Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - PS5/PC/Switch/Xbox Series X/S - DF Tech Review 

Art styles like this will keep a game looking good in 20 years.

I seriously hope this becomes successful enough that people with decision making capabilities at these art factories (EA, ubi, WB etc.) start pushing for smaller but much more well thought out experiences. I'm tired of hearing about broken experiences

Im just glad in this day and age. We have Ubisoft of all people showing us you can target weaker hardware and still have great design and visuals. All the while allowing PS5 and XSX to actually flex 4k/120. Which is actually amazing.

The team behind Rayman, knows what they are doing 👏 👌 🙌 👍 😀

this is the kind of games we should support at full price. once that are incomplete or really buggy we should hold off until a sale.

Even though the game has simple visuals, I like how they tried hard to achieve the maximum that every single console can offer. > All platforms run at 60fps with the PS5 and Xbox Series X even reaching 120fps. > They offered the maximum resolution that the Nintendo Switch can offer in both docked and handheld mode at 60fps. > It runs at 1080p even on the old 2013 Xbox One. > It runs at native 4K not only on Xbox One X but even on the weaker PS4 Pro. You just don't see this level of dedication and optimization nowadays with most games, I would say the only thing they missed is not offering a 120fps mode on the Series S or a 4K mode (since if the PS4 Pro can do, the Series S would probably be able to do too ), but 1440p/60fps is more than great for an entry-level console.

I know this is a shot in the dark, but seeing a smaller scale title makes me hope we'll get a sequel to Child of Light someday. Such an underrated game that's gathering digi-dust.

I'm not usually a big fan of side-scrollers, but this does look awesome! I'm gonna grab it on Switch. Thanks for the review.

As one of the millions of Iranian gamers and game lovers, I am very happy that a game with Persian language and subtitles has come and I hope to see more games that support the Persian language.❤ thanks UBISOFT

Ubisoft has such talented studios and beloved franchises under them, too bad the top management is just greedy and incompetent. Rare to get a good game like this from Ubi these days, don't like the hairstyle of the main character though 😅

8:41 I don't know how DF could claim that "You will not be able to spot any of these dips to performance with VRR enabled" and "VRR solves this issue entirely". I can ABSOLUTELY notice a 20fps dip with VRR. No question. I don't like where DF has headed these past few years. It's like performance has taken a back seat to things like RT, GI, SSR, etc.

This will be gorgeous on the Steam deck OLED!

Visually and technically this game reminds me of a 7th gen game but not in a bad way. The heavy use of baked lighting and shadows is put to good use thanks to it's fixed time of day. This is probably due to it being developed for the Switch first and foremost with it retaining 60fps and then scaled up for the more powerful home consoles. Interesting to see a title like this from Ubisoft today but it is welcome. Now only if we can see a return to the engine used in Rayman Legends because that title is beautiful and has aged extremely well just like many 2D titles. Yes it's not entirely 2D but it's blend of the two is immaculate. Maybe Ubisoft is finally trying to clean up shop and become a good studio again

I remember playing Prince of Persia on my amiga 600 😊

As much as I love the Sands of Time trilogy, I welcome the franchise's return to its platform roots. Just wish that run animation looked more dynamic, though. One of the best parts of classic POP was that buttery-smooth (even for today) run animation.

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:06 🎮 *Game Overview:* - Ubisoft revives the Prince of Persia series with a sidescrolling exploration-driven platform game. - The game offers engaging platforming, challenging combat, and intriguing storytelling. - It focuses on delivering a polished and cohesive visual design. 03:44 🕹️ *Technical Aspects:* - The game uses the Unity Engine and focuses on delivering a smooth, cohesive visual experience. - It offers impressive performance on various platforms, including 120 FPS support on PS5 and Xbox Series X. - Visual design emphasizes a strong aesthetic within the constraints of the game's camera angle. 06:30 🎮 *Console Versions:* - PS5 and Xbox Series X support up to Native 4K at 120 FPS, offering a highly responsive and smooth experience. - Series S provides solid performance but lacks 120 FPS support on VRR displays. - The PS4 Pro delivers a slightly sharper resolution than Series S. 09:17 💻 *PC Version:* - The PC version is well-optimized and provides a stutter-free experience. - It offers various anti-aliasing options, catering to different preferences. - The visual design and side-view perspective make TAA unnecessary. 11:54 🎮 *Switch Version:* - The Switch version impressively runs at 1080p60 in docked mode and 720p60 in portable mode. - While it makes some visual sacrifices, it remains comparable and smooth. - The game is a great portable option for the Switch, especially on the OLED screen. 14:28 📣 *Ubisoft Account:* - The game requires a Ubisoft Connect account on some consoles, which can be bypassed offline. - Nintendo Switch is an exception, allowing gameplay without an account. - The cross-platform save feature is useful but could benefit from the option to skip the login. 16:04 🌟 *Conclusion:* - The Lost Crown is a surprise hit for Ubisoft, showcasing their ability to create diverse games. - It offers a great experience on various platforms, with solid execution and performance. - The game is a return to the kind of projects that made Ubisoft a powerhouse in the industry, reminiscent of classics like Sands of Time and Splinter Cell.

