A GOTY Contender

As I embarked on my initial venture into Prince of Persia:

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The Lost Crown over the past couple of weeks on the PlayStation 5, I had neatly boxed my expectations. I envisioned a succinct, eight-hour Metroidvania experience, heavily focused on combat and exploration, with the narrative taking a back seat. In my mind, it was a minor Ubisoft release, offering a brief respite from their more grandiose open-world sagas such as the Assassin's Creed franchise.

Boy, was I wrong Just playing the first couple hours of the game and the scale of The Lost Crown became apparent to me. Far from being the breezy side gig that I had anticipated, this title tells the tale of Sargon's quest as it unfolds in a world rich with diverse biomes, a tapestry of characters, and a plethora of side quests, including formidable optional bosses. Each element contributes to an expansive universe, meticulously crafted to engage and challenge.

As I started the game the first time, Sargon, our hero, was surprisingly well-equipped from the onset. His arsenal boasted a comprehensive range of attacks, establishing one of the most intricate combat systems I've witnessed in this genre. The freedom to chain aerial combos, juggle enemies, and execute powerful dashes infused the gameplay with a dynamic and expressive flair.