The Rogue Prince of Persia Review for PlayStation 5

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Prince of Persia series, so when I heard that Evil Empire, the team behind Dead Cells, was tackling a roguelite entry, I couldn’t wait to see what they had in store. “The Rogue Prince of Persia,” published by Ubisoft, doesn’t try to reinvent the formula entirely, but it does find a clever way to blend fast, fluid movement with roguelike progression, and the end result is one of the most enjoyable 2D action-platformers I’ve played in quite some time.

The game is set in and around the city of Ctesiphon, where the Prince’s own reckless actions provoke the wrath of the Huns, and yes, the protagonist in this game is referred to as “Prince.” Their chief, Nogai, sends waves of possessed soldiers to tear down the city, and it’s up to the Prince to stop them. Instead of sticking with a straightforward linear adventure, Evil Empire frames this story through roguelite systems. The Prince is spared from permanent death by a mysterious artifact that rewinds time, sending him back to a hub area called The Oasis whenever he falls. From there, I could restock potions, upgrade skills, unlock new weapons, and prepare for the next attempt to push further into enemy territory. This structure works beautifully because it gives weight to each run without making failure feel punishing. Enemies drop coins that can be spent on healing items or new weapons mid-run, and I regularly stumbled upon chests containing fresh gear. The game’s “Memory Board” adds another interesting layer to this onion by recording the Prince’s interactions with supporting characters, many of whom share tips about secrets or upcoming level layouts. These little discoveries surprisingly gave me a little more of that extra motivation that really helped me want to dive back in after every defeat.

What really separates “The Rogue Prince of Persia” from other roguelites, though, is its approach to movement. Wall-running, vaulting, and chaining together acrobatic combos are just as essential as swinging a sword. The parkour system feels natural and responsive, letting me scale walls, dodge traps, and close in on enemies with an exhilarating flow. It doesn’t take long before movement and combat start to feel inseparable, and that’s where the game shines most. Every battle rewards precision, creativity, and style, which is exactly what I want from an action-platformer with this kind of pedigree. The variety of weapons and medallions also adds plenty of depth. With over 100 to discover and master, each run encouraged me to experiment with different builds and combinations. Some attempts leaned into heavy-hitting melee power, while others had me relying more on ranged attacks or status effects. No two runs ever felt exactly alike, and the randomization of levels, items, and events kept things fresh even after multiple hours of play.

That said, the procedural generation can sometimes get in the way of the otherwise smooth pacing. Levels occasionally felt awkwardly pieced together, disrupting the momentum that the traversal system works so hard to build. It’s a minor issue, but one that becomes more noticeable when the game is firing on all other cylinders and I get into a nice flow state. Visually, the game embraces a vibrant art style that feels right at home alongside Evil Empire’s previous work, and the intense soundtrack ties it all together. Every action, from wall-running across a gap to finishing off a foe, pulses with energy, making the whole experience as exciting to watch as it is to play. For me, the mark of a strong roguelite is whether I feel drawn back in after each failure, and “The Rogue Prince of Persia” nails that feeling. Even when I lost, I was eager to take what I’d learned, whether it was a new weapon, a character insight, or just a sharper grasp on traversal, and push further on the next run. The meta progression systems are rewarding without being overwhelming, and they give the sense that every death inches the Prince closer to redemption.

While the game doesn’t revolutionize the roguelite genre, it absolutely succeeds in carving out its own space. The acrobatic traversal distinguishes it from its peers, and the Prince’s agility feels like a natural fit for this style of game. It may not have the sprawling depth of some of the genre’s heaviest hitters, but it offers a focused, fast-paced adventure that captures the spirit of both Prince of Persia and roguelite design in equal measure. In the end, “The Rogue Prince of Persia” strikes an impressive balance between honoring the series’ legacy and charting a new path. Evil Empire clearly drew inspiration from their success with Dead Cells, but they didn’t just copy and paste that template; they adapted it into something that feels distinctly their own. It’s stylish, challenging, and addictive in all the right ways. For fans of roguelites or anyone with fond memories of the “Prince of Persia” series, this is absolutely worth your time.

8/10

The Rogue Prince of Persia is available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud, and Xbox on PC for Game Pass users. Additionally, the game is available on Windows PC via the Epic Games Store, Steam, and Ubisoft Connect.

Related: Nick Navarro Reviews

Nick Navarro

+ posts

Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87