The Forgotten Sands is Prince of Persia designed by committee. It certainly ticks all the boxes: handsome graphics—check, sweeping, epic soundtrack—check, clever, challenging platforming—check. Yet, despite having some of the most ingenious and fun mechanics of any Prince of Persia game (freezing and unfreezing water, in particular, is a concept that remains perpetually fresh and fun), it’s missing the one thing that has always made the series something special for me: heart.

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About our scale… the number of words in our review reflects the score of the game. In practical terms, you could assume that games reviewed in 49 words or fewer should be avoided, games reviewed in 50-75 words would make a decent rental, and games reviewed in 76 words or more would make a solid purchase.

Who could have guessed that an American football game developed by a bunch of Europeans with the sole intention of showcasing their impressive physics engine would play like an American football game developed by a bunch of Europeans with the sole intention of showcasing their impressive physics engine?

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About our scale… the number of words in our review reflects the score of the game. In practical terms, you could assume that games reviewed in 49 words or fewer should be avoided, games reviewed in 50-75 words would make a decent rental, and games reviewed in 76 words or more would make a solid purchase.