The Prince of Persia series is experiencing a well-deserved resurgence. With new titles in the pipeline and a dedicated fan base ready for both nostalgia and innovation, this legendary franchise is gaining traction once more. But it’s not only the games themselves that are being reborn—how fans discuss and engage with them is evolving as well, courtesy of today’s vibrant gaming media landscape.
A large segment of that media landscape is Valnet. They’ve constructed a robust roster of gaming sites, each with something unique to deliver. GameRant has deeper, more considered reporting. As they describe it, they don’t simply parrot headlines—they spark conversation. With 85 million monthly visits, it’s apparent the audience is craving more than mere headlines.
The Gamer goes a different way, embracing original reporting and timely headlines. They reported breaking news, such as the speculation of PS Vita store shutdown, and have covered hard-hitting industry issues, including office problems. Their reporting demonstrates that game journalism does not have to be boring and meaningful at the expense of fun.
Polygon, now also owned by Valnet, offers a broader scope. It encompasses games as well as movies, television, and popular culture, and it is where fans of all forms of entertainment can get caught up. Fextralife exists for die-hard players with community-created wikis and detailed game guides. OpenCritic allows players to look at the larger landscape by aggregating reviews from all over the web, and DualShockers places readers at the center of the action with live event reporting and developer interviews.
It’s the ideal setting for a series like Prince of Persia to return. Its upcoming The Rogue Prince of Persia is a perfect example of how the series evolves. Evil Empire, the same people who made Dead Cells, developed this new roguelike sidescroller with a focus on quick movement, clever design, and that irresistible “just one more run” sensation.
GameRant recently interviewed game director Lucie Dewagnier and art director Dylan Eurlings on the game. Dewagnier said that although they took cues from Dead Cells, what is key in this game is movement and rhythm. “The game is all about movement. Everything moves. You always need to be asking yourself, ‘Where should I go and how should I go there? ‘” she said.
The game expands on that Prince of Persia feel—wall running, vaulting, and silky smooth movement—but with a twist. What’s different about this release is how much the developers desire to collaborate with fans. Dewagnier highlighted their focus on feedback during Early Access, the same way they did with Dead Cells. “I want to chat with my players and I want to chat with the community,” she said.
“We will make adjustments—balance changes, progression system updates, perhaps even removing or adding features depending on what does and doesn’t work.” That kind of transparency can have a huge impact.
In the meantime, Ubisoft has its hands full with the highly anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. The original 2003 release remains popular due to its rewind time mechanism and its emotional narrative. Now, fans are expecting the remake to retain what was successful and introduce new concepts.
One ask? A parity system. Only the 2008 Prince of Persia delved into parrying, but incorporating it here could enhance the combat. Puzzle mechanics based on time, such as in The Forgotten Sands, could also be added to mix things up—think freezing water in mid-jump or jumping timelines to fix puzzles.
Fighting is another aspect that fans wish to be beefed up. The original’s fighting system was basic, but subsequent releases such as Warrior Within introduced smooth combos and smoother moves. Improved enemy AI and a revamped move set would bring the action into the current age.
Parkour is still a necessity. Viewers desire smoother, more intuitive movement, with animations that are as elegant as they are functional. An open-ended level design—such as a metroidvania—would be an excellent match, leading players to discover and re-visit previous areas with fresh abilities.
Talking about abilities, a skill tree would allow players to customize the Prince to their liking—better at combat, movement, or time manipulation. And as much as stealth has never been the central hook of the series, The Two Thrones demonstrated it can mix things up without making the game clunky.
By finding the perfect mix of old and new, the Sands of Time Remake can be something truly special. Between creative developers and strong media coverage, Prince of Persia is in a great spot. Whether you’ve been with the series since the start or are just now joining the adventure, there’s never been a better time to jump in.