The Rogue Prince of Persia Exits Early Access with Full Launch

Following a 15-month early access period, The Rogue Prince of Persia has officially transitioned to its full 1.0 release on PC and console platforms, including its availability on Game Pass. This roguelite title, crafted by Evil Empire, plunges players into a world of fluid movement, high-octane combat, and challenging platforming sequences. The game’s distinctive visual style and animated character actions pay homage to classic PC titles while injecting a fresh, dynamic feel. The comprehensive launch introduces new environmental areas, the ultimate antagonist, and the culmination of the narrative, promising a complete experience for players.

Originally debuting in early access during May 2024, The Rogue Prince of Persia garnered positive reception even in its developmental stage. Its gameplay marries the graceful agility of the Prince with the replayability inherent in the roguelite genre. The combat is characterized by its intensity and precision, demanding strategic engagement from players, while the platforming elements are designed to test agility and spatial awareness. Visually, the game stands out with its intricate Eastern-inspired art direction, drawing comparisons to the polished aesthetics found in titles like Supergiant's offerings. The smooth character animations, featuring acrobatic maneuvers like backflips and cartwheels, elevate the kinetic energy of the experience, distinguishing it from more conventional modern 3D game designs.

The 1.0 update significantly expands the game world by adding the Port of Ctesiphon and the Besieged Palace as new playable environments, alongside the introduction of the final boss and the concluding chapter of the game's storyline. This marks a definitive shift from its early access status, indicating that the developers consider the core experience complete. Evil Empire has clarified that while minor patches for bug fixes will be released, the game is now in its finalized form. However, the studio has hinted at the possibility of future content updates should the game achieve widespread popularity, suggesting an openness to further development based on community engagement and commercial success.

Despite its critical acclaim and polished presentation, The Rogue Prince of Persia has not yet reached the commercial heights of genre titans such as Dead Cells or Hades 2, with a peak concurrent player count on Steam of 428. However, with its full 1.0 release and expansion to consoles, this could be a pivotal moment for the game to attract a larger audience. Evil Empire, known for its significant contributions to Dead Cells' post-launch downloadable content, encourages fans to monitor their social media for upcoming announcements, implying that new projects or developments may be on the horizon from the talented studio.

The full release of The Rogue Prince of Persia offers a definitive and polished experience, showcasing the developer's commitment to delivering a complete narrative and gameplay loop, while leaving room for potential future expansion based on community reception.