner, however, sees the diverse reactions as a testament to the massive and passionate fan base of Prince of Persia.
“The Prince of Persia franchise has a massive, passionate fan base—which was on full display with yesterday’s announcement,” Mechner says. “For me, one of the most interesting reactions was the diverse reactions to the Black Prince. There are fans who are attached to their version of the Prince and don’t want to see it change, but I think they’re missing the point. Historically, Persia was a multicultural empire; there was never just one Persian. So I don’t see why a Black Prince is unjustified.
“It’s also interesting to see how people are forming their own subjective canon. Some are accepting the Black Prince, while others are saying that the Lost Crown Prince is not the Prince but Sargon—a new, original character. I think that’s great, and I’m looking forward to engaging with people respectfully and embracing the diversity within the Prince of Persia franchise.”
With the return of Prince of Persia becoming a trending topic, it’s exciting to see the series finally get the love and attention it deserves. Whether you’re a long-time fan or someone who hasn’t experienced it yet, The Lost Crown sounds like a game that you won’t want to miss.
