Test of “Prince of Persia Classic” on iPhone and iPad: UbiSoft revisits this great classic in HD

The
premierPrince of Persiareleased in 1989 will forever remain a
unbeatable classic and one of the foundations of the platform game
mechanics still as exciting today. Ubi Soft understood this and
after offering us a “Retro” version using the graphics of the
Super Nintendo version perfectly adapted to iOS, here is a version
“Classic” offering graphics completely updated, stuffed
nice effects and colors, and in HD please. Successful ?
Yep! to see in the test below:

Find Prince of Persia Classic on the App Storefor iPhone (1.59€)etfor iPad (2.39€).

Brought up to date, the graphics therefore offer decorations
shimmering, characters created and animated in 3D and new details
everywhere. Is that all? Graphically yes and it is clear that
this aesthetic revisitation is tastefully done. We will tickle a little about the
small cutscenes, where the characters presented at the full height of
the screen reveals a modeling that is too approximate for this kind of
scenes: it's not very beautiful anymore but hey, it's still incidental.

The level design does not change one iota nor the handling, still the same
rigid – which is perfectly integrated into the game mechanics – and
adequate for a touch screen (even if a few unintentional deaths
will make you miss a real pad). The editor still added a butterfly
light which shows us the way if we stay too much on the spot, simplifying
exploration (too bad, it's one of the attractions of the game) as well as some
movements like a backflip and the possibility of catching yourself in mid-air
falling at the last minute to a platform behind you. We also note some
new elements in the game modes, now offering a “normal” mode
where we no longer play against the clock, a “chrono” mode where we have a
hour to finish the game (like in the original game), and a survival mode where we
must not only finish the game in an hour but also not die once
only once. Suffice to say that this last mode will give a cold sweat even to
those who know Prince of Persia 1 by heart. Among the unpublished, a
Optional Facebook and Game Center integration are also
available, where the “Retro” version on iOS offered none of that.

So should we go for this new Classic version or settle for
the Retro version? It's difficult to answer. The new “Survival” mode
is an undeniable plus boosting the lifespan, the HD graphics add
something, although nostalgia allows you to be satisfied with the Retro version
on this level. The Retro version also has the advantage of being an application
universal, made for the iPhone and iPad, which is also less expensive
(0.79€), while there are two separate versions for the Classic version
(see links at the end of the article). Ultimately it's a question of taste.
and means, because whatever version is chosen, Prince of Persia remains a
excellent game that you absolutely must play once in your life from A to Z.

We like:
– Really pretty graphic redesign.
– The new “Survival” game mode, unforgiving, even for fans who
know the game by heart.
– A classic that is still timeless.

We like less:
– Lousy cutscenes.
– Non-universal application.
– The new flame indicating the path is unfortunately not optional.
– Well, now we want an adaptation of the excellent Prince of Persia 2
(1993).