If you thought Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was a tough nut to crack, think again. The Mask of Darkness DLC ups the game by plunging players into an even more challenging world, stripping away many of the protagonist Sargon’s hard-earned powers and throwing him into a nightmarish realm of platforming perils. So, is this extra slice of Persian mayhem worth the return to Mount Qaf? Let’s dive in.
A new story
The story picks up deep into the base game, with the shadowy assassin Radjen finally taking center stage. After haunting you throughout The Lost Crown, she now traps Sargon in a twisted alternate dimension, a “Mind Palace” born from her own tragic past. This setting adds a fresh, eerie vibe, reusing some familiar areas like a warped version of Mount Qaf, but twisting them into something darker and more menacing.
The core challenge of the DLC comes from one painful twist: Sargon starts out depowered. Gone are the double jumps and extra health upgrades you took for granted in the main game. You’re left with minimal tools and must fight, dash, and wall-run your way through Radjen’s cruel playground to restore your strength. This forced reset initially feels like a brutal gut-punch, but it eventually brings a level of satisfaction once you master the streamlined abilities and start reclaiming your power.
Time to platform
If you loved the tough-as-nails platforming from The Lost Crown, then Mask of Darkness will feel like a homecoming. The DLC spices things up even more when it comes to the heart-pounding platform challenges, demanding precise jumps, timely dashes, and quick reflexes. It’s a test of skill and patience, with new mechanics like Radjen’s omnipresent eye, which forces you to redo sections if it touches you. Frustrating? Sometimes. Rewarding? Absolutely; especially for those who relish a challenge.
However, this DLC isn’t just about making you sweat. It introduces a couple of new medallions that offer significant power boosts, providing some much-needed help as you slog through the tougher sections. These medallions can even be carried back into the base game, offering extra motivation to complete the content.
While Mask of Darkness throws you into Radjen’s mind and provides a bit more backstory for this enigmatic assassin, the narrative remains somewhat thin. There are hints of tragedy behind Radjen’s madness, but the story’s abrupt shifts feel a little underdeveloped. For a character who has loomed so large over The Lost Crown, her story doesn’t quite deliver the emotional punch you might expect. Still, it’s enough to justify the journey through her personal nightmare.
Combat takes a backseat
In contrast to the base game’s balance of combat and platforming, Mask of Darkness leans heavily into platforming and puzzle-solving. Combat encounters are less frequent, and the few enemies you face require precise parries rather than frantic button-mashing. For some, this might feel like a missed opportunity; after all, The Lost Crown had fluid, satisfying combat. But the shift in focus allows the platforming to shine, pushing you to master the game’s movement mechanics.
Clocking in at around 3-5 hours depending on your skill level, Mask of Darkness doesn’t overstay its welcome. The difficulty spike might feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’ve been away from the game for a while. But the DLC offers a compact and satisfying challenge that will delight fans of the base game’s mechanics. And for just $4.99, it’s hard to argue against the value.
Sure, the story doesn’t revolutionize the Prince of Persia lore, and some of the new mechanics (like Radjen’s pesky eye) can feel more annoying than fun. But if you’re in it for the platforming and the thrill of mastering those impossibly tight jumps and dashes, Mask of Darkness delivers without a doubt.
Conclusion:
Mask of Darkness doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does exactly what a good DLC should: it offers a fresh, challenging experience that builds on the core strengths of the base game. The stripped-back powers and heightened difficulty might feel cruel at first, but they’re a reminder of what made The Lost Crown so compelling. If you’re ready to face Radjen and prove your platforming prowess one last time, this DLC is well worth the ride back into the shadows.
