Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

A metroidvania platformer where you parry enemy combos and use Shadow recall to rewind and solve puzzles, leading to alternate Sargon mirrors.

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026

Released Jan 2024 Action / Adventure

The best Ubisoft release in years — Lost Crown nails 2.5D metroidvania flow with Hollow-Knight comparisons, but Ubisoft canceled the sequel after sales disappointed.

8.7 /10

Strong

Previously an Editor's pick

For you if

You loved Hollow Knight or Metroid Dread and want a 15-hour 2.5D platformer
You enjoy combat-puzzle hybrids — Time Powers like Shadow recall fuel platforming and combat
You want challenging boss fights — Alternate Sargon mirrors are mid/late-game highlights

Not for you if

You demand a sequel — Ubisoft refused one and disbanded the dev team in 2024
You prefer 3D Souls-style combat over 2.5D parry-and-juggle
You bounced off The Messenger or Ori — Lost Crown's pacing has similar lulls

What players love

The fluid platforming and responsive combat make this one of the best Metroidvanias, with a rewarding difficulty curve.

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What critics say

8/10IGN
Returning to a 2D perspective lets Prince of Persia perfect its controls and combat.
Phil HornshawJan 2024 Read review →
9/10GameSpot
Prince of Persia boldly reinvents itself as a metroidvania, and it feels like it has found its new home.
Steve WattsJan 2024 Read review →
9.5/10Game Informer
Gameplay is king, and this Prince of Persia understands that.
Wesley LeBlancJan 2024 Read review →

Before You Play

Refreshed monthly

What are the Time Powers in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown?

Lost Crown is a 2.5D metroidvania with six Time Powers that gate progression and combat. Rush of the Simurgh is an air dash unlocked early. Shadow of Simurgh sets a recall point for instant teleport. Dimensional Claw pulls objects/enemies into a pocket dimension. Clairvoyance toggles platforms between solid and incorporeal. Gravity Wings grants double-jump. Fabric of Time is a grapple/pull power. Each unlocks after a major boss or story beat, and gating reuses earlier zones with new traversal options.

Source: GameSpot: All Time Powers

What are the best Athra Surges and amulets in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown?

Pair Verethragna's Wrath (Athra-build buff) with Gleaming Lion (parries fill Athra faster) for a rapid-surge build — 2-3 parries fill a bar, faster against bosses. Late-game amulets that boost Athra-on-attack stack on top. Best Athra Surges: Bahamut's Rage (massive AoE damage), Wind of Sistan (vortex with sustained damage), and Bahman's Breath (renewable healing) for early game. Mix and match based on whether you're stacking damage or sustain.

Source: Game8: Best Athra Surges

How long does it take to beat Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown?

Main story takes 15 hours focused. 100% completion (every Time Power, every Athra Surge, every Amulet, every collectible, every Alternate Sargon mirror, the post-game extras) lands at 20-25 hours depending on guide use and skill. Skilled metroidvania veterans skipping side content can speedrun in 12 hours; thorough explorers without guides hit 30 hours easily.

Source: TheGamer: How long is Lost Crown

What are the hardest bosses in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown?

Alternate Sargon mirrors are the hardest fights in the game — recurring boss encounters where you fight a copy of yourself with extra Athra abilities and matching parry timings. Strategy: fire arrows or Chakram throws to interrupt his combos, parry his deflectable attacks, and launch him into the air for juggle damage. The hardest mirror is the late-game Immortal-difficulty Alternate Sargon. Standard final bosses (Manticore, Jianzhang) are easier than the Sargon mirrors.

Source: Game Rant: Hardest bosses ranked

Was a Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sequel canceled?

Ubisoft confirmed in October 2024 it was disbanding the Lost Crown dev team and refusing the proposed sequel — citing disappointing sales despite strong critical reception. Director Mounir Radi pushed for a sequel and then for two expansions; Ubisoft reassigned the team to other projects with stronger sales potential. The core team has since reunited and is pitching new game ideas to Ubisoft. The original game's two planned expansions never shipped.

Source: VGC: Lost Crown team disbanded