14. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time - PS2/GCN/XBOX

Like Soul Calibur II, the fact that this was a multi-platformer and was also stellar really impressed me. Prince of Persia was an old computer game, later ported to systems like the SNES, that was psychotically hard and all in all, pretty terrible. The fact that a game 15 years after the release of the original, bearing the same moniker, could not only be a great game, but bring a new spin to the tired genre of platform games, easily earns this title a spot on the list.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a platform game that focuses on puzzle solving elements. Players can freeze time for short bursts, and while that simple mechanism may seem gimmicky, it remains fresh the entire game, and is used to great effect on any number of complex puzzles throughout the adventure. Controls are very fluid, which is impressive considering the complex wall running and jumping required to complete the game. In most games, the maneuvers players are asked to perform would be nearly impossible and tremendously frustrating, with the standard in controls and cameras in 3D environments not being very high. PoP rises well above the norm in this respect. There’s combat in the game too, which is generally forgettable but unobtrusive. It can’t be said enough: this game has clever, unique, and genuinely engaging puzzle solving rarely found anywhere west of Hyrule.

This game should be a lesson to developers – this is how you take advantage of a licenced product. Just the announcement of the game got heads turning, based on the nostalgia factor of the name. Ubisoft stepped up to the plate, creating a game with wide appeal, blending familiarity and unique challenges nicely. Complaints surrounded the game’s initial release, with some disappointed in the games below-average difficulty level. It’s not that I disagree – this game isn’t very tough – but it’s not supposed to be hard. Not punishingly hard, anyways. Some of the puzzles are genuine brain-teasers, and while you won’t have much trouble with enemies in the game, it’s impossible not to become highly engaged in the richness of play The Sands of Time delivers.