Prince of Persia: Warrior Within [PC]

The sequel to last year's critically successful, yet overlooked smash isn't a massive step forward for the action-adventure genre. Largely an upgrade on the original, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within is still one of the most polished and imaginative escapades we've played. Like a blockbuster movie, the tale delivers on almost every count from dazzling pyrotechnics to deft storytelling.

Whereas most titles opt for cliched plotlines, Ubisoft's adopts a professional approach which sucks the gamer right in. Told through stunning cinematic scenes and spoken dialogue, the star's saga picks up where it previously left off. Following the events depicted in the original, our hero is in a bind: Having unleashed the Sands of Time, Fate itself demands his death. In hopes of saving himself, the prince devises a plan to go back in time and destroy the grains before their power becomes manifest. Only one problem -- the Dahaka, a hulking brute which passes as Destiny's avatar -- quickly gives chase.

Beginning on a storm-tossed ship, the quest soon takes a turn for the worse. Set upon by horned horrors, you'll see man and monster meet with bloody results. Obviously designed with mature audiences in mind, Warrior Within is much grimmer than Sands of Time. Darker and more macabre, the game's heavy on gore, with beheadings, slit throats, and shredded torsos common. While the initial epic captured the splendor of ancient Arabia, the current episode explores the shadier side of its lands and mythology. Accordingly, the bare-shirted Prince we once again encounter is no noble regent; think a jaded, curse-spitting corsair instead.

But that doesn't mean you won't empathize with him... quite the opposite. Less unproven innocent than badass, he's the quintessential action hero. The guy's got some moves on him too, as the reams of combos you can pull up with a few quick button presses reveal. New tricks at your disposal include dual-weapon wielding, instant kills, projectile attacks, and the option to swing around poles or throw enemies into one another. Vaulting off adversaries is also a possibly, as is grabbing inhuman shields, stealing weapons, and sliding down curtains by shoving your sword into them. Charged attacks, spinning kicks, strategic assaults using secondary weapons such as axes, daggers, and maces swiped from fallen rivals... all are maneuvers you can access.

Fights benefits considerably from these upgrades. Although the most criticized area of the original, combat is now a highlight. Fluid as the system is, you'll have no trouble facing foes, which attack en masse. Creatures composed of living darkness, demon dogs, crows that combine to form shadowy swordsmen... myriad monstrosities bar the way forward. But with the help of a control scheme that lets you easily shift attention between assailants without breaking stride, it's no issue. Boss battles -- more common than before -- are very challenge, but persistence pays off.

Environments once again involve dodging buzzsaws, evading pole-mounted blades, somersaulting past spiked floors, and leaping over yawning chasms. Each area is one big scripted mindbender -- albeit the kind presented in jaw-dropping 3D -- so surmounting the challenges boils down to figuring out the one safe way through every area. And as long as you've got the patience, plus sound reflexes, sniffing it out is no problem.

The key is simply looking for the single option that won't result in certain death. Or will, but can be worked around using special powers which let you rewind or fast-forward time. Poles, platforms, ledges, outcroppings, switches -- it all looks imposing at first glance. Yet as you slowly wind your way through each, making a single move at a time, the next piece of the puzzle is soon revealed. It's a good thing for casual players, who'll appreciate the fact you seldom get stuck. Yet it's also a problem for hardcore enthusiasts, who won't appreciate how it detracts from the overall longevity.

Nobody will take issue with the presentation, though. Not only does the plot introduce several unforeseen twists, it's also complemented by brilliant audio-visuals. From water streaming in through breached hulls to subtle lighting effects and flames which flicker in the breeze, the graphic quality is superb. Ditto for character animation, as the hero and his nemeses all move with grace. Sound bytes (e.g. screams, screeching metal, hisses, crashes) will delight too. We eventually even came to dig the heavy metal remixes of traditional Middle Eastern music which play when the troublemakers approach. Given that the camera system's also improved somewhat -- love those landscape views, first-person perspective shots and instant centering options -- the title leaves a lasting impression.

Although it's not what you'd call the ultimate evolution of the series, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within is easily the franchise's best installment so far, and the sequel we'd all hoped for. Live it, love it, let it consume you this holiday season, and then do the smart thing -- start swamping Ubisoft with requests for a follow-up.