Crafting a New Adventure: The Influence of Dead Cells on The Rogue Prince of Persia

Exploring the game development journey from Dead Cells to The Rogue Prince of Persia with insights from Evil Empire's developers.
Crafting a New Adventure: The Influence of Dead Cells on The Rogue Prince of Persia

Highlights

  • Combining Dead Cells' game feel with Prince of Persia acrobatics
  • Following in Dead Cells' footsteps with Early Access development
  • Iterative design and community feedback shaping The Rogue Prince of Persia

The Rogue Prince of Persia is an upcoming game that blends elements of traditional roguelikes with the iconic Prince of Persia series, offering challenging gameplay, a captivating progression system, and signature acrobatic platforming. Drawing from their experience on Dead Cells, the developers at Evil Empire are infusing this new adventure with familiar roguelike elements while staying true to the essence of Prince of Persia, creating a game that resonates with fans of both genres.

Game Rant had a chance to catch up with Lucie Dewagnier, game director, and Dylan Eurlings, art director of The Rogue Prince of Persia, to delve into how their work on Dead Cells influenced the development of this new game. They shared insights on retaining key aspects from Dead Cells while enhancing the beloved acrobatic movements and storytelling that define Prince of Persia.

The Fusion of Dead Cells' Gameplay Feel and Prince of Persia's Acrobatics

One of the standout features of Dead Cells is its exceptional "game feel," which captures the seamless connection between player actions and on-screen outcomes. The precise controls that enable high jumps, last-second grabs, and a brief window for mid-air maneuvers create an immersive experience where players feel in complete control. Translating this responsive gameplay to The Rogue Prince of Persia was a top priority for the team, emphasizing the importance of fluid acrobatics and tight controls.

The overarching aim was to replicate the engaging game feel of Dead Cells while incorporating the unique essence of Prince of Persia. In addition, the team recognized storytelling as a fundamental element of the Prince of Persia legacy, intertwining intricate narratives with parkour elements. While The Rogue Prince of Persia boasts a more complex storytelling approach compared to Dead Cells, the lessons learned from developing tight mechanics, immersive gameplay, and rich narratives in Dead Cells have been invaluable.

Continuing the Legacy: Early Access Evolution Inspired by Dead Cells

Dead Cells set a benchmark for Early Access roguelike games with its consistent and substantial updates, a tradition continued by Evil Empire post-launch. With a similar trajectory, The Rogue Prince of Persia is poised to follow suit, with Dewagnier expressing eagerness to iterate on the game in collaboration with the community.

Remaining flexible on the game's features, Evil Empire is open to refining the progression system based on player feedback, showcasing a commitment to enhancing the player experience. With a team known for enhancing already great games, The Rogue Prince of Persia promises to be a dynamic and engaging roguelike, set to make its mark as it gears up for Early Access in the coming month.