If you'd told me that the year 2024 in gaming would open with a bang with the release of a Metroidvania-style Prince of Persia title made the Ubisoft team behind Rayman Legends, I would have told yeah, sure, I'll get into that. And guess what? Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is pretty great! It's more Ori and the Will of the Wisps than Metroid Dread, with an emphasis on fluid movement and exploring and ever-growing map, with a bit of combat thrown in for good measure. And of course, the more you explore the more abilities you unlock, leading to further exploration into previously walled-off areas. Initially I'd actually thought the map would prove rather small, but it actually opens into a sprawling series of varied biomes, each with its own secrets and challenges to overcome. All is attached to a story revolving around saving the titular prince which is... fine? It does involve some fun cut scenes that combine a painterly art style with dynamic anime action, but the writing underpinning these sequence is, again, just fine. Serviceable. Other than that, there's a lot to enjoy here, bravo Ubisoft Montpellier.