Summary
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownis unlike anything the series has seen before. It’s also the series' first new game on consoles in over a decade, so newcomers may not even know what this series has been about. Typically, they were 3D action-adventure games with time-based mechanics around them.
The gameplay ofPrince of Persia: The Lost Crownis more like a 2D Metroidvania, which is great for fans of that genre. There are plenty of other Metroidvanias that fans of this may enjoy as well, some obscure and some popular. Beyond Metroidvanias, some other related games dive into the themes ofPrince of Persia: The Lost Crownincluding time manipulation and tomb raiding.
8Assassin’s Creed Chronicles
Metacritic Score: 70
Since theAssassin’s Creedseries was derived fromPrince of Persia, it makes sense to offer one of the games as tribute.Assassin’s Creed Chroniclesmakes the most sense thematically alongsidePrince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
It was a push from Ubisoft to make episodic content for the series based around various untouched regions of the world. It ultimately birthed three 2D adventures that took place in China, India, and Russia, with different protagonists at various times in history. Despite the downgrade in dimensions, all three of these games offered plenty of stealth and assassination gameplay that fans loved.
Braidwas one of the first big indie gamesto explode during the early years of digital content. It was an Xbox 360 exclusive at first, and it starred a seemingly ordinary man in a suit who was off to save his girlfriend. The storyline and platforming gameplay made it feel like an homage to theMarioseries, but Braid was so much more than that.
There was a time-rewinding mechanic that made it more like a puzzle game with some truly inventive uses of the mechanic. Plus, the twist ending was probably one nobody saw coming at the time.
Indivisiblewas made by the team that made the fighting gameSkullgirls,which was praised for its 2D animation. That same art style was used in this game, but instead of a fighter, this was a hodgepodge of a few different genres. It felt like a Metroidvania at times with deep exploration through various ruins.
Combat was carried out in turn-based battles, though with party members glued to specific buttons kind of likeValkyrie Profile.Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownfans would like this one not just because of the 2D aesthetics, but because of theinfluence of Middle Eastern culture.
5La-Mulana
Metacritic Score: 87
La-Mulanais without a doubt a Metroidvania, unlikeIndivisible’ssmaller influences. It’s a lotlikeIndiana Joneswith the whip for a weapon, the location, and the costume design. The box art even makes it look like anIndiana Joneshomage.
It’s a tough-as-nails Metroidvania too, with the platforming being a bit unforgiing, along with the combat. It’s a Metroidvania not for the faint of heart, but all the ruin exploration is a good time for those that can muster up the courage. Plus, there is a worthwhile sequel to check out after this.
Except for the first game, which was more of a platformer, all of theShantaegames are Metroidvanias.Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, the third entry, ranks among the best for fans of the genre, but their scores are all pretty even.
Every game stars the titular Shantae on an adventure to stop pirates or some other form of evil from wrecking her beloved island and accompanying town. Her main attack is her hair, which players can upgrade with shampoo, funny enough, to make it stronger. They’re silly games filled with colorful characters, dungeons to explore, and plenty of fan service.
3Super Time Force
Metacritic Score: 82
Deep intoPrince of Persia: The Lost Crown, players will encounter a series of puzzles based around a time dilation mechanic. They will have to sync their movements with multiple forms of Sargon to solve puzzles. It’s one of the better puzzles in the game and fans of this section will loveSuper Time Force.
It’s a 2D run-and-gun game that, at first, looks likeaContraclone. However, it’s much more than that and it is incredibly easy to die. Payers can get through bullet-heavy sections by manipulating time. Sending one version of their character out to take care of an enemy will secure passage as the main version runs past. The tagline should have been, “It’s the thinking man’s Contra!”
Timespinneris another Metroidvaniawith time-based mechanics. Players get to control the sands of time, much like the olderPrince of Persiagames, to freeze everything in place. This allows players to bypass enemies if they want, or they can use solidified enemies for platforming purposes too.
It’s not a puzzle-heavy game, so that’s pretty much where the inventive mechanics stop. Otherwise, it is a solid RPG with leveling systems and plenty of loot to collect while exploring its sprawling environments.
Touhou Luna Nightsis a lot likeTimespinner. It’s a Metroidvania with time elements that freeze enemies in place for platforming purposes. It stops other objects in time too, like water, allowing players to bypass lakes if they need to.
Touhouhas all the accouterments ofCastlevania: Symphony of the Night,from the leveling system to the art aesthetic. Instead of a vampire, though, players are an anime maid who can throw dozens of knives at her opponents. Of the many indie Metroidvanias out there, this one doesn’t get enough love.
