About the game
Prince of Persia is a fantasy platformer, originally developed by Jordan Mitchener and released in 1989 for the Apple II, which represented a major leap forward in the quality of animation seen in video games. Following its original release for the Apple II, Prince of Persia was ported to a wide range of platforms. Despite being repetitive at first glance, the game managed to surprise and amaze the player. This was achieved by interspersing clever puzzles and deadly traps along the path that the player-controlled prince had to take to complete the game—all of this packed into smooth, realistic action. Prince of Persia influenced a subgenre known as the cinematic platformer, which imitated sprawling non-scrolling levels, fluid animation, and control style.
The game takes place in ancient Persia. While the Sultan is at war in a foreign land, his vizier Jafar, a sorcerer, seizes power. Jafar’s only obstacle to ascending the throne is the Sultan’s daughter (though the game never specifically states how this happens). Jafar holds her captive in a tower and orders her, under threat of execution, to become his wife. The game’s nameless protagonist, who is in love with the princess, is thrown into the palace dungeons. The player must guide the protagonist out of the dungeons and into the palace tower, defeating Jafar and freeing the princess in under 60 minutes. In addition to the guards, various traps, and dungeons, the protagonist is further hindered by his counterpart, a ghost of himself conjured from a magic mirror. The player’s main goal is to guide the nameless protagonist out of the dungeons and into a tower before time runs out. This cannot be done without bypassing traps and fighting enemy swords. The game consists of twelve levels (though some console versions have more). However, the game session can only be saved and resumed later after level 2.
Pictures from the game
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