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The arrival of the technology that has made it possible for developers to create fully fledged 3D third person action adventures has, I think, been somewhat misinterpreted by developers over the last decade or so. Because the technology is available, they seem to feel that they always have to use it. Thus every game that is released has to be massive and allow the player to wander everywhere, as in real life.
There are those of us, however, that, while appreciating the many brilliant games that this approach has yielded - the fully imersive game-as-alternate universe titles such as the `GTA`s, as well as more obvious examples like `Zelda: Ocarina of Time`, there are still those of us that occasionally crave something simpler, more readily playable, more old school. And for that something to not be just anotherrepackaged old game on a handheld console made by Nintendo.
Oddly, this is where `POPSOT` steps in. Certainly, its 3D, and very impressive looking for its time. But it has an immediacy and addictiveness and, above all else, a sheer digestibilty, that is sadly becoming increasingly rare in modern gaming.
It is relatively linear and straightforward: you solve the puzzles, fight the battles, save at regular intervals, and move on. The game is not riddled with cheats, secrets, hidden levels and so on. But it need not be, because the main game is good enough to hold your attention and render such gimmicks unnecessary. It is also highly innovative in its own way. Being able to reverse time when you are about to die (until you run out of magic sand) arguably makes the game a little too forgiving, but nonetheless it makes playing it, while it lasts, a far more pleasant and less frustarting experience. And after playing it I often found myself desperately pushing the trigger button in vain hoping the same would happen on other games - illustrating the extent to which this can get under your skin.
The game is disappointingly brief and relatively easy, but then games are on the whole too difficult nowadays, and it is most refreshing to have a game that can actually be completed by most who pick it up. And, of course, it is fun while it lasts.
The fact that the game is not divided into levels can create difficulties (imagine it: `Im stuck on Prince of Persia at, er, the bit with the stairs ans the birds...`) but, if anything, that helps to give the game added depth. You feel as if you are embarking on an epic journey, without the need for screens saying `Level 5 loading` to ruin the illusion.
Overall, then, this is something of a surprise package. An innovative, enjoyable, digestible game with a fundamentally old school playing ethos, which is sadly over all too soon. An essential purchase if you can find it cheap (which should not be hard now).
Reviewed by: Amazon Reviewer Rating: Date Reviewed: 27Jul2006 | | | Getting to grips with this adventure game was self explanatory , with an easing into proceedings before youre left to your own devices . The controls are intuitive , and the fight combinations show off the Princes athleticism . Whilst I took ten hours to make my way through the game , Im sure many more regular gamers may make the journey in a quicker period of time .
The use of time features is a novel idea , and one I hope they repeat in the new follow up .
Ultimately , this game is worthy of consideration at budget prices ; and I , for one , will look forward to purchasing the follow up if it is more of the same .
Reviewed by: Amazon Reviewer Rating:  Date Reviewed: 07Jan2005 | | | POP is definitley one of the most memorable gaming experiences your likley to have on the game cube or any other platform. Its fast paced, easy to pick up and looks fantastic. Every room is absoloutly beautiful, even the dungeon has a romantic hazyness to it. Your surroundings are some of the most impressive in a game since Devil may Cry on the PS2. Thats also not where the similarities end with the Demon slaying classic. Other than the slaying of demon zombies, its the controls both in and out of fights that will be familiar to fans of DMC, but with a few nice touches of its own.
The prince has a wide range of increasingly impressive moves at his disposal when it comes to solving puzzles; running up walls, bouncing between surfaces swinging from bars or ropes, balancing and loads more. The puzzles usually Involve `Get up there` or `Get down there` but youll never grow tired of watching our hero flip and spin his way to the top of a giant hall.
The fighting however is a little bit of a dissapointment, so many things are right with it, there are some great ideas with enemies like them getting harder and harder to fight and having to remember which moves are most effective on which enemies. Unfortunatley the battles end up a little crowded as the teleporting zombies swarm around you and youre only option is to keep bashing the B button till theyre all dead. You often end up pinned to the floor desperatley blocking the hundreds of stupid grey guys who wont let you get up as they swing their enourmous swords at you again and again and again. It might be because they are so easy to beat on thier own that the developers decided to send swarm after swarm of the guys at you but the fighting ends up as the least satisfying part of the game. That said if you fully master the controls with the sword ( and I mean fully) you can have some pretty spectacular moments in fights but theyre often followed by you lying on the floor holding R.l
The time bending gimmick is basicly a substitute for the continue screen which is a nice move as it stops the player feeling like theyre losing and throwing the pad down to go and read or something (a Game developers Nightmare). The Prince also has the ability to slow down time but this rarely seems useful as you have no advantages when youre in this slowed down state exept you can go get a drink while you wait for the sword to come down. Leave bullet time to the almighty Max Payne, guys... thats why its called `bullet` time.
Other faults include a distinct lack of malevolent bosses, memorable bad guys and a bit of a weak ending. But there are far too amny positives to let that stop you. The puzzles and most of the gameplay are superb and the character of the prince is one of the best in recent memory, up there with Ratchet and Clank, Dante and possibly even Solid Snake...possibly lets not get crazy...hes very likable anyway.
In other words its a real thrill ride and with a sequel in the near future could be one of the best new franchises to hit the gaming world for a long time. Buy it.
Reviewed by: Amazon Reviewer Rating: Date Reviewed: 29Jun2004 | | |
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