The Prince returns - only this time around he's not quite himself...

Currently in development for the Playstation2, Xbox, GameCube and PC, Prince of Persia 3 is set to appease fans of both of its distinctly different predecessors by merging the best bits from Sands of Time and Warrior Within, along with adding plenty of unexpected twists and the typical talent, vision and ingenuity that we’ve come to expect from Ubisoft.

The story picks off with the Prince’s return from the Island of Time to Babylon, back with his love, Kaileena. However upon his arrival, instead of the peace that he longs for, the Prince discovers a homeland ravaged by war and the kingdom turned against him. Quickly caught, Kaileena has no choice but to sacrifice herself and unleash the Sands of Time to save the Prince.

Cast out on the streets and hunted as a fugitive, the Prince discovers that the past has given rise to a deadly Dark Prince, whose spirit will gradually consume him.

Early details of the game suggest that the player will take control of both apparitions of the Prince, each with vastly different combat techniques, styles and attitudes. Naturally the Prince has benefited from the last time we saw him, with a variety of new moves such as strangling enemies from afar with the deadly new Daggertail manoeuvre or his new found stealth kill abilities.

Whereas previous PoP titles have deliberately been set within the constraints of a tight environment, Prince of Persia 3 broadens the game world considerably taking across the many locations of Babylon, dodging enemies on the rooftops, bustling through chaotic streets and ambushing rivals in dark underground passageways.

Prince of Persia 3 is scheduled for release during the second half of 2005; we’ll have a closer look from E3’05...