The Rogue Prince of Persia (Switch 2) Review – Handheld Heroics

The Rogue Prince of Persia

After launching in early access in May 2024 and arriving on most consoles in August, The Rogue Prince of Persia finally makes the leap to Nintendo’s hybrid device. Developed by Evil Empire, a studio with experience on Dead Cells, the game reimagines Ubisoft’s heralded but often overlooked franchise, taking it in a bold, new direction. Will the fast-paced, challenging roguelike adventure manage a flawless run on the Switch, or will it struggle to keep up with the Prince’s blistering speed and precision demands?

As the over-confident and somewhat reckless Prince, your actions lead to a devastating invasion of Persia, resulting in countless casualties and ultimately your own demise. Resurrected by a magical bola, you are sent back in time, prior to the invasion, in order to gain knowledge about the upcoming events and stop them from occurring. The premise is well executed, managing to fit the lore of the franchise while also working as a roguelike concept. Each run offers objectives that allow the story to develop, giving purpose to subsequent runs.

Finding Your Feet

You learn about their locations and must traverse specific routes to complete missions and bring them to safety. These rescues expand the hub area, which you revisit between runs. Here, you learn more about the supporting cast and plan your next path forward. While the story doesn’t reach the heights of titles like Hades, it stands well above many others in the genre. Clear objectives give each run greater focus, encouraging you to complete specific tasks rather than simply push toward the end. The hub area also lets you unlock upgrades to support future attempts. Some open up new items to discover on subsequent runs, while others provide permanent bonuses that improve your chances of success.

Each run is an absolute joy thanks to the Prince’s fluid movement that perfectly combines combat and traversal. With ease, you can leap from ledges, swing off poles, and run up walls to reach your destination. The level design enhances this with vertical sections and slopes that demand quick reactions to climb structures and avoid hazards. Speed is encouraged through the Vayu’s Breath mechanic, which grants buffs when you combine acrobatics, which helps when you encounter the range of foes on your path.

Armed and Dangerous

You will pick up a range of weapons during your adventure, each with unique properties that help to vary gameplay. Primary weapons are often melee-focused, while secondary items give options at range. In addition to your typical strikes, you can also use the environment to get an adventure. Strike from above to cause large damage, kick foes into one another to break shields and hurdle guards to attack from behind. With a range of options available, this allows you to be creative with each encounter, which makes every fight feel different.

The game does lack a little variety in its enemies. Although each area introduces new environmental hazards and some stage-specific creatures, most regular foes remain the same, which can make certain segments feel overly familiar. However, each boss fight differs and challenges both traversal and combat skills. These encounters are a highlight, requiring you to react quickly to attacks and counter with the full range of skills in your arsenal.

Focusing on design, Evil Empire absolutely nails it. Each area looks unique, capturing the sense of travelling through Persia. Its incredible animation enhances every step, jump, and sword swing, making each one look stunning. Add in an array of menacing creatures and memorable characters, and you have one of the best-looking games in the genre. The presentation gets a notable boost from its Persian-influenced soundtrack. Featuring traditional instruments blended with modern, electronic beats, it perfectly captures the spirit of the franchise, making each run a visual and auditory treat that keeps you hooked.

Pocket Prince

The Nintendo Switch 2 version runs flawlessly in both handheld and docked modes. With a steady 60fps, you’re not getting a lesser version of the game on Nintendo’s console. In fact, it shines as a handheld experience, with relatively short runs that make it an excellent pick-up-and-play title. Loading times between levels are longer than on other consoles; however, once you’re in the action, it’s hard to notice the difference.

Rogue Prince of Persia is an incredible roguelike that captures the identity of the franchise while perfectly adapting it to the roguelike formula. The slick, smooth traversal combined with varied combat creates an addictive system, making each run to save your beloved country a blast. A perfect title for handheld gameplay, the Switch 2 handles the frenetic action well, even though some load times are slightly longer than on other consoles. Regardless, this is an essential title on any system, and the Switch 2 version delivers a portable experience that rivals home consoles.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code provided by the publisher***