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Thank You!* PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE TWO THRONES FAQ/WALKTHROUGH VERSION 2.1 (Created 12/4/2005, Updated 12/19/2005) 2005 Marten "Karma Hunter" Stein +-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ |T|a|b|l|e| |o|f| |C|o|n|t|e|n|t|s| +-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ To find a desired section, just use CTRL + F and enter the characters within the parentheses next to the section. I. Introduction (INTR1) II. Characters & Controls (CONT2) III. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ3) IV. Walkthrough (WALK4) V. Free-Form Fighting Strategy (FREE5) VI. Enemies (ENEM6) VII. Boss Strategies (BOSS7) VIII. Life Upgrades (LIFE8) IX. Secrets (SECT9) X. Credits (CRED10) --- I. INTRODUCTION (INTR1) Hi, everyone! Welcome to my FAQ/Walkthrough of the third and final installment of the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time trilogy--Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, for the Nintendo Gamecube! This is a terrific and challenging game that combines the greatness of the two previous titles to create what is, in my opinion, a masterpiece of gaming. But I'm not here to wax philosophical about the game, I'm here to help you! So, without any further adieu, read on to the guide itself! --- II. CHARACTERS & CONTROLS (CONT2) *DESCRIPTIONS ARE TAKEN FROM THE GAME MANUAL* The Prince The Prince of Persia is back from the Island of Time, where he prevented the creation of the Sands of Time and rescued Kaileena, the Empress of Time. He eventually changed his fate and escaped death. He is now sailing to his homeland of Babylon, only to discover it ravaged by war and invaded by a powerful enemy. Controls A: Roll/Jump/Action B: Dagger Attack C-Stick: Move Camera X: Pick Up & Throw Weapon/Drop Down Y: Secondary Weapon Attack/Grab/Speed Kill Z: Landscape View L: Rewind/Slowdown R: Wall Running/Blocking/Swinging Control Stick: Move Character Control Pad: First Person Camera --- The Dark Prince The unexpected spreading of the Sands of Time as the Prince returns to Babylon has tainted the Prince and given rise to a deadly Dark Prince, whose spirit gradually possesses him. The Dark Prince is a corrupted version of the Prince: ruthless, reckless, and sadistic. A: Roll/Jump/Action B: Dagger Attack C-Stick: Move Camera X: Spin Chain/Drop Down Y: Chain Swing/Chain Attack/Grab/Speed Kill Z: Landscape View L: Rewind/Slowdown R: Wall Running/Blocking/Swinging Control Stick: Move Character Control Pad: First Person Camera --- III. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ3) *PLEASE, READ THIS SECTION BEFORE YOU E-MAIL ME* Q: I can't beat Klompa/The Arena Boss/The First Boss/The Ogre! A: Read my strategy, but if you're having trouble landing the Speed Kill, you may have the glitch (or you're pressing the button too early, TRY WAITING). Try different combinations of Speed Killing or try to get the timing down without the actual visual cue. If all else fails, you may just have to resort to getting another copy of the game, one that hopefully isn't glitched. Q: Is there a secret ending for collecting all the Life Upgrades? A: NO, there is not. As far as I know, all you get for collecting the Life Upgrades is extra health. No alternate ending a la Warrior Within. Q: I jump and use a shutter, but it doesn't make me go where I need to! How do I do this?! A: Sometimes, whether by glitch or design, the shutters don't go where you need to go unless you point in the direction you want as you jump. For safety's sake, I always point in the direction I want to go when I use the shutter. Q: What differences are there between the Gamecube version of this game and the other ones? A: Aside from the standard differences in graphics, framerate, controller, et cetera? There are a few in the actual game, such as slight alterations to enemy locations that you won't likely notice or miss. More importantly, though, the Gamecube version misses out on a few videos for Sands of Time and Warrior Within in the unlockables. Not exactly a problem if you own the previous games, but a tad disappointing nonetheless. --- IV. WALKTHROUGH (WALK4) This Walkthrough was done using the Hard version of the game as the template. These strategies will work for other versions of the game, however, as they are the same excepting the damage one gives and recieves. So, in other words, don't worry. Just follow the walkthrough. This Walkthrough is also relatively spoiler-free, as I will try not to give away any significant plot points in the actual guide. Names of enemies and bosses are given, however, so if you consider those spoilers, tread cautiously. --- A. The Beginning From where you start, go forward and roll (press A while running) through the hole in the doorway. Turn left and go forward, then turn around when you reach the flaming stone. Climb (press A) the wooden crate to your right, then jump (press A while running) to the stone ahead of you. Jump to the stone after that, then turn left at the wall and jump to the wooden ledge ahead of you. Turn left, and run along the wall (press and hold R while running parallel to the wall) to reach the next wooden ledge. Turn right and run up the wall (press and hold R while running directly toward the wall) to reach a ledge, then shimmy left along the ledge and around the corner. Drop (press X) from the ledge, and head forward to the ladder ahead. Descend the ladder, head forward and turn right at the wall. Jump onto the column ahead of you (press A) and ascend it. Turn around the column and jump (press A) to the column ahead of you. You can also perform a quick jump (press A while pointing in the direction you want to go), but those not used to the game mechanics may want to wait until attempting these. Ascend the next column and jump back to the column behind you. Turn to the left and jump to the wooden platform. From there, turn right and climb the raised platform, then move toward the rail on the right to automatically climb over it. Jump to the column in the middle of the room (press the control stick toward the column and press A). From here, turn right and jump to the ledge across from you. Shimmy right along it and