There have a plethera of changes to the PoP series, but sometimes, change is good and in this case, change is freak'n awesome. Although many people will be turned off by these changes, both hardcore and casual gamers will be able to enjoy this next chapter in Prince of Persia saga.
For one thing, the graphics are absolutely stunning! Every towering palace, every corrupted minion, and every lush green tree is just unbelievably good looking. In addition to the environment, the Prince's sword swings, gauntlet tosses, and Elika's magical attacks all flow in chain so fluent, you'll sometimes forget you're pressing buttons. However, the large and realistic ancient Babylonian cities that filled the other Prince of Persia games are gone, which is not entirely bad, but it is missed. Also, the platforming is rather easy, for the environment has many cues in which to use each move (i.e. scratched walls=wall run). Despite the flaws, the game is good-looking and never gives up its atmosphere.
Another big change to the game is adding a partner NPC (who stays with you through the entire game named Elika) into the PoP equation, and by all means, it was for the better. Even though the Prince is a arrogant and stubborn thief who questions his purpose in saving the Ahura world, Elika is the exact opposite, undoubtful in saving her people with all her energy. The two opposites help create enjoyable dialogue, and characters that are easy to connect with. In addition, each character's actions help develop the other. For example, at the beginning of the game, Elika is very strict and shrewed, but by the halfway point, she becomes little bit more laid back and open to the Prince's smirky attitude (basically the perfect girlfriend). The characters' and dialogue only help add to this beautiful vibrant world.
Now, the biggest change w/ Prince of Persia is the combat system and even though it can be incredibly easy towards the middle, it is enjoyable, simplistic, and completely different. Despite the many major reviewers who discuss the games easy combat system as too simplistic, it seems to be more creative. This is because instead of memorizing button combos, or mashing buttons to kill a foe, the player has to improvise his combo by rythmically chaining the Elika Button (Y), the Sword Button (X), and the Gauntlet Toss (B). Also, instead of the character getting better, the PLAYER (yes I mean you......) must improve. Now, think about the last game that needed you to get better instead of changing the difficulty or getting that "BFG". That is really the reason why I loved this game.
The only real problem I had with the game is that the playtime is pretty short, and even shorter if you can get into the combat system early on and being a $60 game (during an economic disaster), it's not the blockbuster value of the holiday season.
Even so if you can....
A. force your girlfriend to buy it for you, get it
B. get your buddies to buy it for you, get it
C. steal it from your older brother, get it.... and hide
D (the best option). rent it, experience this game, and let it take you into this vibrant world