That attempted forced login thing is a real deal breaker.

This has looked excellent from the reveal, and I'm so glad to see PoP return to it's challenging sidescrolling roots. To see Metroid Dread and Hollow Knight influences is great, and that they nail the Switch version is paramount. Stoked!

This and Metroid Dread give me hope we might actually get a good 2d MegaMan X (Make it happen Capcom) Always appreciate the Reviews 💪

@2:05 "...it's a style of game that has perhaps worn out its welcome in recent years..." What?? John, one can never have enough *quality* metroidvanias. 10 points from DF!

very nice to see not just a new side scrolling PoP game but a fully featured and actually finished game! from Ubisoft no less, who would have thunk

I was on board since the first gameplay. Great video. Very enjoyable 17 minutes of trying hard not to say "Metroidvania"

When Laika Aged Through Blood comes out on Switch I’d really love a performance review on that! It’s the sort of game I really want to play and would probably prefer it on Switch due to portability but if there are major frame rate differences then I would lean towards a stationary console.

Knew I had a good feeling about this game! Jazzed to see everyone loves it. As much as PS5 looks pretty, I'll probably go with Switch for portability and being able to get around that Ubisoft account nonsense. Cheers, Digital Foundry!

A reminder to the readers that Ubisoft Montpellier (the creator of this game) is one of the best studios from the company: - OG Rayman games and Rayman Origins - Beyong Good & Evil - Valiant Hearts - From Dust - Peter Jackson's King Kong

Hands down, John is still the best reviewer on DF. I miss his AAA reviews but at least he gets to follow his passion projects more

So glad to see the game is running well, and getting good reviews too. I was honestly stoked for the announcement, and at the thought of seeing Prince of Persia return to its 2D roots. But the crowd reaction was pretty hostile, and I'm glad public opinion is changing. Also nice to see cross-platform saves, which is really not happening often enough. I'm definitely looking forward to picking this up on Switch.

I wish it was on Steam. It'd be perfect on the Deck. Don't really want to go through Heroic.

Thanks for covering the whole Ubisoft Connect account situation. I'm definitely getting the Switch version day one and perhaps the other ports down the line when on sale.

U guys should have threw the steam deck into the tests. This looks like a perfect game for the deck oled

It's nice to see that Ubisoft Montpellier can actually release games still lol they're certainly taking their sweet time with Beyond Good and Evil 2

Wow, didn't think this was gonna be this good. Had my hopes it would turn out to be okay-ish. But this is looking really good! I actually want to play the game on the Steam Deck, but unfortunately it's not available here. (Maybe in the future?) So i think i will go for the PS version.

Closest thing we will get to a new strider. I'm so down for this game.

I have a weak laptop and yet, I was still able to play this game on medium settings in 60 fps. Very good optimization.

Had a feeling this game would be good. Glad to know the Switch version was given the care it needed, that's the one I was planning to play.

I really shouldn't take for granted the consistent high quality of Linneman's videos for DF: this was truly brilliant.

Absolutely loving this game. To the point that I'm still watching reviews and commenting😂

I agree it its with HW, Oris and Meteoid Dread one of the best Metroidvanias ever created.

I love this mini Ubisoft renaissance: Avatar FoP, Prince of Persia, AC Mirage. They're listening to fans who wanted smaller, single-player focused games. I hope they understand that these games are more profitable on the long run.

Getting this for Series X, 4K120❤

Looking at the traversal, I get vibes of the game ‘Unbound’. That game felt really good to traverse once you had most of the power ups so I’m hoping this feels similar. I’m glad there’s a physical version for the Switch too.