drop. Turn around, then run along the wall to reach the ledge across from you. Jump up to the ledge above that, then shimmy left until you reach an opening. Climb up and drop into the next room. --- B. The Ramparts This next room has a water fountain, which you can drink to replenish health and save the game (press R near fountain). You can also drink from any other sources of water to replenish health, though only fountains can save. From where you enter, turn left and head forward to the next corner. Here you will first be introduced to the Landscape Camera. See the flashing gold icon (or 'eyecon') in the lower left corner of the screen? When that appears, you can use the Landscape Camera (press Z). You can use the Landscape Camera to get a large overview of an area, and can also zoom in and out on your character in this view (use the C-Stick). From here, turn right and ascend the ladder in the next room. Turn right and head through the doorway to activate a cutscene. You will now be introduced to your first enemy, the Guard, as well as the exciting Speed Kill system. To perform a Speed Kill, move behind an enemy without being detected until the screen becomes distorted. When that happens, press the Y button to initiate the Speed Kill. In order to complete the Speed Kill, you must press the B button when the screen flashes and the dagger flares. Failure to match these visual cues will result in failure of the Speed Kill, which results in considerable damage for the Prince. This first Speed Kill is a tutorial, so the time allotted for matching the visual cues and the intervals between them are relatively slowed. A Guard will typically require matching two visual cues in a Speed Kill. Execute the Speed Kill. Use Landscape Camera if you wish. Then, turn right, head over the rail, and jump to the column ahead of that. Slide down the column and move behind the next Guard, then perform a Speed Kill. After dispatching him, turn to the right and head to the edge of the platform. Run along the left wall to reach the ledge across from you. Shimmy right along to the end of the ledge, then climb up and jump up to the next ledge. Shimmy right to that ledge's end, then drop to the next ledge. Shimmy right to the end of the ledge, then jump across the gap to the right. Descend the ladder quickly, move behind the Guard ahead, and perform a Speed Kill. From here you will be introduced to the Free-Form Fighting system, which has been relatively unchanged from the previous installment in the Prince of Persia trilogy, Warrior Within. For in-depth strategy with this system, please check the 'Free-Form Fighting' section of this guide. Head around the pillar and descend the stairway, then turn right and head toward the alleyway. You will now be forced to engage your first Guard in Free-Form Fighting. Vault attacks are effective, particularly the Aerial Landing Slice. After defeating him, turn right and head forward to the next edge. Run along the left wall and jump when you are parallel to the ledge on the right to reach that ledge. Climb up the ledge, then jump up to the next ledge. Shimmy left and climb up after you turn the corner. Turn left and ascend the ladder. In this next room, look to the ledge above and run up the wall to reach it. Climb over it, and head forward for a cutscene. After it, turn left and reach the edge of the platform. Run along the left wall to the curtain, which the Prince will automatically slide down. Turn around and head forward to engage in your first major Free-Form Fighting battle with three Guard enemies. Vault attacks are still effective, as are Wall Rebound attacks. If you feel overwhelmed, you can use the Grab Throw to toss as many as you like off the cliff or into the fire. After defeating them, head forward and turn left into the next room. Ascend the ladder in front of you, then jump backward to the other ladder. Turn around on the ladder, then climb up. Run up the wall on the right and jump at the apex of your run to reach the ledge to the left. Climb up the ledge, then jump to the right to reach the ladder. Climb it to the top. Here you will be introduced to the First Person Camera, which is activated by pressing Up on your D-Pad. Use the C-Stick to look around, then press Up again (or any other button) to return to the normal camera. Head forward off the platform and make a left. Head forward until you reach a door, and climb the ledge to the left of the door. Climb the ledge above that, move forward to the edge of the platform, and you will be introduced to your second type of enemy, the Archer. These enemies are weaker than Guards, but have aggravating arrow attacks. Fortunately, those attacks can be blocked, and they only require matching one visual cue in a Speed Kill. Run along the wall on your left to reach the ledge across from you, then wait until the screen becomes distorted. When it does, execute your Speed Kill (yes, you can start them from anywhere as long as the screen is distorted). From here, head forward and descend the ladder. If you like, you can just sneak up on the Guard ahead of you and execute a Speed Kill. If that's too daring, you can run up the wall on your right to reach a ledge. Shimmy forward on the ledge to the end, then jump to the left to reach another ledge. Shimmy forward to the end of the ledge, then wait until the screen becomes distorted to perform the Speed Kill. Ahead of you is an Archer, approach him from the right and execute a Speed Kill. Move to the end of the next hallway and ascend the ladder at the end of it. Head forward and drop to the next area. --- C. The Harbor District There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. Head forward to the edge of the wooden platform, then run along the left wall and jump at the end of it to reach the next platform. Move toward the ledge on the left to get on it, then drop to hang on the ledge. Shimmy right along the ledge and around the corner, then climb up at the next platform. Use the beam on the right to reach the next ledge, then move right along the ledge to the next beam. Jump to the beam across from you to reach the next platform, then roll under the hole ahead to reach the next room. Turn left and you will see a weapon