System: Wii, PSP
Dev: Ubisoft Montreal
Pub: Ubisoft
Release: April 3, 2007
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: Teen
Review by Maria Montoro

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

The graphics haven't changed at all and neither has the soundtrack. The Two Thrones was originally designed with Progressive Scan support (480p), and it remained that way. I played the Two Thrones on a standard TV with standard RCA cables. I've played Rival Swords on an HD TV with component (RGB) cables. The difference is noticeable but not spectacular. The Prince of Persia: Rival Swords is a high quality, last generation game ported to a next generation console.

Don't expect magnificent graphics but instead wonderful gameplay, extraordinary level design, great scenarios, and quite good visuals. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was a game that somewhat demonstrated the graphics potential of the Wii and we won't see a game that looks like that for a while. My guess is Metroid Prime 3: Corruption will be the first game that will truly demonstrate what kind of graphics the Wii is capable of rendering. So don't be surprised or disappointed by the mediocre look of the Prince on the Wii. Just enjoy the game for what it is: a port of a great, "last-gen" title.

Although barely anything has changed in the visuals department, the game lost some of its light gore action. When you kill enemies you won't see much blood and you won't hear it splatter against the floor. Many times you won't even see the final killing move. Because of this, killing enemies is not as rewarding as it used to be on previous Prince of Persia installments. There is an explanation to this: the reason why they ported the game to the Wii is obviously to make some extra revenue, but the Two Thrones was an "M" rated game (as in Mature). The bloodiness and the "M" rating could lower the number of sales, especially if the game's topic is otherwise suitable for younger ages. By "censoring" the game's most violent aspects, they gained a "T" rating (as in Teen) for the Prince of Persia: Rival Swords. Now more people can have access to the game and invest on it. I personally liked the Two Thrones more, although not that much more.

Since the music hasn't changed, there's nothing to criticize here. The Prince of Persia: Rival Swords soundtrack is really good, with that "Arabian Nights" influence that turns the game and every motion of it into an enchanting and submerging experience. It makes it more real and, at the same time, more fantasy. It's just the perfect soundtrack for a game like this. The sound effects are equally outstanding, nothing annoying or disproportioned here. The voice-over is good. The Prince has a nice, credible voice that makes him sound like a quite intelligent person; it transmits his thoughts and feelings with ease. Kaileena is supposedly narrating the story, with her sensual, interesting voice. She does get slightly repetitive when you go to a save point and she says: "Shall I continue from here when you return?" and things like that.

No extras have been added whatsoever, and they were already short on that before. The only unlockables available are a few pictures and game art, along with some cutscenes. You'll unlock these by earning sand credits found in hidden treasure chests within the game.

If you read what I said you all know the conclusion by now: Did you play the Two Thrones before? You can probably save the $50 for the next game, as the only thing that has been changed from the Two Thrones is the controls, which now imply swing the Wii-mote and Nunchuk as a sword; if you haven't played the Two Thrones and enjoy platforming mixed with fighting and puzzles, don't miss this game; it's a true masterpiece.

By Maria Montoro
CCC Co-Site Director

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