Part 32

Learn essential Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time controls for running, jumping, climbing, and combat. Master En Guarde mode and understand life bar mechanics.

Controls:

Movement:

• Run: Hold the LEFT or RIGHT button. Tapping moves Prince a short distance; holding makes him run continuously.
• Jump: Press UP and the direction you want to jump simultaneously.
• Extended Jump: Begin with a running start. When about one slab away from a ledge, while still holding the run button, press UP to jump a longer distance.
• Walk: Hold SHIFT while trying to run. This allows Prince to take cautious steps, useful for testing uncertain ground. Prince will initially show hesitation on dangerous surfaces, but will proceed normally if the action is repeated.
• Climb: Approach a ledge with another ledge above it. Hold UP when near the ledge; tapping makes Prince touch the edge, while holding makes him climb. Prince will automatically align himself to the ledge when UP is pressed if he is close enough.
• Hang: Hold SHIFT when near a ledge, especially after a jump. The duration of the hang depends on how long SHIFT is held, provided Prince remains motionless. Swinging while hanging has a time limit before Prince falls.

Environmental Hazards & Limitations:

• Drops: Prince can survive a 2-storey drop (losing one life bullet). A 3-storey or higher drop results in instant death.
• Running Jump: Requires at least 3 steps to build momentum; otherwise, Prince will just run off the ledge.

En Guarde Mode (Combat):

When Prince has a sword and confronts a guard, he automatically enters En Guarde mode for one-on-one combat. Normal moves are replaced by:

• UP button: Prince guards against an attack. Block an incoming strike and follow up with your own. Each block pushes Prince back slightly.
• DOWN button: Prince sheathes his sword, reverting to Neutral mode. If struck in Neutral mode, it is fatal. Use this to retreat from fights if at a safe distance.
• LEFT button: Prince moves one step to the left.
• RIGHT button: Prince moves one step to the right.
• Square button: Prince strikes with his sword. Guards may block attacks and counter. Blocking an enemy's strike can end their attack sequence. Repeated blocking and striking can lead to a prolonged swordfight.
• Long Swordfight: Mash UP and SHIFT together repeatedly to engage in a prolonged swordfight, increasing the chance of landing hits.
• Switching Places: Move LEFT or RIGHT past a guard to switch positions. This can be used to quickly defeat a guard by maneuvering them near a hazard like a pit or cutter.

A song plays after defeating a guard.

Life Bars & Injuries:

Your life is represented by 3 bullets in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Injuries deplete life. Life can be extended by finding special potions.

Light Injuries:

• Getting hit by a broken/loose slab
• A two-storey fall
• Getting struck by a guard in En Guarde stance
• Drinking Evil Potions

Severe Injuries:

• 3-storey or higher fall
• Guard strikes Prince when not in En Guarde mode
• Falling on spikes
• Getting sliced in half by a cutter

Picking Up Items:

Press SHIFT when close to items to pick them up.

• Sword: Your primary weapon. First appears and is found only in Level 1.
• Healing Potion: Heals one life bullet. Looks like a gourd. Appears first in Level 1 and is found throughout the game.
• Evil Potion: Removes one life bullet.