rack, which will give a secondary weapon when broken. Break it if you wish with your dagger, then turn right and get on the beam. Jump forward from the beam to reach a set of beams, one above the other. Drop from the first beam to the second beam, and note that sending the birds flying will arouse the suspicion of the enemies below. Wait until the Archer turns away from you, then execute a Speed Kill on the Guard. After dispatching him, move toward the Archer and Speed Kill him as well. Move forward and run up the wall, jumping at the apex of the run to reach another beam. Jump up to the beam above that one, then move left to the next platform. Ahead of you is another beam, jump to it. Move to the beam pointing at the center and jump to reach a gap, which the Prince will automatically brace himself in. Move the Control Stick down to slide down, and move it up to climb up. Slide all the way down, and drop to the street below. Two Guards will attack, dispatch them both however you see fit. After killing them, turn right and jump to the beam ahead of you. Move along the beam to the right, then jump to the next beam. There is a gap on your left, jump to it and use it to climb up to the next platform. Jump forward to the next beam, then slide down the gap. Turn around in the gap, then execute the Speed Kill on the Guard below. Move forward and head into the next room. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then move to the edge of the platform on the right into the birds. Wait for the guards to resume their intial positions, then jump to the beam ahead of you. Execute the Speed Kill on the Guard from here, then move to the Archer and Speed Kill him as well. Ascend the ladder next to the Archer to reach the next platform. Move on the beam and jump to the rail across from you--however, do NOT climb over the rail. Wait for the Archer to come to the left, then climb over when he starts to move to the right. Catch up with him and perform a Speed Kill. Roll under the hole ahead of you. --- D. The Streets of Babylon This next area has a fountain, use it if you wish. To the right of it is a wall, run up it to reach the next platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the right wall and jump at the end of it to reach a beam. Wait until the Guard moves under you and the screen becomes distorted, then perform a Speed Kill. Move up to the Archer, and Speed Kill him as well. Run along the left wall to reach a beam, then jump to the right to reach the next building. Turn left, and follow the stairway until you reach a dead end. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run up either the left or right wall and jump. Jump again when you hit the wall across from you, and continue this process to ascend to a ledge. Get on the ledge to the right, then jump up to reach another ledge. Move right to reach the next platform, then climb up to reach another. Get on the beam to your right, then move up the center beam. Jump forward to the next beam, and then again to another. Move right and then jump forward to reach the next beam, and then move left and jump forward to reach yet another beam. Jump forward once more to reach the next platform. Climb over the rail in front of you and move parallel with the ledge across from you (it's above the blackened wall). Drop down to the ledge below. Use the Landscape Camera to wait until the Guard on the left is turned away, then quickly perform a Speed Kill on the other Guard. Then turn and Speed Kill the aforementioned Guard. Move forward and follow the alleyway until you reach a beam. Move along it and jump to the ledge across from you, then shimmy left along the edge to reach another beam. Climb on it, and jump to the beam parallel to it, then jump from that beam to reach the next platform. Move forward through the alley until you reach the edge of the platform. Run along the right wall and jump when you are parallel with the beam in the center to reach it. Jump toward the wall on your left or right, and jump off that wall to reach the beam above you. Move forward and jump to the next area. --- E. The Palace Balcony There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. Climb over the railing to your left and drop to the platform below. Move to the edge, then run along the wall on your left, jumping when you are parallel to the rail on the right side. Climb up the rail. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run up the wall next to you to reach a ledge above. Move left along the ledge to reach a beam, and wait for the Archer in the background to move. Then, perform a Speed Kill on the Guard below. Move forward and turn right, but stay behind the brown latticed wall. Use the Landscape Camera to observe the two Archers. Wait until the Guard in the foreground turns to the right, then quickly move up and turn left into the next alcove. Move forward and climb the furniture, then run up the wall and jump to reach a beam. Move right along the beam until you reach its edge, then wait for the screen to become distorted. Execute the Speed Kill on the Archer then, and Speed Kill the other Archer afterward. From where the last Archer was, there is a raised statue to the left. Climb it, then run up the wall and stab the dagger into the plate (press B). As a note, when using plates remember to let go of all buttons after stabbing, particularly R, as holding them can potentially mess you up. Jump up and stab into the next plate, then jump to the platform across from you. At the edge of the next platform, run along the left wall and jump when you reach the shutter to propel the Prince to the next platform. There is a pressure plate to the left, step on it to open the door ahead of you. Run through the door before it closes. In the next room, climb up the table on your right and move to the edge of the platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the right wall and stab the dagger into the plate when you reach it. Drop to the beam below, then jump across and stab into another plate. From here, perform a Speed Kill on the Guard below. There is a column to your right, jump to it and ascend. From there, jump to the beam to the right of you, and jump from there to the next platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run up the wall ahead of you to reach a ledge. Move right along the ledge until you reach a beam, then move to the end of the beam to reach a gap. Jump to the gap, turn around in it, and then execute a Speed Kill on the Archer below. After that, turn to the railing and climb over it, then jump to the beam across from you. Wait until the screen becomes distorted, then perform a Speed Kill on the Guard below. Move forward until you reach a doorway on your left barricaded by furniture. Destroy the furniture with your dagger and then wait for the alarmed Guard to move back into position. