(On Sale) The Rogue Prince of Persia: A Roguelite Worth the Runs?
Evil Empire's roguelite take on Prince of Persia mixes wall-running parkour with fast combat and over 100 weapons and medallions. Here is who will love the loop and who may tire of it.
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What we liked
- Fluid wall-running and acrobatic parkour that feels true to the series
- Over 100 weapons and medallions to unlock and combine
- Procedurally generated levels keep runs varied
- A redemption story with multiple possible outcomes
- Now available as a physical Switch release
The catch
- Enemies can look alike and blur together
- Early areas lack variety until you have unlocked more
- The roguelite loop means a lot of dying and replaying
Pros, cons and our rating are Dealmynt's own editorial verdict — not customer ratings from any retailer.
Our full review
TL;DR: A slick, acrobatic roguelite that captures what makes Prince of Persia fun to move through, best for players who enjoy learning a game one failed run at a time.
Why it is worth a look right now
The Rogue Prince of Persia comes from Evil Empire, the studio known for its work on Dead Cells, and it has been steadily finding a bigger audience since landing on Nintendo hardware. It arrived digitally on Switch and Switch 2 in December 2025, and the physical edition followed in April 2026. With Prince of Persia getting fresh attention on Switch, it is a natural pick for fans looking for something fast and replayable.
What kind of game is it
This is a 2D action-platforming roguelite. You play a reckless young prince whose mistake brings an invading Hun army down on the city of Ctesiphon. Spared by death, you relive the attack again and again, using what you learn on each attempt to explore new paths, meet new characters, uncover secrets, and try to change your people's fate. The story leans into a satisfying arc about a cocky prince growing into a leader, and your choices can lead to different outcomes.
What it does well
Movement is the star. Wall-running, dodging traps, and chaining acrobatic attacks together feel fast and stylish, and they make the game feel like Prince of Persia rather than a generic action game. Hidden parkour challenges reward you with perks that help you push deeper into each run.
Build variety is the other big draw. There are over 100 weapons and medallions to discover, unlock, and upgrade, so you can tailor each run to your playstyle. Levels are procedurally generated, and random events and difficulty modifiers keep things from getting predictable. Reviewers note that each run feels like genuine progress, since you can upgrade gear or trade for new items as you go.
The downsides
Not every review has been glowing. One common criticism is enemy design: many of the Hun enemies share a similar look, which can make it hard to tell what kind of attack is coming until it hits you. Some reviewers also found the early areas less varied than other games in the genre, with the real variety only opening up after many hours of unlocking upgrades. That can make it easier to put down than the very best roguelites.
And as with any roguelite, dying is part of the design. If repeating sections over and over sounds frustrating rather than fun, this probably is not the right fit.
Who should buy it
It is a great pick for fans of Dead Cells and other action roguelites, Prince of Persia fans who loved the series' acrobatics, and anyone who wants a game they can pick up for a quick run on a handheld.
Who should skip it
If you want a longer, handcrafted adventure with a traditional story structure, The Lost Crown is the better Prince of Persia pick. Players who dislike repetition or permadeath style loops should also pass.
The bottom line
The Rogue Prince of Persia nails the feel of the series and gives you plenty of tools to experiment with. It takes a while to fully open up, but for roguelite fans, the runs are worth it.
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