Prince of Persia Classic confirmed for XBLA

[Brats]

I finished this last night. I haven't had any issues with the controls. It works just like it used to and in the same way as the old Tomb Raider, you press the button one step before you need to do the action.

I tried studying the combat to work out if there was some kind of system with the stances. In the end I worked out it is very simple. It's all about timing, but the timing is brutal. You can block every attack, but you need to be very fast on the buttons.

Hats off to anyone who gets 200 points on this though (that survival achievement is horrible).

[Lyris]

I tried studying the combat to work out if there was some kind of system with the stances. In the end I worked out it is very simple. It's all about timing, but the timing is brutal. You can block every attack, but you need to be very fast on the buttons.

The biggest thing about the combat I think is patience. It's tempting to run in there and stick it to 'em but you really need to watch their attack patterns and block, block, block, attack and hope you get it.

And when you're repeatedly dying over and over again you end up losing patience (well, I do) and that actually makes you do worse.

[Jebus]

Finished this just now, those last two achievements can go bugger themselves!! The last few levels were lessons in frustration, and that last boss

Will probably never play it again, which is my biggest complaint about the live arcade in general

[elkatas]

I love it when it completely ignores a button press and instead of jumping, just runs off a ledge...

That sounds exactly like original Prince of Persia.

[Geoff D]

Love the platforming (as ever), hate the combat - far too random & annoying; the frame advantage attack that guards seem to have has been designed to relieve me of my already rapidly disappearing hair.

Still, it all looks very nice - perhaps they'll work on a fresh sequel with digital control & use of the sands of time. I'd love that.

[Friction]

Not sure if it helps but instead of pressing the button to parry in combat you can actually also press UP on the dpad - this tends to work much quicker, and you can free your finger ready to ATTACK!

Combat IS bastard hard though at times, so any help is good help

[Yoshimax]

I felt like the combat was almost starting to click yesterday - what I loathe is when they block your strike and counterblow - this was the bane of my combat :

Wait for them to attack, hit A to parry, hit x to attack, they parry and counter hit me.

I've realised now that after hitting x to attack it's worth giving the A button a flick as well as you'll counter their counter - Timing is a ****ter and sometimes it cancels your strike even though the opponent is open but it's saved me a ****load of energy now.

[Kotatsu Neko]

I'm starting to get used to the combat in this too, using the attack then immediately block technique. It works some of the time, but I still find the battles annoying and too frequent. The platforming is the fun part for me.

[Brats]

The way I got the hang of the combat was this. Approach an enemy and hold A to block. As soon as the enemy starts his attack motion, let go of A and press X. You will still block the attack and return with an almost instant counterattack.

The exact frame that your sword makes contact (either it is blocked or ir hits) hit A again to block the possible counter attack coming back at you.

Once you get the rhythmn, you can build up some good rallies. I found moving my index and middle finger over the buttons made it easier than just using my thumb.

[Charlie]

Finally decided to unlock the full version last night. The platforming bits are sublime but, like many others, I'm finding the combat hugely frustrating, infuriatingly random and much more difficult than I remember.

[Goemon]

For 90% of the battles I'd just switch sides, back away, put my sword away and run off! You rarely have to go back the way you came.

Best way to get the swtich sides is to be standing right on top of them, as close as you can get.

There are points where you have to stand and fight tho. I found in those situations to block/dodge a fair few attacks before taking a swipe...Seems to work better for not getting countered.

[Charlie]

Nice one, I'll give that a go.

[Charlie]

That switching sides during combat then sheathing the sword and running off worked a treat, and I cruised through the game after that.

Pity the Survivor achievement is so difficult, definately can't see myself getting it.