The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake, a highly anticipated project by Ubisoft, has been on a roller coaster ride of delays and development shifts. Originally announced in 2020 with a release window of January 2021, the game missed its initial deadline and faced several subsequent delays. This article will chronicle the journey of this remake, exploring the reasons behind its setbacks and providing insights into its uncertain future.
A Timeline of Delays
The initial release window of January 2021 was soon abandoned, and the game was pushed to March 18, 2021. However, this target date was also missed, with Ubisoft opting to remain ambiguous about the next release date. Despite an initial sense of optimism, the game’s development faced further delays, and Ubisoft announced in May 2022 that the game would not be released within the fiscal year of 2023. The reason? A significant change in development, shifting the project from the Ubisoft Pune and Ubisoft Mumbai teams to Ubisoft Montreal, the studio behind the original game.
The latest news, delivered via a post on X (formerly Twitter), positions the game for a release sometime before 2026. Whether this timeline holds true remains to be seen, leaving fans in a state of uncertainty.
Platforms and the Lack of Current-Gen Support
Unless the developer switch and extended delays usher in new platform announcements, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake might be in dire need of a second remake. It’s currently slated for release on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC, which might feel outdated considering the game’s long development cycle. With the advent of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, it would be reasonable to expect a port to current-gen consoles, even though backwards compatibility is available.
The Limited Trailer and Gameplay Glimpses
The only trailer released for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is the announcement trailer from 2020. This trailer showcases footage from the original game, with a new voiceover referencing the flow of time. It then transitions to new footage, showcasing a re-creation of an early scene from the original game where the prince utilizes the Dagger of Time to release the Sands of Time, transforming the city’s inhabitants into sand monsters.
The trailer provides glimpses of classic combat, traps, and parkour elements from the original game, including the iconic ability to rewind time using the dagger to rectify mistakes. Based on what’s been shown, the gameplay seems to remain faithful to the original, resembling a Demon’s Souls Remake in its approach. The prince’s fighting style, featuring flowing combos with sword and dagger, incorporates parkour and powerful sand-based moves. The movement also appears identical to the original, showcasing wall-running, climbing, and various acrobatic feats.
Ubisoft has confirmed that the game will offer two control schemes: a modern-style scheme and a classic scheme that emulates the original game’s controls. While nothing new has been revealed, fans can anticipate a faithful remake in terms of gameplay.
Pre-Order Status
In a surprising twist, pre-orders for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake were available until recently. However, with the latest delay announcement and studio switch, pre-orders have been delisted from retailers, and previous orders have been canceled. Ubisoft has yet to announce when pre-orders will become available again.
The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake remains an enigma. Its future is uncertain, and fans are left waiting with bated breath for any news regarding its release. Will this troubled remake ever see the light of day? Only time will tell.
