Publisher: Ubisoft Price: £49.99 Format: Xbox 360 Age rating: 12+ AIMING to recapture the athletic charm and deadly swordplay that graced the original game almost 20 years ago, this latest Prince of Persia reboot is a riotous return to form. Its dashing

Publisher: Ubisoft

Price: £49.99

Format: Xbox 360

Age rating: 12+

AIMING to recapture the athletic charm and deadly swordplay that graced the original game almost 20 years ago, this latest Prince of Persia reboot is a riotous return to form.

Its dashing royal adventurer is as nimble and graceful as ever, while the scale and ambition of the animation is simply breathtaking.

Rooted in ancient Persian mythology, the game begins with a swashbuckling hero returning from his worldly adventures. As a sandstorm erupts around him, he is transported to a magical oasis where he witnesses the destruction of the ancient Tree of Life. As a result, the god of darkness is released from his prison and everything is covered in a thick black slime. To help restore the landscape to its usual green loveliness the erstwhile hero has to visit each infected area and ultimately defeat the lord of darkness and his minions.

Teaming up with Elika, a magical sidekick, the prince has to explore four vast areas, cleansing the ground of the swirling black gunk and engaging demonic warriors in cinematic swordfights. It is all good fun, but the battles are let down by an unimaginative selection of combos and one too many quick-time events. Fortunately, the climbing, jumping and exploring aspects of the game are as impressive as ever, with the prince's free-running athleticism tested to the full.

In an interesting twist, it is almost impossible for your character to die. Fall off a cliff, for example, and Elika is on hand to return you to terra firma. Likewise in battle, if it looks like you are going to receive a fatal blow, she will intervene at a critical point to help you out. At times she is like an over-attentive mother, wiping snot from your chin with a hanky when it is not really necessary, but it certainly beats having to restart a level each time you come a cropper.

Visually, Prince of Persia is outstanding. You will spend much of the game simply gazing at the spectacular scenery and panoramic views. With more downloadable content promised for early next year, we can hardly wait.