Prince of Persia: Warrior Within Review (TheWizard)
When the Ubisoft was great and games were legendary...
Way more dark (and a bit edgy) game compate to the SoT, WW was improved in many ways.
+ first and foremost - the battle system - it has now really complex combat system, with grabs (to strangle an enemy for example), weapon throws, enemy throws (to just threw them from edges of combat zones into abyss or into traps, mechanisms), also more combos with single target damage or strong aoe to keep enemies out of the reach
+ weapons and modificators - as the nessesity to carry the dagger has gone, Prince can pick up weapons from his enemies or from weapon stands. They have different classes, with different effects (like for example maces have guaranteed knockback, and daggers excell in being threwn). Some weapons also have additional effects, like healing on hit, or dealing a lot more damage for the cost of life per every hit)
+ the castle of time itself is a maze, and you need to alter between its past and present versions to pass through. Some consider its for reuse and backtracking, but for me it was a great idea, with all that machinery broken, new passages and obstacles emerge
+ difficulty levels, more dangerous traps, more difficult parkour sequenses enrich the gameplay greatly. Now you really need to push over the limit especially in those health chambers
+ bosses - great addition compare to the SoT with semi-boss enemies (like Shakhraman and Vizier)
+ THE MUSIC!!! - Godsmack "Straight of the line" and "I stand alone" are supergreat. Fighting segments rock riffs are dope, and the ambience - really enjoed it
+ better balance between sand powers that the SoT (you really have usecases for all of them through the game)
To be fair it has some drawbacks too:
- gliches, that can softlock the game (so better save often) and some problems with stability (the game IS old)
- need some work with configurational files to make game work with modern resolutions (well i made 2k resolution work after 30 mins with a guide)
- the true ending is hidden behind the secrets (and you need to find all of them, which is kinda tough without a guide on a first walkthrough (my personally found 8/9))
- some lore continuity discussions
All in all, this game is great, and in my opinion is the best of the original trilogy, and 2 reboots. Definitely recommended