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then move through the doorway and run up the wall ahead to the rail. However, do NOT jump over the rail. Instead, shimmy to the right until you are past the guard, then jump over the rail and execute a Speed Kill. Turn to the left wall and run up it, stabbing your dagger into the plate above. Jump and stab your dagger into the next plate, then run along the wall (hold R and press the Control Stick) to the left and stab your dagger into the next plate. Run one more time to the left to reach the next platform. Turn left and move to the table ahead. Climb it and move to its edge. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the wall and press Y on the shutter to initiate a Speed Kill on the Archer ahead, remembering to finish the Speed Kill afterward. Run up the wall on your left and jump to reach a beam. Jump from this beam to another beam ahead of you, and then jump at the end of this beam to the left to reach a ledge. Climb the ledge and over the railing above it to reach the next platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then climb on the table ahead, run up the wall, and stab your dagger into the plate. Run along the wall to the right and jump when you are parallel to the beam on the right. Move forward along the beam and turn when you reach a smaller beam on the left. From this beam, jump to the gap ahead of you. Now, the next Speed Kill. After a bit more testing on this kill, it is easier than I thought, and contrary to my first impressions, error on the designers does not seem to be the issue here. Still, it's a tricky one. To do it EASILY, simply drop down from the gap and quickly Speed Kill the Guard walking away from you, then go back and Speed Kill the Archer. Now, if you want to do it the 'real' way, or the Guard is too far away from you, here's how you do it. Turn around in the gap, and execute a Speed Kill on the Archer below. Afterward, move forward through the hallway to the table ahead. Run up the wall on the left and jump to the beam above. Move to the beam perpendicular to you and then move right until you reach the end of the beam. Jump to the plate and stab your dagger into it, then run along the wall to the left and stab your dagger into the next plate. Then (now this is the tough part), you will have to jump from the plate to the beam across from you, then press the Control Stick away from the beam as you reach it. Doing this will help to make the Prince maintain balance, any other way will make the Prince slip into a hanging position, where the Guard will see him and mess up the Speed Kill. After doing this, move to the center beam, jump to the gap ahead, use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then turn around and perform the Speed Kill. Any way you do it, afterward move forward into the next room. Run up the wall on your left and stab the dagger into the plate. Run along the wall to your right to reach a ledge, then shimmy right along to the end of the ledge. Climb up to reach the next level. Head around to the end of the hall, then run up the wall and jump off the pressure plate to open a door and reach the beam. Quickly climb up through the open way before it closes to reach the next area. --- F. The Palace There is a fountain in this area, use it if you wish. To the right there is a hallway full of trap spikes, run quickly over them to avoid being hurt. Follow the hallway until you reach your first spinning blade trap. Run through right after it goes down. The next trap is a panel that flips between a normal state and one filled with spikes. Run onto it right after it turns normal and then run up the wall ahead of you. Climb over the railing to reach the next platform. Approach the edge of the platform on the right. You will need to run along the wall on the right at the right time to avoid being hit by the blade. Since you will be passing only through where the upper half of the trap, wait until the blade clears that section and then quickly run through, jumping afterward to reach the next platform parallel to you. Go forward and approach the edge from the right. You will need to run along the wall on the right at the right time to avoid being hit by the wall trap. Wait until right after the wall goes down, then run along the wall, jumping on the shutter at the end to reach the next platform. In the next hallway, wait until the wall trap ahead of you begins to go down, then quickly run forward over the trap spikes and run up it and climb to reach the next platform. The next trap is a duo of spinning blades. Wait for both to go down and then quickly run across. At the end of the hall there is a crank. Grab the lever of the crank (press and hold R) and use the Control Stick to move it and open the ceiling above you. Turn around and look to your left, there is a plate switch above you. Run up the wall and stab your dagger into the plate (press B) to pull out the block across from you. Quickly jump to the block and run up the wall to the left to reach a ledge. Climb the ledge and jump to climb into the next area. --- G. The Throne Room There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. From the fountain, head right and climb the statue of the bird. