Summary
Parkour has always been a tricky thing to get right in the world of video games. More often than not, it can feel too clunky, slow, or unresponsive. Only a few games have really managed to capture the sense of fluidity, speed, and freedom of movement that parkour grants, with some of the best examples beingtheAssassin’s Creedfranchise,Mirror’s Edge, andTitanfall 2.The Rogue Prince of Persiamight have just earned itself a spot on that rather exclusive list.
Just released into early access on Steam,The Rogue Prince of Persiais a roguelike action-platformer from developer Evil Empire, the same studio that co-developed much of the similar action-platformerDead Cells. But whileDead Cells' platforming mostly took a backseat to its action, it’s a core pillar ofThe Rogue Prince of Persia, and in at least one major way, it sets a new bar for parkour in 2D games.
The Rogue Prince of Persia Makes Some Big Innovations for 2D Parkour
The Rogue Prince of Persia’s Wall-Running Mechanics Explained
Fluid traversal mechanics have been a staple ofthePrince of Persiafranchisesince its very beginning all the way back in 1989, when the first game’s smooth character movement animations were a defining point of praise. When it came time to revive the series in 2003,Prince of Persia: The Sands of Timeattempted to not only pay homage to the early entries in the franchise but take their core mechanics and evolve them. Parkour was one such mechanic, with the Prince being given the ability to wall-run, perform backflips, vault over enemies, shimmy along ledges, and swing from poles.
In a similar fashion,The Rogue Prince of Persialooks to not only pay homage toThe Sands of Time’s parkour, but translate those mechanics seamlessly to a 2D plane, and it’s easily one of the game’s biggest strengths. By far the most impressive aspect ofRogue Prince of Persia’s 2D parkouris that players are given the ability to wall-run and climb on practically any part of the level’s background. This gives players an incredibly high level of freedom of movement right off the bat, allowing them to use the stage’s background in a variety of ways without the need for any upgrades or additional tools.
Earlier this year, another 2D entry in the series,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, was released. Though it featured some incredibly fluid platforming mechanics, it didn’t actually feature too much parkour, with players mainly using various dash abilities to get around.
How The Rogue Prince of Persia Weaves Parkour Into its Combat
WhileThe Rogue Prince of Persia’s novel ability to climb on almost any surface is pretty great on its own, it’s how the mechanic is implemented into combat that really elevates it to the next level. Everyenemy encounter inRogue Prince of Persiawill be set against a climbable backdrop, which means that players are able to use parkour to gain the upper hand in combat. Players can quickly climb to gain the height advantage or run along the wall to make a quick escape.
These mechanics are evolved even further duringThe Rogue Prince of Persia’s boss fights. In the game’s first boss encounter, players will have to avoid a minotaur-like enemy’s attacks, some of which cause the ground to rip up around them. To avoid these attacks, players need to quickly parkour across the stone mural in the background of the screen.
The Rogue Prince of Persia
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience a fast-paced, challenging but accessible roguelite as you master acrobatic moves and flow seamlessly between platforming and combat. Find new weapons, equip trinkets with special effects and upgrade them to make your own builds. Discover new characters, information and areas as you try to find a way to save Persia from a Hun invasion and become the hero you have always wanted to be.Lead the Prince in his fight against a Hun army corrupted by dark shamanic magic and find your place in the royal family as you explore a vibrant reinterpretation of Persia. Put the pieces of the puzzle together and discover new areas as you enter the fight again and again, meeting a cast of colorful characters through non-linear story progression.Flow seamlessly between platforming and combat, using your acrobatic moves to outmaneuver and outsmart your enemies. Use the iconic wall-run to open new routes of attack, avoid traps and explore hard to reach areas. Kick and dodge to manage groups of enemies when the odds are against you.Choose from a variety of deadly weapons and equip new medallions each run to unleash devastating effects, giving you the freedom to change your fighting style as you wish. Secondary weapons offer even more options, from bows to shields to grappling hooks. Switch your loadout mid-run to adapt to new challenges.
