Several Metroidvania tropes are effectively demonstrated in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. What truly stands out is how adaptable numerous games can be to the 2D or 2.5D side-scrolling genre. While Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown might not revolutionize the space, its iteration on the franchise within this genre is commendable.
The Lost Crown embodies the essence of an excellent Prince of Persia game. Its platforming is pivotal, as wall-running and similar traversal methods translate seamlessly to a Metroidvania with structured environments, offering platforming options reminiscent of games like Blasphemous 2 or Metroid Dread. The influences peppered throughout reinforce its transition to the genre. It would be exciting to witness God of War embark on a similar journey, albeit highly improbable.
Is God of War Prepared for the Metroidvania Leap?
Inspiration from Prince of Persia's Transition to Metroidvania
God of War underwent a major transformation with its fourth mainline entry in 2018, embracing an over-the-shoulder camera and intricate combat systems. The cinematic direction with a one-shot camera has strengthened its storytelling emphasis, but there is potential to further expand movement fluidity for both Kratos and Atreus.
While Prince of Persia's last game was released over a decade ago and its reinvention was well-received, God of War could find it advantageous to explore its own Metroidvania.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Paves the Way for God of War
Transitioning God of War's Hack-'n-Slash Legacy to Metroidvania
Remaking the original God of War games as Metroidvanias would be intriguing but potentially disappointing for fans of the nostalgic hack-'n-slash genre. Instead, a new God of War installment set in a different timeline, behaving as a spin-off, could be more appealing. A God of War Metroidvania, adopting the art style of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, could be phenomenal, especially with Ragnarok's traversal methods and more being integrated.
God of War could feature similar hack-'n-slash combat as The Lost Crown and even revisit its roots, utilizing the Blades of Chaos to reach distant ledges and platforms. Depending on its timeline and mythology, it could employ various weapons and items to enhance gameplay. Transitioning from God of War's traditional hack-'n-slash to a Metroidvania would have been simpler, but the potential popularity of the former as a one-off from Santa Monica remains uncertain.
PlayStation's first-party games seem to be influenced by the roguelike genre, and if Metroidvanias gain similar popularity, a venture into this genre could be on the horizon. Additionally, The Lost Crown illustrates how impressive it would be to experience God of War's colossal boss fight spectacles in the same space.