Ubisoft has had a tough 2024, marked by missteps that have weighed heavily on the company’s reputation. While the studio looks ahead to reforming, it's worth taking a moment to reflect on one of the rare successes of the year — despite the fact that it's been largely overlooked by the public.
From the beginning of the year, Ubisoft faced challenges. Low morale and internal strife were compounded by canceled projects, including The Division Heartland and the short-lived release of XDefiant, which was shut down within a year of its launch. This barely scratches the surface of a truly tumultuous 12 months. However, hidden among the company's struggles was a spark of brilliance that’s easy to miss amidst the noise.
I’m talking about Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
The Game That Got Lost in the Shuffle
To be transparent, when The Lost Crown was first announced, it didn’t quite grab my attention. Initially, I viewed it as just another Metroidvania-style game, and the hope for a remake of Sands of Time occupied much of my thoughts. But after spending about 10-15 hours with the game, I found myself completely changing my tune. I was suddenly more eager for a follow-up to The Lost Crown than for any Sands of Time remake.
What caught me off guard was how much fun I had with the game’s engaging and smooth mechanics. The Lost Crown feels polished, with imaginative gameplay elements that breathe new life into a well-worn genre. The main character, Sargon, is charming and full of personality. The environments are beautifully designed, with vibrant cel-shaded visuals that create a visually stunning world. It feels fresh, something you wouldn’t typically expect from Ubisoft—especially considering the company’s recent focus on annual Assassin’s Creed releases and its reliance on aging business models like NFTs.
With an 86 Metacritic score, The Lost Crown stands as a rare bright spot for Ubisoft. It took home the “Innovation in Accessibility” award at The Game Awards 2024 and was also nominated for “Best Action/Adventure Game.” Though it may not have captured the lion’s share of awards, there’s no denying that this game marked the high point of Ubisoft’s year.
The Chances of a Sequel
Unfortunately, despite the acclaim and praise, The Lost Crown didn’t quite meet Ubisoft's lofty sales expectations. As of October 2024, it sold around a million copies—well below what the company had anticipated. This disappointing figure means that a sequel is likely off the table for now. While development teams behind The Lost Crown were moved to other projects, the sad truth is that we may never see a follow-up to this critically acclaimed title.
Looking forward to 2025, Ubisoft seems to be rethinking its approach, especially with the delays to Assassin’s Creed Shadow and changes to Far Cry 7’s gameplay formula. The studio will need to adapt in the coming year to shift both its approach to game development and its public image.
Even if The Lost Crown doesn’t get a sequel, it remains a memorable achievement for Ubisoft in an otherwise challenging year. I would highly recommend giving this hidden gem a try—who knows, perhaps someday it will gain enough momentum to spark a remaster or even a remake of its own.
What are your thoughts? Have you played The Lost Crown? Was it your favorite Ubisoft release of 2024? Do you think it deserves a sequel, or will it remain a one-time wonder? Share your opinions below.