Prince of Persia 2008 is the saga reboot with the Prince and Elika in a world corrupted by Ahriman. Sumptuous watercolour art direction, innovative Elika protection mechanic. More forgiving than the Sands but very beautiful.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player12+
Description
Ubisoft Montreal poetic reboot reinventing Prince of Persia with cel-shading art direction and companion Elika. Published by Ubisoft, released in Europe in December 2008. Watercolor cel-shading art direction, companionship with magician Elika, parkour-combat-puzzle gameplay, open structure in fragmented world, and controversial but poetic conclusion. European version.
Prince of Persia review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Chiselled Persian architecture, undulating fabrics and golden light: the adventure is steeped in a Thousand and One Nights tale of rare elegance. The acrobatic fluidity of the hero and the beauty of the settings compose an enchantment in motion. This art direction, refined and warm, elevates every leap and every ruin.
Signed by Inon Zur, the music wraps the Prince's journey in an ethereal orchestra with Persian accents, of rare contemplative beauty. Each regenerated landscape blooms to the rhythm of luminous, soothed melodies. This sonic breadth, refined and spellbinding, elevates the visual poetry of this singular entry.
A 2008 reboot with striking cel-shading, which relaunched the brand in a bold artistic direction after the Sands trilogy. Printed widely, it stays common and lightly priced. Its collector interest lies in its role as a notable stylistic turn for the series, a singular entry, more than in scarcity, its mainstream distribution ruling out any high price.
Is Prince of Persia still worth playing in 2026?
The 2008 Prince of Persia reboot offers a bold reinterpretation of the saga, in a world corrupted by the god of darkness Ahriman, alongside the sorceress Elika. Its watercolour art direction, of a singular pictorial beauty, has lost none of its grace and remains one of its greatest assets. The acrobatic traversal system, fluid and exhilarating, and the presence of Elika, who catches the hero rather than letting him die, make for an adventure gentler than the Sands of Time. This choice of accessibility divided opinion. But for the fan of contemplative, elegant action-adventure, the journey remains memorable.