I *kinda* wanted to play this before, but knowing the team that made it? I'm so in.

As 90% of the time, Series S version not optimized properly

I bet the team went the route that the Switch version is the base version, super optimized, making sure it runs really well on that console, before improving things for the other versions, kinda like what Playtonic did for Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair!

Being able to completely disable AA is amazing, I wish most modern games allowed you to do that.

I remember people hating on this game at its reveal but im really glad it turned out great in the end. It was a shame they didn't use the Ubi Art framework engine for this, its likely that engine will never be used again now, but I really hope that Ubisoft can start making smaller but more focused games based on this game's reception.

I always love John's videos on DF. He puts so much care into his videos and doesn't stand for industry BS, he also really appreciates when a developer puts in the effort to do the job well.

Huh, the only sidescrollers I ever really enjoyed were the new/old Rayman games. I wasn't keeping track of this until you mentioned they worked on it, I guess I'll have to try it on Steam Deck

If Rayman and Strider had a baby…

Downloading the demo at the moment, very happy with all the good reviews and the great looking footage, this series really deserves a comeback. I'm a bit worried that the price will scare people away, 2D games for 50 bucks or more might be too much for some. I happily buy a fun and polished 2D game for that price, not sure how many think the same way.

The PoP Lost Crown will be the 1st Ubisoft game i've bought in over a decade

Wild to me that Apple wanted Ubisoft to port AC Mirage for iOS devices and skipped on Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Mirage will probably not run that well on the iPhone, but I've just played the Prince of Persia Demo and it would be perfect for mobile gaming. Reminds me a lot of Deadcells and the likes and seems actually fun so far. Furthermore Prince of Persia is made in Unity, so a way better engine to port to iOS... My guess is Apple wants to show: look, a full open world triple A title, but misses out on games that would actually play great on mobile. Wild to me, maybe a later release if Ubisoft recognizes the potential money they could make...

Perfect example of a game instead of a tech demo.

I was about to get this thinking it would be $20-$30 as a side scroller and seen it’s $50. Game looks great but I will wait for a sale! I’m looking forward to playing it.

Great video! The mandatory login issue would be a deal breaker if there was not a way around it! I do wonder if the Series X version will be on the disc or not, glad to see all versions seem to be great!

This feels a slight call back to the original Prince of Persia games. With the side scrolling gameplay. Loved those games. Can't wait to pick this up.

I wonder what's going on in Montpellier. They're also the ones running the entirely cursed project of Beyond Good&Evil 2, now without Michel Ancel who felt he has been pushed out for a long time, and then just quit to tend to wild life. This was 3-4 years ago now and he said that it should be well on its way then, in a polite exit letter. But it didn't seem like it was well on its way.

I dig the style. It's similar to Arkane.

It's refreshing to get a game on so many platforms that just works out of the box on them all, but it's sad that it needs to be highlighted because of how many games are being released with issues on one platform or another. Also John, you can never have enough of these styles of games, it's not wearing out it's welcome, at least not for me.

Love that you used the term "search action" instead of metroidvania.

Seriously looks like a great game. I will buy this on switch (even tho i have a 4k monitor), i cannot stand uplay and since it's 60fps on switch, that's all i care. (srsly, screw Uplay, i refuse to buy anything with it nowadays) Thank you John :)

Still waiting for the Sands of Time remake here..

When I first saw this game I was "Nah, this is not my Prince" but seeing more gameplay and the exceptional performance I am getting interested. I like the genre, most of the time.

For your info, Ubisoft did release a demo now on all platform. Give it a go

as a Persian who has been hyped for the series , I confirm it's badass as hell

Hell yeah! Can't wait to play this at native 4K 120fps. Also I love SMAA

After Blasphenous and Hollow Knight I've been looking for a game similar to those and this is one I will get soon.

Day 1 game. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻50€ is ok for a game without bugs and stuttering like almost all the other 80€ games.

Now everyone is Pro Ubisoft. Lmao

Why is this not on Steam. I really wanted to enjoy this game.

Forced account signup is a no go

The reason for the game offering only no AA, FXAA or SMAA as options probably has less to do with design intentions and more to do with those being the default options in Unity.that take next to no effort to implement.

Montpellier ! Yes ! Love your accent ! Hail from France ! La vie est belle avec un bon verre de beaujolais ! :-D Rayman Origins was a blast.

