Publisher: Ubisoft
Ages: Teens
Parental
Advisory:
Gory violence
The sequel to last year's amazing Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Daytrum Review), Ubisoft's follow-up, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, is the worthy sword-slashing, action sequel. Like the original, Prince of Persia is an immensely entertaining but violent arcade action game.
Hunted by Dahaka, an immortal, evil time manipulator, the Prince embarks on a path of carnage and mystery to defy his preordained death. The journey leads him to a cursed island stronghold where it's through his grim resolve, bitter defiance, and the mastery of some slick new combat arts that he may ultimately rise above the fray.
The prince character maintains his amazing abilities to run on walls, swing from items, vault from ledges, jump and more. The game also features intriguing new combat powers that manipulate time to rewind, fast-forward and slow time down. The diabolical puzzles are challenging and involving.
Players get to experience different combat styles with a new system that accommodates some 50 weapons, as well as individual environments and enemies. There's a new a projectile attack system that allows for a variety of ranged combat tactics and players can wield two weapons at a time.
As in the original game, players travel through time to prevent their deadly fates, and every action affects the history of the present. In a fun twist, players interact with the same levels in different time periods-what's new and modern in one period is old and decrepit in another.
As in the earlier game, when players "die," they get to rewind time and return to where they were before. This way, players don't have to die thousands of deaths. The game features excellent graphics and fluid animation-the main character is always mesmerizing to watch. On the other hand, the title is a violent and bloody one. In fact, more violent than its predecessor.
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within will appeal to fans of The Sands of Time. But be warned, the franchise has gotten darker and more violent.
www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff 1/4/05
