When the originalPrince of Persia: Sands of Timewas released in 2003, it captivated gamers for its innovative mechanics,rich atmosphere, and enthralling storyline. The game, now a classic, is well renowned for itsfluid parkour, time-bending abilities, and compelling narrative.
Now, with thePrince of Persia: Sands of Timeremakeannounced, fans are eagerly anticipating the game, and hoping that it will satisfy their nostalgia. So, it’s crucial that the remake should strive to retain the best elements that made the classicSands of Timesuccessful. Here are seven ways that the upcoming remake should honor the legacy of the original game while embracing modern tech.
7Core Storyline & Characters
Any Narrative Addition To The Core Storyline Should Be Enhanced, Not Altering
The story in the originalSands of Timerevolved around the prince unleashing the Sands of Time, wreaking havoc, and turning people into monsters. This central plot must be preserved, and every story beat and character motivations must remain consistent with the plot.
Ubisoft should also retain the roles of key characters: Farah, the prince’s ally, and Vizier, the main antagonist of the game. Their personalities must be integral to the original game. Any major alteration to the core storyline and character personalities could disrupt the experience for returning fans.
6Atmospheric Environments
Maintain Immersive, Persian-Inspired Architecture
For a game released in 2003, the originalSands of Timesuccessfully managed to present richly detailed and immersive atmospheric environments. Several locations, including the iconic Maharajah’s palace, lush gardens, and trap-filled corridors boasted attention to detail and high quality.
The remake should faithfully recreate thePersian-inspiredarchitectural design and thereby contribute to the overall immersion and atmospheric environments. Using current technology and modern design philosophy, Ubisoft can honor the legacy of the original game while getting the remake to shine on its own.
5Musical Score
Stick To The Iconic Middle-Eastern Musical Theme
Fans would agree that the originalSands of Timewould be incomplete without thefantastic musical scoreby the legendary composer Stuart Chatwood. The original game featured a traditional blend of Middle Eastern instruments fused with a modern orchestra, which created the signaturePrince of Persiasoundscape.
The upcomingSands of Timeremake should also ensure that it nails the evocative musical score, producing a sense of nostalgia for returning players, while also captivating new audiences. On a side note, the remake could also benefit from re-purposing a few sound cues from the original game for the nostalgia factor alone.
4Puzzles & Level Design
Retain Puzzles That Demand Agility And Precise Timing
One of the recognizable aspects ofPrince of Persiagames is intricate puzzles that require creative thinking, and the same holds true for the originalSands of Time. While fans would appreciate large-scale puzzles that take advantage of modern tech and rendering capabilities, it’s imperative that Ubisoft ensures that most puzzles in the remake revolve around the prince’s time-bending abilities.
Speaking of level design, unexpected traps, and challenging parkour sections can make the gameplay experience even more engaging and fun.
3Sense Of Exploration & Discovery
Make Reaching Health Fountains Challenging & Rewarding
Exploration and discovery in the originalSands of Timewere limited to the prince exploring the levels in search of sand clouds and heath fountains. Yet, these still provided fans with a sense of finding a new, hidden region beyond just the main playable area. The health fountain paths were deliberately made mystical to produce a sense of awe among fans.
The remake should strive to recapture that sense of wonder when players veer off in a different direction looking for collectibles, and especially health fountains. Ubisoft could also try spicing things up by adding traps and challenging platforming sections along the paths leading to the fountains.
2Incredible Cinematic Sequences
Utilize Mocapped Cutscenes To Further The Narrative & Provide Exposition
Cutscenes played a great role in advancing the plot and developing the main characters in the original game. The remake should consider the impact that well-animated cutscenes have on the audience. For instance,mocapped cutscenescan be used to show the revelation that dawns upon the prince when he realizes the power of the Dagger of Time.
Good cinematics can enhance pivotal moments in the remake with updated visuals to ensure that gameplay and cutscenes transition smoothly. While lacking in the original game, modern technology can also convey the emotional range and authenticity of character interactions to create a lasting impact on the audience.
1Prince’s Internal Dialogue
Retain The Prince’s Self-Talk To Convey His Feelings And Thoughts
In the original game, the prince spent the majority of his time alone as he explored and overcame various challenges in his adventure. During those moments, players had the chance to learn about the game’s lore, as well as about the prince’s place in the adventure.
As the prince went about his mission to rid the world of the infestation of sands, he usually commented on the new regions he ventured into, and sometimes, even helped players solve puzzles through subtle verbal hints. The remake should ensure that the Prince’s self-talk or internal dialogue remains central to building a connection between players and the character.
