This game is a lot of fun and builds on everything Sands of Time initiated. Excellent platforming and combat with a much more open field for exploration.

It's darker and edgier, and only has a few small glimmers of the lighthearted tongue in cheek spirit as the first and third game, but that's also the point as the prince is stuck in his own self indulgent journey. In its own right it does stick out with some of its own personality banging out some cool metal tunes and nice dark color saturations that makes the game pop. Out of the three games I've always been digging Warrior Within's aestetical values the most.

The only reason I really pull this game down a notch is because it is rough around the edges, occasionally janky, has some bad bugs and a few softlock situations. I actually saved myself from a bad one right before the final boss...
So do yourself a favour and keep a few extra saves just in case.