u/Chondontore

I'll be going to my first ever music festival this weekend (Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus, Ohio). I've never seen any of the bands that are going to be there (though I have plenty that I want to see). Is anyone else going and does anyone have any recommendations for bands that'll be there? I'll only be there on Friday and Saturday.

I'm currently playing through every PoP game for the first time. Game #3 on this journey was The Forgotten Sands (Steam version), and I've officially rolled credits after about 7ish hours.

I loved how deliberate the movement in this game felt. Having a dedicated wall-run button was weird to me for a while, but I liked the extra challenge it provided. The design of these levels also rewarded thinking ahead. There were a lot of times I would charge into an obstacle without thinking about it (something I could easily do in PoP 2008) and have to burn through some energy rewinding time. Stopping, surveying the upcoming obstacle, then executing it was very satisfying.

The setpieces in this game are also phenomenal. In particular, I loved >! The final platforming segment where pieces of the palace are flying at you from all angles. It wasn't particularly challenging or mechanically intensive, but the spectacle of it had me smiling throughout !<

Unfortunately, this is where most of my praises for it end. The story is pretty boring, and the characters aren't interesting. The relationship between Malik and the Prince could've been better elaborated, and Razia's history with Ratash and the Djinn could've been better developed. Also >! was the post credits monologue trying to setup a sequel or something? That was a really weird way to end the game !<

The combat grew stale quickly, and the upgrade tree is ultimately kind of pointless. I played the challenge mode (defeat 8 waves of enemies) and beat it first try. Maybe there's some fun to be had trying to beat the waves faster.... but it's not for me. The best part of the combat was the dash move that let's you cover a gap/distance and plow over an enemy when you land. I wish that more of the abilities had both platforming AND combat applications.

This entry fell flat in quite a few places, but the platforming and setpieces were an easy high point for me. This must've been a hard game to "end" the series on before the most recent revival with Lost Crown. That wait must've been excruciating for those into the series at the time.

Thanks for coming on this journey with me! Which game should I play next on this marathon?

#1 The Rogue PoP

#2 PoP 2008

#3 The Forgotten Sands (Steam)

#4 ???

I'm currently playing through every PoP game for the first time. Game #3 on this marathon is The Forgotten Sands.

Im about 3-4ish hours in and this one isnt impressing me as much as the others so far.

Coming off the heels of my playthrough of PoP 2008, this Prince is laughably boring. It feels like the Prince is just there to tell me what's going on and occasionally shout "Malik!"

The other realm the Prince visits feels kinda pointless, and Razia is.... just another plot device? Idk, the story just ain't doing it for me so far.

The parkour is still fun as ever. It took a while to get used to having a dedicated wall-run button (as opposed to just being able to jump at a wall) but I'm enjoying how deliberate every move feels. I still die every once in a while pressing jump instead of wall-run when hanging on a ledge. Some of the setpieces the Prince jumps through are quite neat too (the tower with the moving ledges and the big astronomy machine thingy come to mind).

The combat is a nice pace breaker, but feels like its not going to get any more interesting. Slaying hoards of enemies is a kind of mindless pleasure that I can't complain about too much, but at times I just wish I was platforming instead of fighting.

At least some of the movement upgrades have been neat so far. The ice freezing mechanic is fun, and the enemy charge move is very satisfying to use.

I'm hoping the story picks up and that the movement upgrades continue to be interesting.

Thanks for coming on this journey with me.