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run up the wall and stab the dagger into the plate. Run along the wall to the right to reach the next platform, then run along the wall to a shutter where you should initiate a Speed Kill for the Archer ahead. Run along the left wall to the next platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run up the wall ahead of you to reach the next platform. Run along the left wall and jump off the shutter to reach a ledge. Climb up the ledge, then jump up and stab the dagger into the plate. Jump across to reach another ledge, then shimmy to the right to a beam. Follow it to the center beam, and then jump across to the gap. Slide down, turn around, and wait for the the screen to become distorted so that you can use a Speed Kill on the Archer. From there, turn left and run up the wall to a ledge. Move to the right, around the corner, then jump up and stab the dagger into the plate. Run to the right and jump when you are parallel with the ledge on the pillar, then move left around the corner and jump to the column. Slide down to the column's midsection and wait. Observe the archer above. When he turns around, ascend the column and jump to the railing on his platform, then quickly move behind him and do a Speed Kill. After that, turn right and climb over the railing, then jump to the column across from you. Turn to the gap ahead and jump to it, then slide down and turn around. You will now attempt your first double Speed Kill on these two Guards. This is attemptable when two enemies are close together, and are usually scripted events. A double Speed Kill requires matching with four visual cues, but takes out two enemies at once. To my knowledge, they must always be done from above. Simply initiate the Speed Kill and go from there. Afterward, turn around and head through the hallway to activate a major cutscene. You now have the Dagger of Time, and more importantly, your first time power: The Recall. You can rewind time now (press and hold L) to undo your mistakes. Pretty handy, huh? Each rewind consumes one Sand Tank. To refill sand, you must defeat enemies of sand or break containers in the hopes that they may contain sand. Go forward and turn right, and smash through the barricades. Continue following the hallway, and note that it is crumbling beneath you--so make haste! At the end, run up the wall on the left to reach a pressure plate, then run through the open door afterward. This floor is crumbling as well, be wary as a section ahead of you will fall before you get to it. If you mess up, remember: you can rewind your mistakes now. Continue to the end of the hallway, then run up the wall and stab into the plate above. Then run to the left and stab into a plate, then run to the left to reach the next platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the right wall to the curtain and slide down. Quickly go through the doorway before the floor falls away to reach the next area. --- H. The Trapped Hallway There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. From there, head right and go through the hallway until you reach a two panel traps. Wait for the first one to retract, cross it, and then do the same for the second one. Turn left to find a new type of trap, the spinning bladed columns. There are two here. Stand to the left and wait for the first one to go to the right before crossing past them both. The next trap is a combination of two panel traps and a bladed column. Take a side, wait for the first panel to go down, make sure the column is not in the way, and then cross them all. The next trap ahead is a bladed column, then a panel trap, and then another bladed column. Wait for the panel to go down, make sure the columns aren't in the way, and then run past them all. At the corner on the right is a pressure plate, run up the wall to press it. Then turn around and head through the door before it closes. Do not step on the floor in the middle or to the right, as it is crumbling. Circle around from the left to reach a column in the upper right corner, and jump to it. Ascend the column and jump to the next column behind you, and then ascend and jump to the column after that. Ascend that column and turn to the left, then jump to the ledge opposite you. Move to the right before the ledge falls, and around the corner to the end, then jump up to the next ledge. Move all the way to the end and then jump to the column opposite you. Then, jump from the column before it crumbles and stab into the plate ahead of you. From there, run right along the wall to the next plate and stab into it, then do the same for the third plate. Then jump to the column opposite that plate, and jump to the one past that. Finally, jump to the left to land on a beam, and jump from the beam to reach the next platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then jump to the curtain and slide down. Jump as you almost reach the bottom to avoid death and make it to the gap. Slide down the gap, then drop down to the next area. --- I. The Ruined Palace. There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. From there, go left and follow the hallway to the next set of traps--a bladed column between two panel traps. Simply choose a side, wait for the panel on that side to go down, and run past. Make a left and face the next set of traps--three panel traps in a row. Wait for the first one to go down and quickly run to pass them all. Next is a set of three bladed columns. Pick a side, wait for the first one to head away from you and then quickly run past them all. Head forward through the hallway, taking care to keep ahead of the crumbling floor, and you will eventually emerge in a room. There is a platform across the gap to the right of this room, jump across it to reach it. From there, head forward to the wall at end of the platform, then make a left and run along the right wall to reach the next platform. Now you will engage a single Guard in Free-Form Fighting. Dispatch of him and move forward to the stone block. Jump forward across the pit to reach a ledge, and move left along the ledge to the next platform. Two more Guards will engage you in Free-Form Fighting. Eliminate them. To your right in a hallway is a chest that contains 10 Sand Credits. Sand Credits are used to buy artwork in the Extra Features section of the Main Menu. Go back out and forward to a ledge ahead. Climb up the ledges to reach the next platform. A Guard will engage you in Free-Form Fighting, get rid of him. After that, turn back the way you came and climb up to the small platform. Go to the edge, jump to