Exciting News: The highly anticipated game, The Rogue Prince of Persia, is in development by the renowned studio Evil Empire, known for their work on Dead Cells. Teaming up with Ubisoft, the developers recently allowed journalists to experience this action-packed roguelike game firsthand, and initial impressions are already making waves online.
During the preview session, media members had a 45-minute sneak peek at a work-in-progress build. Here are some key takeaways from the early articles by international colleagues.
Insights from the Creators
- The art director at Evil Empire, Dylan Eurlings, revealed that The Rogue Prince of Persia boasts a fresh storyline set in a new universe. Collaborating closely with Ubisoft Montpellier, known for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, ensured a unique approach to the game’s development.
“The concept of The Rogue emerged during the alpha phase of The Lost Crown. We maintained constant communication from the start. By exchanging ideas and playing each other’s games, we ensured our projects remained distinct yet cohesive within the same franchise.”
Lucie Dewagnier, game director
Gameplay Impressions
- In The Rogue Prince of Persia, players follow a hero who navigates time travel throughout his journey. Equipped with a unique item that safeguards him at the brink of death, the Prince evolves into a skilled acrobat and swordsman, albeit lacking strategic foresight. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a Persian kingdom under siege by the Huns.
- Within the game, players explore themed 2D zones, engage in combat, gather coins from fallen foes, and seek weapon enhancements. Convenient portals facilitate swift travel between previously visited areas. Upon death, the hero awakens in a camp-hub to restock supplies, upgrade gear, and more.
- Reviewers noted that the controls in The Rogue resemble those in Dead Cells, easing the transition for fans of Evil Empire’s previous titles. The Prince can evade enemies, deliver powerful strikes, and utilize ranged weaponry, albeit with limited uses.
“The Prince’s agility surpasses that of the Prisoner. Climbing walls and swinging on bars, reminiscent of Dead Cells, is enhanced by wall running, injecting a fresh dynamic into the genre,” explained a journalist. Scaling sheer surfaces horizontally or vertically mimics a double jump, aiding in traversal and combat evasion.
- Players can enhance each of the hero’s attacks using special medallions. Upgrades include poisoning arrows, slowing enemies with tar, or unleashing fiery kicks to send foes flying. Additionally, altars scattered across levels offer weapon upgrades in exchange for sacrifices.
- The developers opted to remove a time-rewind mechanic that disrupted gameplay flow and combat engagement, favoring a more seamless experience.
- Journalists appreciated platforming-centric zones, where dodging hazards like rotating blades and spike pits added an extra layer of challenge and excitement to the gameplay.
- The game’s bosses present formidable challenges, catering to hardcore genre enthusiasts. Despite aiming for a broader audience than Dead Cells, the developers maintained a high level of difficulty to keep players engaged.
Critics lauded Evil Empire for crafting a stylish roguelite action game with a distinct identity. An IGN journalist praised the game’s expanded freedom of movement and striking art style, expressing eagerness to delve deeper into the adventure and experiment with various weapons and enhancements.
The Rogue Prince of Persia is set to launch in early access on Steam on May 14, with plans for Russian language support in the future.
Source: stopgame.ru