Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands

Lore & Background

Set in the fictional kingdom of Al-Rassan, the narrative diverges from the standard timeline to explore an alternate history where the Sands of Time have been unleashed prematurely. The story follows two distinct versions of the Prince: one who is a seasoned warrior leading his army against the invading forces of Zibath, and another younger version who must navigate the treacherous politics of the desert tribes. The central conflict revolves around the Sand Kings, ancient entities that manipulate time through the Sands of Time, threatening to unravel the fabric of reality itself.

In Their Own Story

The wind howls across the dunes of Al-Rassan, carrying whispers of a war long forgotten. Two Princes stand back-to-back amidst the crumbling ruins of an ancient temple, their swords drawn against the shadowy figures of Zibath's army. The sands swirl around them, shifting between past and future as they fight not just for survival, but to restore the balance of time itself.

Reader's Guide

Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands was developed by Ubisoft Montreal following the success of the 2008 reboot. While it retained the fluid combat and parkour mechanics established in previous titles, it introduced a dual-protagonist system that allowed players to switch between two versions of the Prince. The game faced mixed reception from critics and fans alike, with praise for its visuals and level design but criticism for its repetitive gameplay and lack of innovation compared to earlier entries. Despite this, it remains an important chapter in the franchise's evolution, showcasing Ubisoft's commitment to expanding the Prince of Persia universe across multiple platforms. Behind the scenes, the development team worked closely with Jordan Mechner, the original creator of the series, to ensure that the spirit of the classic games was preserved. However, the decision to release simultaneous versions on both home consoles and handhelds led to significant differences in gameplay mechanics, which some fans felt diluted the overall experience.

Did You Know?

• Forgotten Sands is one of the few entries in the series to feature two playable protagonists simultaneously.
• The game was released alongside a Nintendo DS version with completely different gameplay mechanics tailored for handheld play.
• It marked the first time the Prince of Persia franchise appeared on the Wii console.