I enjoyed watching this review a lot, it's been a few years since I played a PoP game and as a big fan of the series this review made me want to go back and play through them all again. So I did.
I have to say I'm actually very surprised Yahtzee holds the first game in such a higher regard than the second. I personally think that the Warrior Within made massive steps forward and blew Sands of Time out of the water, which in itself is very impressive because Sands of Time is an awesome game. Here are my reasons why I think Warrior Within is superior:
1. Massively improved combat. Thought I'd get the obvious one out of the way first, we all know this is the best change.
2a. The game has attitude. The Prince in Sands of Time was somewhat of a whining, sarcastic know-it-all. His light-hearted approach was humorous at times but to me it didn't really fit the bill of a sword-wielding hero slashing sand zombies to death. In Warrior Within, the Prince is darker, moodier and more aggressive. Conversation is short and to the point. I agree there are no relationships of note that have had much thought put in to them - but does there need to be?
2b. Part of the reason the game has attitude - the score is superb. The heavy guitar music suits the game perfectly and fight scenes kick ass because of it. Does anybody else feel genuinely exhilerated when running from the Dahaka? It's one of the most exciting moments in any game I've played running away from the giant beast, knowing you have to time every jump and run to pefection else he'll catch you. I love those chases. Plus the Godsmack music works beautifully in tandem.
3. The Dahaka represents a genuine bad-guy! Let's face it, that Vizier bloke (who was a blatant rip-off of Jafar from Aladdin by the way) was hardly a worth adversary was he? He appears, what, twice in the entire game? And we're supposed to feel like the final fight with him means anything? Going mano-a-mano with the Dahakta on that massive platform suspended in mid-air was great!
4. Much better puzzles. The game is still entirely linear but there are moments when it's not entirely clear where to go. The first time I played the game I got lost in the first clock tower. It's frustrating but it's fun too, Sands of Time felt like my hand was being held the entire time to make sure I didn't take a wrong turn.
5. More boss fights! And sort of mini boss fights too. Because everyone loves a good boss fight.
So in summary, I agree with Yahtzee's points about characterisation to an extent, though I think the new tone actually suits the game slightly better, and I don't think you can let this detract from the absolutely superb gameplay.
I have to say I'm actually very surprised Yahtzee holds the first game in such a higher regard than the second. I personally think that the Warrior Within made massive steps forward and blew Sands of Time out of the water, which in itself is very impressive because Sands of Time is an awesome game. Here are my reasons why I think Warrior Within is superior:
1. Massively improved combat. Thought I'd get the obvious one out of the way first, we all know this is the best change.
2a. The game has attitude. The Prince in Sands of Time was somewhat of a whining, sarcastic know-it-all. His light-hearted approach was humorous at times but to me it didn't really fit the bill of a sword-wielding hero slashing sand zombies to death. In Warrior Within, the Prince is darker, moodier and more aggressive. Conversation is short and to the point. I agree there are no relationships of note that have had much thought put in to them - but does there need to be?
2b. Part of the reason the game has attitude - the score is superb. The heavy guitar music suits the game perfectly and fight scenes kick ass because of it. Does anybody else feel genuinely exhilerated when running from the Dahaka? It's one of the most exciting moments in any game I've played running away from the giant beast, knowing you have to time every jump and run to pefection else he'll catch you. I love those chases. Plus the Godsmack music works beautifully in tandem.
3. The Dahaka represents a genuine bad-guy! Let's face it, that Vizier bloke (who was a blatant rip-off of Jafar from Aladdin by the way) was hardly a worth adversary was he? He appears, what, twice in the entire game? And we're supposed to feel like the final fight with him means anything? Going mano-a-mano with the Dahakta on that massive platform suspended in mid-air was great!
4. Much better puzzles. The game is still entirely linear but there are moments when it's not entirely clear where to go. The first time I played the game I got lost in the first clock tower. It's frustrating but it's fun too, Sands of Time felt like my hand was being held the entire time to make sure I didn't take a wrong turn.
5. More boss fights! And sort of mini boss fights too. Because everyone loves a good boss fight.
So in summary, I agree with Yahtzee's points about characterisation to an extent, though I think the new tone actually suits the game slightly better, and I don't think you can let this detract from the absolutely superb gameplay.
