The Ubisoft Forward showcase told us much about the upcoming Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake. It’s been a couple of years since Ubisoft Montreal took over the reins, and we finally got a tiny morsel of info at the recent showcase.
We didn’t see any actual gameplay footage (bummer, I know), but Ubisoft dropped a brief teaser trailer that teased a 2026 release. Yeah, it’s a bit of a wait, but patience, my friends.
Creative Director Bio Jade Adam Granger laid out their strategy with four pillars: “sanctify, respect, modernize, and add.” It’s a delicate balance of keeping iconic elements while bringing fresh life into the game. Granger gave us some deets, saying, “We have things that are staying as-is, like the wall run, which is so iconic that we will try to match it as much as we can. The dagger as well.”
They’re tweaking stuff like level design and the scale of the world. Granger added, “We modernize stuff like the level design, for example, and enhance the scale of the world. We also vary challenge a bit more.” So, expect a blend of the old and new, with more accessibility options for good measure.
Now, let’s talk about the Palace of Azad. Granger is super stoked about this, saying, “We have multiplied the scale and the wonder of that place. It is larger than life, at the edge of fantasy.” They’re aiming for a “poetic odyssey” vibe, with visuals and music that transport you straight into that mystical world.
Game Director Michael McIntyre also highlighted how the palace will have an “increased sense of connectivity.” He explained, “As a good example, one of the things that players are experiencing now in our game is a sense of vertigo, because of the scope of the castle.”
Combat is another area that’s getting a makeover. McIntyre acknowledged that the original combat might feel a bit dated now. “Combat in games like Prince of Persia has advanced a lot in the 21 years since that game,” he noted. They’re drawing inspiration from games like Dark Souls and God of War to modernize the combat experience while keeping iconic moves intact.
So, what do you think about this? Let us know in the comments below!
