Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Prince of Persia: Special Edition offers a condensed yet faithful reenactment of the classic platforming challenges that made the original title a household name. You’ll guide the Prince through a series of meticulously designed rooms, each brimming with pressure pads, loose tiles and spike traps. Precision timing and careful observation are paramount, as one mistimed jump or misstep on a pressure plate can trigger a hidden trap or send you plummeting into spikes.

Despite its relatively brief length, the game introduces enough variety to keep the experience fresh. Scattered throughout the dungeon are mysterious potions: some grant temporary abilities, while others hinder your movement or visibility. Deciding whether to risk grabbing an unknown vial adds an element of strategic risk versus reward uncommon in mini-games of this era. The inclusion of a limited sword pickup means that occasional skirmishes with stationary guards require both timing and spatial awareness, adding an extra layer of tension.

One standout feature is the eight-minute countdown to reach the throne room, mirroring the time pressure of the upcoming Sands of Time storyline. This ticking clock injects a palpable sense of urgency, forcing you to balance caution with speed. Repeated playthroughs challenge you to memorize trap placements and optimize your route, making each new run feel like an opportunity to refine your skills and shave precious seconds off your best time.

Graphics

Although Prince of Persia: Special Edition was released as a promotional mini-game, its visuals remain surprisingly polished. The dungeon walls are rendered with detailed brick textures and subtly shifting shadows that communicate a genuine sense of depth. Tile animations—especially those that shatter or collapse underfoot—are crisp and satisfying, ensuring that every trap feels both dangerous and visually distinct.

The Prince’s character sprite retains the fluid rotoscoped animation that defined the original 1989 classic. Whether he’s vaulting over a low barrier, scaling a ledge or drawing his blade, the movement feels organic and weighty. Enemies are simple in design but loom large thanks to their bold outlines and contrasting colors, making them easy to identify amid the darker dungeon backdrop.

Special Edition also introduces a subtle polish layer absent from the initial release: flickering torchlight effects, ambient particle wisps and a slight parallax shift when you traverse deeper into the dungeon corridors. These enhancements don’t overwhelm the game’s core aesthetic but instead springboard the visual presentation into a more modern context without losing the nostalgic charm that fans cherish.

Story

The narrative framework of Special Edition is intentionally lightweight, serving primarily to connect the mini-game to the upcoming Sands of Time. You play the Prince racing against the treacherous Vizier Jaffar’s eight-minute deadline to reach the throne room before the nefarious plan to unleash the Sands of Time can be enacted. While the scenario doesn’t delve deeply into character development, it provides enough context to heighten the stakes of each corridor and trap-laden chamber.

Dialogue is sparse, limited to brief title screens and the occasional triumph or defeat message. This minimal approach keeps the focus firmly on action and exploration, echoing the swift, time-pressured premise. Any lore or world-building is implied through level design and environmental cues—cracked pillars hinting at ancient decay, banners that bear the Sultan’s crest, and the looming silhouette of the throne room in the distance.

For purists seeking deep storytelling, Special Edition won’t satisfy narrative cravings on its own. However, as a complement to The Sands of Time, it effectively stokes excitement for the full-fledged storyline to come. By positioning you squarely against the Vizier’s machinations, it offers a bite-sized adrenaline rush that primes players for the more expansive tale awaiting in the main release.

Overall Experience

As a promotional tie-in, Prince of Persia: Special Edition delivers far more than mere marketing fluff. It stands as a standalone platforming challenge with tight controls, clever level design and a palpable sense of urgency. Even seasoned veterans of the original may find themselves both nostalgic and surprised by the mini-game’s depth and replayability.

Its brevity is its greatest strength: every second matters, and every failure feels instructive rather than punishing. The loop of trial, error and mastery is concise enough to encourage multiple attempts in a single sitting, making it ideal for quick bursts of gaming between other commitments. Additionally, the mix of platform puzzles, timed hazards and opportunistic combat ensures that the experience never grows stale.

While die-hard story fans might wish for more narrative substance, as a bite-sized prelude to Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Special Edition excels at building anticipation. It showcases the core mechanics and aesthetic that the main game promises to expand upon, offering both newcomers and longtime admirers a tantalizing taste of the Prince’s world. If you’re intrigued by swift, skill-based platformers and eager for what lies beyond these dungeon walls, this mini-game is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

null/10