the plate across and stab into it. Then jump up and stab into the next plate, then jump up to the ledge. Climb it and move to the left to reach the next platform. Turn to the left and jump to the next platform, then run along the right wall and jump on the shutter to propel yourself to the next ledge. Move left along the ledge to reach the next area. --- J. The Royal Chambers There is a fountain in this area, use it if you wish. Move forward from here to step on the pressure plate and move through the doorway. Follow the stairs all the way down until you trigger a cutscene. --- K. The Sewers There is a fountain in this area, use it if you wish. Move forward to the edge of the platform, and jump forward to grab the bar. You can swing from a bar (press and hold R), swing-jump (press A while swinging), and climb up a bar (press A). Swing-jump to the next bar, and do the same for the next one, and the next one, which will take you to the next platform. Turn left and move to the edge of the platform, then jump forward to then next bar. Shimmy around the bar (use the Control Stick) to the left around the corner, then shimmy up and around the next corner. Then turn around (use the Control Stick) and drop to the next platform. Go up the stairs to the edge of the platform, then jump forward to the next bar. Climb up the bar, then jump to the ledge ahead of you. Shimmy to the left around the two corners, then drop into the gap. Slide down to the bottom and drop to the floor. You will now encounter a new type of enemy, one that can only be fought using Free-Form Fighting: the Reptus. These creatures aren't fast, but they are surprisingly strong and very effective defenders. They have a weakness to the light, however, and will be vulnerable when led into it. The easiest way to deal with these enemies is to lead them into the light, and then use the Aerial Landing Slice to quickly kill them. If there is no light to be found, then simple combos seem to work best to bring them down. The Reptus are also the first enemy that gives sand when it is defeated, so make a note of that. After defeating the Reptus, go down the hallway, run up the wall at the end and stab the plate switch ahead of you. From there, drop down to a ledge, and drop again into the gap. Slide down to the bottom of the gap. Jump to the bar ahead of you, and drop down to the next two bars, followed by dropping to the floor. Drink the water if you need health, then turn around and head forward to the stone ahead. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then turn to the left and run up the wall to a plate to stab into. Jump up from there to another plate to stab into, and then run along the wall to the right to reach a ledge. Shimmy right until you turn a corner, then climb up and move right around the next corner. Line up with the column at the center of the room, and jump to it. Slide down the column, the door has opened. Head through the door and out to the beam, then jump right to the gap. Slide down the gap and drop down to the floor. From here move forward and until you come to the edge of a pit. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then turn to the left and jump to the ledge on the wall ahead. Climb up, move to the right, then jump and climb up to the ledge above. Then move to the right and climb up to the next ledge, followed by jumping to the column in the center of the room. Jump from the column to the bar on the opposite end, and swing-jump from the bar to the plate on the moving wall when it is completely out. Wait there until the wall is completely out again, then run along the wall to the right to reach the next platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then turn left and run along the right wall to reach the next gap. Slide down and drop to the floor, then move to the center of the room to activate what we've all been anticipating... ...THE DARK PRINCE!!! The Dark Prince has quite a few differences from the standard Prince we know and love, which makes his playable sections into quite a ride. Firstly, he is constantly dying. Every second takes away another bit from his health--and if it reaches the end, he dies. The only way to replenish health is to use sand, which gives full health to the Dark Prince. Fortunately, virtually every container gives sand, and there is never a shortage of enemies to fight the Dark Prince--as we will soon see. The Dark Prince excels at combat. Read his section in the 'Free-Form Fighting' section for intricate details, but newbies and button-mashers should be content with knowing that by alternatively pressing B and Y over and over again the Dark Prince will tear through almost any and all opponents, needing you only to point him at what to kill. You begin in the thick of combat, as swarms of Reptus will seek to bring you down. Fight and kill them all--and don't worry, it'll take a while. After defeating all the enemies, head to the center of the room and face the stone with the lion's face emblazoned upon it. Pull out the stone (press and hold the Y button) to open the door behind you, and head through it quickly. As you might have guessed, platforming is a bit more strenuous thanks to the drain on your life. Fortunately, that's what this guide is for. Head out onto the beam ahead and jump forward to reach the next beam, then jump forward again to reach a column. Descend it to reach the floor, where a group of Reptus are lying in wait. Destroy them all, and move forward out of the room. Make a right and you will see a bar, which you can jump and chain-swing (press Y while jumping) to. Jump and chain-swing across, then get some sand out of the pots on this platform. From here, move out to the beam and jump forward, chain-swing, then chain- swing again to reach a gap. Slide down and drop to the bottom, where more Reptus await you. After destroying them, pull out the stone with your chain and then head through the door it opens. From here, run up the wooden wall ahead of you to reach a ledge above. Shimmy left and around the corner, then climb up and jump up to reach the next platform. Grab the sand from the adjacent pots, then turn around. Run along the right wall to the ladder on the other side, and ascend it to the