Although the prince of Persia returns strongly, the mythical saga is still trapped in its past

Five years without a new roar in the desert. This was the long silence that fans had to bear Prince of Persia. One of the most iconic franchise of Ubisoft – and of the world of video games in general – which, after decades of history, continues to look for its place in the present. And although Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown He managed to revive the flame in 2024, now prominence is monitored by an even more awaited return: The remake of The sands of the time. But what does this return really mean? A second young man for the prince or simply a reminder that Ubisoft doesn’t know very well what to do with him?

The most desired return

Originally launched in 2003, Prince of Persia: Las Arenas del Tiempo The saga is completely redefined. It was the fourth main title, but the first one who dared to revolutionize the approach with a surround narration, fluid platforms, stylized fights and, of course, the power to control time. Few games have aged so well in collective memoryAnd for this, for years, fans shout for an updated version.

Ubisoft listened … but at his pace. Announced in 2020, the remake has undergone more delays, changes of study, redesign and doubts. Today, the only safe thing is that The project is still alivebut without a clear release date. An advance without calendar that transformed the illusion into uncertainty.

Patch or real bet?

In the meantime, to calm the waters (or mix more), Ubisoft has launched The rogue prince of PersiaA completely new but cut title Roguelike and 2nd lateral movement, developed by Evil Empire (those responsible for Dead cells). Visually powerful and with a frenetic gameplay, it is an interesting bet … even if many fans see it as A minor deviation, a “in the meantime” without too many ambitions.

And it is that the decision to delegate the prince’s immediate future in another study, however competent, It is still a symptom: Ubisoft seems more focused on the removal of past glories than in the creation of new ones.

A glorious past and a future doubt

The sands of the time It was only the beginning of an epic trilogy that continued with Warrior inside (2004) Y The two thrones (2005). Later, in 2010, he arrived Forgotten sandsA kind of forced bridge between the video game and the film with Jake Gyllenhaal, who has not convinced the criticism or the players. The stumbling block left the saga in a lethargy of the one he has just aroused.

The success of The lost crown In 2024 it was a radius of hope. With animated aesthetics, agile combat and a new story with Sargon (not the classic prince), has shown that the franchise still has life if it is treated with respect and innovation. But Ubisoft, instead of continuing that line, dismantled the responsible team and chose to pull nostalgia.

Nostalgia as a creative compass

And here is the key to the topic: Can a franchise live only from your memories? The remake of The sands of the time It is undoubtedly a safe letter. He has the affection of the public, the recognition of criticism and a legacy that support him. But it also runs the risk of being a dead end.

If the game triumphs, we will definitely see the remakes Warrior inside y The two thrones. But if Ubisoft complies this and does not risk new modern stories or mechanics, the prince could end like many other video games: Stuck in a golden cage, applauded by what it was, ignored by what could have been.