Rogue Prince of Persia (Switch 2) Review

Robber Prince of Persia

After launching in Early Access in May 2024 and appearing on most consoles in August, Robber Prince of Persia is finally making the transition to a Nintendo hybrid device. Developed by Evil Empire, a studio with experience working on Dead Cells, the game reimagines Ubisoft's much-heralded but often overlooked franchise, taking it in a bold new direction. Can the fast-paced, challenging roguelike adventure run flawlessly on Switch, or will it struggle to keep up with the Prince's incredible speed and demands?

Your actions as an overconfident and somewhat reckless prince lead to a devastating invasion of Persia, resulting in countless casualties and ultimately your own demise. Resurrected by a magical ball, you are sent back in time to before the invasion to gain knowledge of upcoming events and prevent them from happening. The idea is well executed, keeping with the lore of the franchise while still working as a roguelike concept. Each playthrough offers goals that allow the story to progress, giving meaning to subsequent playthroughs.

Find your feet

You learn about their location and must follow certain routes to complete missions and bring them to safety. These rescues expand the area of ​​the center that you revisit between visits. Here, you'll learn more about the supporting cast and plan your next path forward. While this story doesn't reach the heights of games like Hades, it is far superior to many other games in the genre. Clear goals give each run more purpose, encouraging you to accomplish specific goals rather than just aiming for the end. The hub zone also allows you to unlock updates to support future attempts. Some unlock new items that can be discovered on subsequent playthroughs, while others provide permanent bonuses that increase your chances of success.

Each run is a blast thanks to the Prince's fluid movements that perfectly balance combat and movement. You can easily jump off ledges, jump off poles, and scale walls to reach your destination. The level design reinforces this with vertical sections and slopes that require quick reactions to climb structures and avoid hazards. Speed ​​is rewarded with the Vayu Breath mechanic, which provides buffs when combining acrobatics, which helps when you encounter a lot of enemies along the way.

Armed and dangerous

Throughout your adventure, you'll pick up a variety of weapons, each with unique properties that help add variety to your gameplay. Primary weapons are often melee oriented, while secondary items provide ranged options. Apart from the normal beats, you can also use the environment to have an adventure. Strike from above to deal big damage, kick opponents into each other to break shields, and prevent guards from attacking from behind. With a wide range of options available, it allows you to get creative with each encounter, making every fight special.

The game really lacks enemy variety. While each area introduces new environmental hazards and some stage-specific creatures, most of the regular enemies remain the same, which can make some segments feel a little too familiar. However, each boss fight is different and challenges both movement and combat skills. These encounters are the highlight, requiring you to react quickly to attacks and counter them using the full range of skills in your arsenal.

With a focus on design, Evil Empire absolutely delivers on that. Each area looks unique, creating the feeling of traveling through Persia. Its incredible animation enhances every step, jump, and sword swing, making each one look stunning. Add in a variety of menacing creatures and memorable characters, and you have one of the most beautiful games in this genre. The presentation gets a noticeable boost from the Persian-style soundtrack. Traditional instruments mixed with modern electronic beats perfectly capture the spirit of the franchise, making every playthrough a visual and auditory treat that won't let you go.

Pocket Prince

The Nintendo Switch 2 version works flawlessly in both handheld and desktop mode. With a stable 60 frames per second, you won't get a lesser version of the game on your Nintendo console. In fact, it's great as a portable game with relatively short runs, making it a great game to pick up and play. Loading times between levels are longer than on other consoles; however, when you're in action, the difference is hard to notice.

Rogue Prince of Persia is an incredible roguelike that captures the franchise's personality while adapting it perfectly to the roguelike formula. Smooth and fluid progression combined with varied combat creates an exciting system that makes every run to save your beloved country a blast. Switch 2 is the perfect game for portable gaming. It handles the frantic action well, although some games have a little longer loading times than other consoles. Either way, it's an essential game for any system, and the Switch 2 version offers portability to rival home consoles.

***Nintendo Switch 2 code provided by the publisher***