iPhone Game of the Week: Prince of Persia Retro
Over two decades ago, Jordan Mechner released Prince of Persia on the Apple II, subsequently changing gaming forever. The game featured fluid animations, challenging puzzles, and an innovative design that spawned a long lasting franchise and influenced countless games after it. As of May 27th, 2010, Ubisoft has brought the original Prince of Persia to the iPhone and iPad - for 99 cents, you get the game in all its glory with a few helpful adjustments for mobile gaming. The only drawback being the virtual controls, which can be sticky and lead to frustrating deaths.
Prince of Persia tasks the player with finding a way out of a complex dungeon located beneath the Sultan of Persia’s palace. Jaffar, the Persian vizier and antagonist, has placed the player in the dungeon because he feels threatened by the Princess’ affection for your character. Motivated by jealousy and a lust for power, Jaffar seeks to ensnare the Princess and steal the Sultan’s kingdom. He gives the Princess one hour to either marry him or die, so it’s up to the player to escape the dungeon and save the Princess before times runs out.
The iPhone/iPad port stays extremely faithful to the original, as not much has been tampered with. However, the game does offer a new level select feature which is extremely beneficial while gaming on the go. Without the ability to start midway through the adventure, answering a phone call or text message while the time continues to run would break the experience.
Prince of Persia Retro has withstood the test of time, still retaining the challenge and charm of the original. That being said, the mobile port does suffer from one downside - the virtual controls take some time to master. Movement and climbing actions are controlled by four directional arrows. The issue with these virtual arrows is that they sometimes get stuck, making precise movements challenging and frequently leading to mistakes that result in death. This minor issue isn’t nearly enough to wreck Prince of Persia Retro, though.
Ubisoft have given iPhone and iPad gamers a real treat with Prince of Persia Retro. For less than a dollar, players get an absolute classic from a time when game design was still in its infancy. The ability to play Retro on both platforms with one purchase is a bonus to an already great package.
Verdict: BUY
Developer: Ubisoft
Genre: Puzzle
Release Date: May 27th, 2010
Price: $0.99
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