Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (Mobile)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Greg Kasavin
• Reviewed on: 01/11/2006
• Updated on: 06/25/2007
• Released on: 12/02/2005
• Originally published on GameSpot: Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (Mobile) Review

The swashbuckling Arabian prince returns in the mobile version of Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, an exciting but brief side-scrolling action game. Much like its console and PC counterparts, this game features a good balance of acrobatic platform-jumping and swordplay; it also lets you control both the noble prince himself, as well as his sinister counterpart, who's got his own set of moves and abilities. Thankfully, the two difficulty settings and a survival mode help make up for the brevity of The Two Thrones' seven levels.

Though this is the third game in the series, The Two Thrones is light enough on storyline that you don't need to be familiar with its predecessors to get what's going on. Apparently, the anonymous prince is trying to save his kingdom from the clutches of an evil vizier. He's trying to save his populace while he's at it, but when he literally encounters his dark side, his mean-spirited counterpart suggests that the only meaningful victory is the vizier's defeat--populace be damned. The occasional bits of story help move the action along, but it's mostly just a setup to have the prince run, jump, swing, and slash around Persian cityscapes.

The Two Thrones is designed and structured much like some of Gameloft's other side-scrolling action games, so you'll see a lot of nifty moves and context-sensitive animations happen automatically as you make your way around each level. Run into a wall and the Prince will automatically try to run up over it. He'll grab ledges, chains, and ropes if you jump toward them; he'll automatically slash enemies he's about to land on; and he'll triangle-jump off of some walls without your input. He'll also pull off lots of fancy sword combos and finishing moves as you hammer on the 5 key. While a lot of the animations are actually rather choppy, it's still cool to see the Prince in action, and the controls are generally responsive and easy to use, at least on our Sony Ericsson S710a handset. At times the game feels like it's playing itself, but in general, the side-scrolling action in the mobile version of The Two Thrones succeeds at giving you the sense that you're controlling a powerful, extremely athletic warrior.

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