Game Reviews

Prince of Persia Retro

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Prince of Persia Retro

Retro has evolved into a term of endearment in gaming. Pixel graphics and bit tunes are so vogue that new games actively seek to replicate the charms of old titles.

Yet retro also means a step back, a devolution. Returning to an earlier state isn't always a bad thing, but the implication is often negative.

Prince of Persia Retro
is both: a triumphant return to the original game that started a phenomenal franchise and a regressive port with backward controls that single-handedly ruin a classic.

Appreciating the game that was Prince of Persia is very different from experiencing the unplayable port that is Prince of Persia Retro.

Sands of time

Given 60 minutes to decide whether to marry the evil vizier or succumb to his fatal magic, the sultan's daughter pleads for a saviour. That's you. With nothing more than a turban around your head, a red sleeveless shirt, and a pair of pantaloons, you're off to navigate 13 levels filled with spikes, crumbling floors, and armed guards in order to save the princess.

It's not a lengthy game, since the 60 minute time limit is real. Finish in time and you save the girl, but take too long and you receive a different ending.

However, the amazingly deficient controls will keep you from playing much longer than six minutes, let alone 60.

Lateral movement is handled via a set of left and right arrow keys at the left, whereas up and down arrows can be used for jumping and other manoeuvres.

On iPhone, the inability to adjust the opacity of the virtual buttons creates problems with seeing obstacles at the edges of the screen. This is less of an issue on iPad where the larger screen accommodates a better view.

Uncontrollable

What sounds reasonable is quite the contrary. The control scheme is ill-equipped for the precision platforming at hand. Tapping left or right to move the prince always results in him running. This is hugely problematic since it prevents you from walking up to the edge of a pathway: the prince will just run off the edge. In a game where falling equals death, this is unacceptable.

Jumping is equally as unintuitive. To leap over a gap, you have to press 'up' and then the direction you wish to move.

The only control mechanism that works is the 'attack' button, which is tied to a tap anywhere on the screen. Once you find a weapon, you pick it up with a tap and can attack enemies accordingly.

With such flawed controls, you'd be hard-pressed to glean any pleasure from Prince of Persia Retro. It's a shame given its still relevant, still challenging gameplay. The game is definitely good, but the port stinks.

Prince of Persia Retro

Prince of Persia Retro renders a classic unplayable by virtue of horrendous controls
Score
Tracy Erickson
Tracy Erickson
Manning our editorial outpost in America, Tracy comes with years of expertise at mashing a keyboard. When he's not out painting the town red, he jets across the home of the brave, covering press events under the Pocket Gamer banner.