In case anyone hasn't noticed, there is a demo available on all platforms now too.

5:59 Well yes indeed, the developers said the game was designed from the ground up to offer a compelling 60 fps experience on the Nintendo Switch. The other versions are scaled up from there.

I've been testing the Demo Version on the Switch for the last 2 days or so and I can mostly agree on your verdict of the Switch version: It's a highly polished experience that not only looks quite amazing, but also plays butter smooth! I've encountered just a few bugs that are hopefully not present in the release version, but so far they have all been minor. Things like a small sun reflection glint floating in the middle of a room where it definitely should not be or a "read text dialog" that refused to be closed until I exited to the switch main menu and back into the game. One key difference to your preview version though: For the Demo I was not able to bypass the ubisoft account login while the switch was online. Not sure if this has changed since your review, or if the demo is different than the full version in this regard. I almost refused to play it at all until I remembered that I still have a very old Ubisoft account back from The Prince of Persia (2008) days that thankfully still worked.

why is there no 120 fps mode for series s.................

11:16 considering that this game was initially *_built_* for the Nintendo switch, I'm honestly not surprised the performance is as good as it is. All they had to do was work their way up for the other consoles, as opposed to working their way down from the PS5. You feel me?

SX is powerful.

It's 4k/60 on One X vs 1440p/60 on Series S. Guess this is one of the rare cases where last gen beats current gen when CPU isn't the factor. The Series S with its better CPU should have a 120hz option even if it needs to go down to 1080p to differentiate it from last gen

It kinda reminds me of the old Aladdin game on Nintendo. I loved that game as a kid. lol.

As a fan of 2D platformers - see you in a year on Steam.

As someone who grew up with Gameloft's Java Prince of Persia games, Im looking forward to this game once I buy a Steam Deck OLED

Prince of Persia but you don't even play as Prince or even a persian guy !!

Demo available now on PlayStation Store! Playing now 😎

Wait, a game from Ubisoft that actually looks good and plays well? I haven't been interested in a Ubisoft game since Rayman Legends. This is a pleasant surprise and I hope Ubisoft is willing to do more like this instead of their usual copy paste open worlds with towers to climb.

So pumped to play this game

This looks like the perfect game for a handheld. Steam Deck should look great.

Thankfully the dips from 120fps mode aren’t visible at all with VRR. Can confirm this myself. If you have a display capable of 120fps, absolutely play it on that with VRR. Great game, really didn’t think this game would be any good. Makes me wish they took a break from Assassin’s Creed and brought back Prince of Persia properly.

Bout time that 12 tflop did something for Xbox

The beginning of the video where John was gushing about the game made me so happy. I want pretty badly for this game to be successful for Ubisoft, because them they will see there are absolutely audiences for this kind of game. I don't want them to do it to death like the typical Ubisoft formula, but it will be a nice change of pace.

Who else thinks there is too many quality Metroidvania's out there? ......Anyone? Hmmm sorry John, you might be alone with that hot take. Given how eagerly every single fan of Hollow Knight is waiting for any information about Silksongs release I don't think it's like we have a tonne of them dropping every other week.

It would look so much better with a nice per-object motion blur. 🤔

I just want to know if this is coming to Steam so i can play it on Steam Deck. Seems perfectly suited for it!

Advertising Foundry. You skipped gorgeous looking Trine 5 when it came out, but making video on low budget ubisoft attempt to revive old IP in safest way and at lowest cost.

I loved the original Prince of Persia way back when as a young kid. This looks so good. This really needs to come to Steam so I can get it.

Prince of Persia games used to the most graphically impressive games when they launched. Seems like those times are long gone. Oh what I wouldn’t pay for a Prince of Persia game with the graphics of Avatar Frontiers of Pandora . I utterly hate what they made to this franchise 🤦🏻‍♂️

nice! what a surprise we got this so quickly! thanks John! awesome work will try the demo later this afternoon!

Rayman Legends is still superior.

Just played the demo on my switch OLED and it’s AWESOME. Docked looks great too. I remember the original back in the day. Great game then and now. And a great review! Though I have a PS5 and a XBox Series S, I’ll choose the switch version because I want to play on the go, and btw, looks great on my gf’s switch lite, too. Finally a game release that is well polished out of the gate and will only get better with patches.