next platform. Go to the upper left, climb up the platform, and stab the plate switch ahead. After the wall moves out, jump to the bar and swing-jump to the next bar. Climb up the bar, wait for the panel trap ahead of you to retract, and then quickly jump from panel to wall up to the platform above. Go forward, get the sand, and follow the hallway to the platform's edge. Move out to the beam, jump to the gap ahead, and then drop down. You just touched a pool of the Water of Life. By touching this, you undo the transformation of the Prince into the Dark Prince. Why didn't I tell you this before? In the words of the Dark Prince: "And ruin all the fun?" = P Head forward and jump up to the ledge on the right. Jump from there to the ledge on the left, then jump and climb to the ledge above you. Move left and line up with the moving wall. Jump and stab into the plate on the wall when it descends to your level, then run to the left at its ascent to reach the next platform. Head forward to reach a room with four Reptus, and kill them all. To the left of the third archway is a plate switch, stab it to open the door ahead. Run through before it closes. Now you have the opportunity to get your first optional Life Upgrade, which permanently extends your maximum health. If you want it, read on to the next section, otherwise simply skip it--unlike Warrior Within, there is no reward for getting all the Life Upgrades. --- LIFE UPGRADE NUMBER ONE *OPTIONAL* To your left is a curtain. Go through it, and head to the edge of the platform. Jump to reach the next platform, then turn right and jump to another platform. Turn left and move out onto the beam, then jump to the next beam, then the next, and then the next to reach the next platform. Turn right and move out to the end of the next beam, then jump forward to reach another beam. Turn left and jump to reach the final platform, and drink from the fountain ahead to start the Life Upgrade hallway. Don't bother wasting your sand in this hallway--if you die, you'll be sent back to the beginning with no consequences. Only resort to using sand if it is of the utmost importance in completing the hallway. You will encounter a pair of spinning blades first. Wait for them to go down, then quickly run past them. Move out onto the beam ahead, and drop into a hang. Shimmy upward until you reach a perpendicular beam, then climb up it. Move back to the center and forward to the edge of the beam. Wait for the two spinning blades to pass, then jump to the next beam. Finally, move as close to the platform as you can without moving from the beam. When the spinning blade ahead goes down, jump forward and head into the light to attain the Life Upgrade. You will be teleported back to the fountain. From here, simply retrace your steps back to where you came. END LIFE UPGRADE NUMBER ONE --- Ahead is a trap of two spinning blades succeeded by a spike trap. Wait for the blades to pass, then run past them and over the trap floor, then stop. Wait for the second set of blades to pass, then run past those as well to reach the next area. --- L. The Tunnels There is a fountain in this area, use it if you wish. Head forward until you reach the platform's edge, then run along the wall to your left and jump at the end to reach the next platform. Turn left and run along the wall to the right to reach the ladder. Ascend the ladder, then jump to the ledge on the right. Climb up, then look up to be introduced to the newest trap--shooting arrows. Jump up to the next ledge, but remain in a hang. Wait until the arrows shoot, then climb up and jump to the right. Wait for the arrows to shoot again, then climb up and jump and climb to the platform above. From here, turn right and around until you get to the edge of the platform. Jump to the platform ahead, then jump again to reach the next platform with two new enemies--the Sand Archers. The Sand Archers are basically just Archers that give you sand, so quickly Speed Kill one and then the other while their backs are turned. From here, run up the wall to the ledge above and climb up. Move right, then jump and climb up to the next ledge, and then jump and climb to the next one above it. Shimmy right as far as you can, then drop to the ledge below. It's breaking, so quickly move right and jump back up to a ledge above. From here, jump to the ledge on the opposite wall and move right. Then jump up to the next ledge, shimmy right, and drop down to the next ledge. This one is also breaking, so quickly move right and jump up to the next ledge at the end. Climb up, and jump across to the ledge on the other side before that ledge breaks as well. Move right as far as you can, then jump and climb up to the next ledge. Move right as far as you can. Wait for the arrows to fire, then jump and climb up to the ledge above. Move right as far as you can, wait for the arrows to fire, then jump up and shimmy right on the next ledge. Climb up. The ledges above you are retracting. Wait until they both just go out, then jump and climb up both, move right, and jump and climb to the platform above to activate a cutscene and reach the next area. --- M. The Fortress There is a fountain in this area, use it if you wish. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then slide down the gap. You will see two new enemies, and a new object. The object is a sand Gate, and you can get new Sand Powers from them. The gray enemy is a Sand Guard, the sand variant of the standard Guard. The red enemy is a Sand Gate Guard, and is special in three ways. Firstly, it has the ability to call for reinforcements from the Sand Gate. Since you cannot use the Sand Gate until all the enemies around it are defeated, this is not a good thing. Secondly, this enemy requires matching three visual cues to Speed Kill. