A Royal Deal for a Crown Jewel

Welcome back to Cup of Coffee or Game, where we find those incredible gaming gems that cost less than your daily artisan latte + a really good tip. This week, we’re diving into one of the most surprising deals on the Nintendo eShop: Prince of Persiafor just $13.99 (until September 11) – an absolute steal for a game that represents some of Ubisoft’s finest work in years .

I’ve spent the past week immersed in the mystical world of Mount Qaf, and I’m here to tell you why this game deserves both your time and your coffee money. At 65% off, you’re getting a premium Metroidvania experience that typically costs $50, making this one of the best value propositions on the Switch right now.

Gameplay That Reigns Supreme

Combat Excellence

The Lost Crown delivers what might be the most satisfying combat system I’ve experienced in a 2D action game since Hollow Knight. You play as Sargon, a young warrior from an elite group called The Immortals, and from the moment you pick up those dual blades, you’ll feel the precision and fluidity of every movement.

The combat system often moves at an almost breakneck pace, requiring you to read enemy movements, parry attacks, and create devastating combos. What starts as simple sword slashes evolves into an elegant dance of aerial maneuvers, time-based powers, and special abilities that made me feel like a Persian ninja-god hybrid. The parry mechanic is particularly crucial – well-timed blocks can trigger instant kill animations on regular enemies and deal massive damage to bosses .

Table: Combat Mechanics Overview

Mechanic	Function	Utility
Parry	Deflect attacks at precise moment	Charges Athra Gauge, triggers counters
Athra Surges	Special abilities powered by combat	Healing fields, powerful attacks, crowd control
Time Powers	Manipulate time for combat and movement	Platforming assistance, combat positioning
Air Combos	Attack chains while airborne	Juggle enemies, avoid ground attacks

Precision Platforming

The platforming in The Lost Crown is consistently excellent, walking the perfect line between challenging and frustrating. You’ll navigate treacherous traps, spike pits, and environmental hazards using Sargon’s growing arsenal of movement abilities, including an air dash, double jump, and eventually a game-changing shadow clone that lets you teleport to marked spots .

The game handles failure with grace – when you miss a jump or fall into spikes, you’re instantly reset to the last solid ground with minimal punishment, keeping the flow going without the frustration of long load times or losing significant progress .

Exploration and the Brilliant Map System

Mount Qaf is a massive, interconnected world filled with secrets, side quests, and collectibles. The map design is pure Metroidvania excellence, with areas gated by abilities you’ll acquire as you progress, encouraging backtracking and exploration.

The game’s most innovative feature is its Memory Shard system, which allows you to take screenshots of puzzles or unreachable areas and pin them directly to your map. This eliminated the need for external notes or remembering every mystery I encountered, and it’s a feature I desperately want in every exploration game moving forward .

Visuals and Performance on Switch

I’m continually amazed that the Switch can handle games this beautiful while maintaining smooth performance. The Lost Crown runs at a silky-smooth 60fps on Nintendo’s hybrid console, whether you’re playing docked or in handheld mode . The art style blends 2.5D environments with hand-drawn character designs that pop with personality, and the Persian-inspired architecture creates stunning backdrops that give each area its own identity.

The attention to detail is remarkable – from bugs scuttling in the foreground to massive statues frozen in time in the background, the world feels alive and mysterious. Enemy designs range from human soldiers to mythological creatures from Persian lore, each with distinct attack patterns and personalities .

Story and Characters: A Simple But Engaging Tale

The narrative follows Sargon and his fellow Immortals as they pursue the kidnapped Prince Ghassan to the cursed Mount Qaf, where time behaves strangely. While the plot doesn’t break new ground (rescue mission with twists), it’s executed with enough charm and conviction to keep you engaged throughout the 20-25 hour adventure .

The character dynamics among The Immortals provide some standout moments, though the female characters unfortunately get sidelined compared to their male counterparts . Where the story truly shines is in how it incorporates Persian mythology and folklore, introducing players to creatures and gods that haven’t been overexposed in popular media.

Content and Value: A King’s Ransom for Coffee Money

Even at full price, The Lost Crown would offer exceptional value, but at $13.99, it’s an absolute no-brainer for Metroidvania fans. My playthrough took approximately 22 hours to complete the main story while tackling numerous side quests, and completionists can expect 30+ hours to find every secret and upgrade .

The game also features impressive accessibility options, including multiple difficulty settings that can be fine-tuned individually (you can adjust parry windows, enemy damage, and even skip challenging platforming sections if you’re stuck). This makes the experience welcoming to players of all skill levels .

Table: Content Breakdown

Content Type	Estimated Hours	Description
Main Story	16-20 hours	Primary campaign and critical path
Main + Sides	20-25 hours	Story with substantial side content
Completionist	30+ hours	All collectibles, upgrades, and secrets
Replay Value	Additional 15-20 hours	Higher difficulties, achievement hunting

The Verdict: A Persian Feast for the Price of a Snack

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown isn’t just one of the best Metroidvania games in years – it’s a triumphant return for a beloved franchise that had been dormant for too long. Ubisoft Montpellier has crafted an experience that honors the series’ roots while innovating in all the right places, from the brilliant Memory Shard system to the satisfying combat that blends melee action with time-manipulation powers.

At $13.99 (65% off until September 11), this offers substantially more value than most full-priced games and represents one of the best deals currently available on the Nintendo eShop. Whether you’re a longtime Prince of Persia fan or new to the series, this is an adventure that deserves a spot in your Switch library.

Final Score: 9/10 – Amazing

Pros:

• Tight, satisfying combat with depth
• Excellent platforming with instant respawns
• Innovative map and photo system
• Beautiful art style and smooth performance on Switch
• Exceptional value at sale price

Cons:

• Story takes few narrative risks
• Female characters underutilized
• Some backtracking can feel repetitive

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have more mysterious chambers to explore in Mount Qaf. Until next time, keep your coffee hot and your game library full of bargains!

What are your thoughts on Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown? Have you picked it up during the sale? Let us know in the comments below!