Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Pipeworks Software / Ubisoft Montreal
Wireless Multiplayer: No
Game Sharing: No
Wireless LAN: No
Requires Memory Stick: Yes (256k Minimum)


Prince of Persia: Revelations is yet another inclusion into one of the most famous and enjoyable franchises in the history of gaming. From its original days on Commodore 64, to its present day appearances on current-generation consoles, The Prince makes his first appearance on the Sony PSP handheld. But, has he survived the tests of time, and is his first chance at handheld glory a successful one?

Prince of Persia: Revelations is set directly after Sands of Time, which is available for all current-generation gaming consoles. The Prince is now on the run from a mystical beast known as Dahaka. After saving Sultan’s palace from destruction, the Prince caused a change in the Timeline and the Dahaka is set on fixing this change; by killing the Prince. Constantly on the run from this terrifying creature that is bent on his destruction, the Prince must quickly return to the birthplace of the Sands of Time, travel back in time and stop them from ever being created.

Under constant pressure of death from the Dahaka, the Prince leaves immediately for the Sands.

One thing that is great about Revelations is that there is an in-depth and clean control tutorial in-game. This allows you to understand the basics, as well as the many combos available, while also getting into the flow of the game. What makes this such an advantage is that it stops you from having to pause the game, look at the manual, and then go back again to understand how to do something, like run across a wall or climb onto a ledge. It is also this in-game tutorial that informs you how many different options you have for getting around in many different environments. Although there is no second analog-stick, Revelations has been successfully adapted to the handheld. Pulling off attack combos on enemies is incredibly simple, and you will remember the basics that will allow you to attack the best way for that particular situation.

The lack of a second-analog would also make you wonder how The Prince camera scheme would work on the PSP, but it has been pulled off quite nicely. Using the d-pad, L button and analog-nub, you can change your camera view to your liking without much trouble, and this is one advantage that really sticks out for Revelations.

However, this great camera-system and great combo-buttons and tutorials are extremely let down by the high abundance of glitches in-game. At times, there is a noticeable delay with reaction time, and you will notice that a combo will not actually happen until half a second after you press all of the required buttons. Also, continuous loading happens during game-play for no particular reason. This can flaw your attempts at defeating enemies, and you will eventually have to start a combo again because of the stop in game-play and that effects your perception and timing.

Overall, a broad and easy control scheme, backed-up by awesome combos and a great camera system are damaged by avoidable and annoying glitches that are consistent throughout the game. There is no possible way to justify how a game should have to load in-game, when the level has been loaded before hand. That shows under-preparation and a possibility of a rushed game to meet a street date.

As with game-play glitches, Revelations also has its share of graphical problems. This is a shame, because the game actually looks great; environments can be beautiful and character animation can be perfect. However, these glitches are at times so bad, that you will actually question why the game was released with so many glitches. Instances where you are attacked without actually seeing the enemy move, your feet being stuck on the floor or in a wall and items disappearing and reappear for no reason will frustrate you and significantly alter your gameplay experience. Furthermore, it is glitches like these that seem to present in games that are publicly known to be rushed out. Even if Revelations was finished well before its street date, it is inexcusable to release a game with so many graphical problems. As said before, it is terrible that great character animation and awesome environments are flawed and brought down by glitches that are at times surprising and embarrassing.

Overall, from a graphical standpoint, the game looks great. If you are able to put glitches aside and ignore them, even if they alter your gaming experience, then you may very well consider this game to be on-par with graphics expected from a handheld with the power the PSP has.

Once again, Revelations has been let down by issues that are so obvious and consistent throughout, that anyone can wonder how the game was released with so many glitches. Although music and sound, when heard, sounds great, there are instances when audio stops for no particular reason. For example, you may be able to hear a waterfall quite clearly while you are exploring environments, but for a second or two, the sound will stop and then re-start again. When something like that stops and is no longer heard, it is quite obvious, and is more-so effective when you are standing still and sound effects will stop completely until you start to move again. At times it actually seems as though parts of the environment are “sound-effect free” because every time you walk through a particular area, you will be without music and sound effects for however long you are there.

Overall, it is disappointing that yet another aspect of this game is severely let down by glitches and issues that seem to be so avoidable. As with gameplay and graphics, the sound itself is great, but it is annoying problems that continually bring the game down in standards and affect the overall setting of the game.

At a minimum of around $70 from most online stores, Prince of Persia: Revelations does offer a lengthy adventure. Although the integrity of the level design is letdown by graphical issues, Revelations offers a decent play-through and is relatively adapted well for gameplay on a handheld. However, the price-tag is not reflective of the final product, and although you may find yourself attracted by the gameplay and length of the game itself, you may also be distracted by the glitches that are consistent throughout the whole game.

Furthermore, you should avoid being dragged in by the history of the franchise. Revelations disappointingly offers a watered version from the console games. It provides an experience that can be incredibly frustrating because of the potential that the final product failed to display, although decent graphics and good gameplay is clearly evident.

Prince of Persia: Revelations so far takes the prize of most disappointing Sony PSP game. It is because of certain aspect of the game that are so good and other major aspects that are so poor that let this game down. Inconsistency throughout with both the graphics and sound will frustrate many, and in-game loading after pre-level loading is unacceptable at this stage of the PSP’s life.

Some people may find Revelations incredibly enjoyable and very playable, and it is, but it is difficult to consider a game to be up to the standards of any game when there are glitches that are so continuous and annoying. If you are able to look beyond glitches such as being attacked without realizing your enemy is moving, or sound stopping at any time, then you will be able to travel the distance of the lengthy adventure without being troubled. Unfortunately, it is the issues that have been stated that will be noticeable, whether they annoy you or not, and these effect the overall reputation the game will develop.