Sifting Through Forgotten Sands: New Prince Of Persia Details Emerge

Back in November, Ubisoft announced a new Prince of Persia title, The Forgotten Sands, for release in May 2010. A few weeks later, their press release gave us more insight into what it was to be about, revealing some interesting details about the protagonist formerly known as Prince. Apparently, their 2008 reboot with the cel-shaded Prince hasn't gone over nearly as well with fans as the 2003 Sands of Time version - as the video shows, we're going back to last generation's Prince for this new installment.

Of course, the main character's digs aren't the only throwback in this re-reboot. The game will take place between Sands of Time and Warrior Within, filling in some of the gap between the original, cocky Prince and now-infamous 'emo period' in the latter game. After saving his own kingdom of Azad, the Prince heads to a faraway land to visit his brother, who has unwisely unleashed a Sand Army to try and protect his lands from foreign invaders. So in addition to seeing the the usual sand creatures in glorious HD, you'll also encounter sand-encased versions of the kingdom's inhabitants, frozen in time while trying to protect their lands.

The dueling combat from 2008's PoP is being whisked away, as the new engine running 2010's game will have large, sweeping slashes and whole roomfuls of baddies to catch them--Ubisoft says upwards of 50 enemies can be displayed at one time, and new acrobatics will make it easier to move among them.

As far as the Prince's magic powers go, we already know the game will include the popular time-rewinding power, so you don't have to worry about a magical girl holding your hand every time you fall. The Prince will receive guidance from a djinn, Razia, who will serve to guide players through the new world and also bestow new elemental powers. The image above shows off the water ability, which lets players freeze water solid in an instant, to be used in wallrunning up waterfalls or swinging on fountains. None of the other powers have been detailed, however, so this promises to allow players some freedom to explore once the elements themselves become a method of locomotion.

And, of course, anyone who's watched trailer for Jerry Bruckheimer's Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time as much as I have must necessarily see the resemblance between him and this game's Prince, which is likely no surprise: the release of The Forgotten Sands coincides quite strongly with that of the movie, which should make it an excellent continuation point for game fans and movie fans alike. Not so much for PC fans, however, unless you like DRM making demands of your internet connection.

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands will be releasing May 18 in the US and May 20 in Europe.

Remembering The Past With Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands [Giant Bomb]