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, is that this enemy has a special secondary weapon. It is a sword that, when equipped, will constantly regenerate the Prince's Sands of Time! The power of nigh-limitless recall and other tricks are at your fingertips with the weapon. There is the drawback of the sword basically stripping you of your Left Hand in Free-Form Fighting because the durability is so low, and you'll lose the sword whenever you turn into the Dark Prince (which is usually conveniently right after a Sand Gate), but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks so heavily it's simply no contest. Wait for the Sand Guard to move under you, then execute the Speed Kill. After he goes down, move behind the Sand Gate Guard and execute the Speed Kill. A tip to keep in mind is that now with the recall power, you can rewind Speed Kills if you mess up--be sure to do so if you do. After killing him, step on the Sand Gate to gain a new Sand Tank. With this, you now have four Sand Tanks to draw upon. After that, go left and move to the edge of the platform. Wait for the panel trap ahead of you to retract, then run across the wall and jump when alongside the bar to reach the bar. Swing-jump to the next bar, and then swing-jump from there to the next platform with a Sand Archer. Get behind him and quickly Speed Kill him. Turn to the left, and jump to the hanging chain. Descend the chain to the bottom and wait. Hang there until the two Sand Guards are close together, then execute a double Speed Kill. From there, circle around the building to locate and Speed Kill the Sand Archer. In the alley below is a Sand Chest containing 10 Sand Credits. Go back to the chain and run up the wall of the small hut next to the chain to its roof. From there, run up the wall and stab into the plate, then jump and stab into the plate above. After that, run left along the wall and stab into the plate, then run along the wall to the left and jump off the shutter, to another shutter, which jumping off will propel you to a ledge. Drop from the ledge, turn around, and run up the wall opposite you to another ledge. Wait for the Sand Guard above to turn around, then jump up, climb over the railing, and execute a Speed Kill on the Sand Guard. Then move forward behind the Sand Archer, and Speed Kill him as well. There is a crank here, turn it, and then move forward to the narrow edge of the platform. Wait for the panel trap to retract (the first one was deactivated by the crank), and run across the wall to reach the next platform. What's that? Oh, the Dark Prince is back. Here we go... The torch on the wall ahead can be chain-swung from, extending the Dark Prince's wall-running ability. Run along the left wall and chain-swing from the torch to make it to the next platform. Jump forward and chain-swing to reach the next platform, then drop down to the Sand Archer below and prepare to do a Speed Kill. However, the Dark Prince Speed Kills differently from the Prince. Fortunately, while it is different, it is also easier. Initiate the Speed Kill using the Y button, and then press the Y button repeatedly to snap the neck of the unlucky victim. Brutal. >= D Speed Kill the Sand Archer, then jump back up the ledges to the raised platform above. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the left wall, chain-swing on the torch, and jump alongside the chain to reach it. Slide down to the bottom, and Speed Kill the Sand Archer below. Thankfully for the Dark Prince, Speed Kills from chains don't require anything but initiating the kill. How cool is that??? = D Drop down and head up to the next Sand Archer, and Speed Kill him. Get behind the stone pillar after doing that and wait for the patrolling Sand Guard. When he turns around, sneak up behind him and execute a Speed Kill. Now, this will herald an infinite amount of incoming enemies. Don't deal with them, instead turn to the column nearest the stone pillar (it has two vases by it), and ascend the column. Jump to the bar ahead, and swing-jump to the next bar and the next bar and the next bar, then swing-jump to the plate switch, stabbing the switch to open the gate. Drop down, move around to the gate and pass through to reach a pool of the Water of Life. You are the Prince again. Move forward to reach the next sequence. A CHARIOT SEQUENCE! The chariot is simple to control. Press left and right on the Control Stick to move the chariot left and right. Press the A button to speed up, however this is a completely unnecessary move. Use it only if you feel daring or suicidal. The chariot is dangerous, however. If you smash into anything that isn't an enemy, you will die. Period. You can use Recall to rewind time if you die, but you can only do this so many times. So, in short, be careful. At the beginning, you will be assaulted by another chariot. Don't let it ram you into the wall, and do your best to ram it into a wall instead. Make sure you don't ram into a wall yourself when you do it, though. Eventually he will crash, and you will move on. There is a juncture up ahead, move right through it. You will be assaulted by two enemies next, one after the other, press the B button to slash them off. At the next juncture head left, then slash off the next enemy that comes. You can go down either path for the next juncture, but be warned that the upper road will be partially blocked by an enemy's cart. Slash the enemy that gets on your cart, then steer through to the climactic ending. There. That wasn't so bad, was it? Cutscene time. Head through to the end of the alley. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run up the wall to the ledge, jump and climb up to the ledge above, and move around the corner. Then, jump over to the next ledge, and from there jump and climb up to the platform above. Turn left and climb up the ladder, jump right to a ledge, then jump up to the ledge above. Jump from there to the ladder on the opposite wall, and ascend it to the next platform. Turn right and head to the end of the alley, then climb over the right rail and jump to the ladder. Ascend the ladder, jump to the ledge on the other side, then move around the corner, jump to the next ladder, and ascend. Jump to the rail on the other side, and climb over to reach the next area. --- N. The Lower City There is a fountain here, save if you wish. Head forward and get on the beam. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then jump across to the next beam. Move forward and turn right at the next perpendicular beam, then move to the edge and jump to the ledge. Move right and around the corner, then drop down to the next ledge, then drop again to another ledge. Drop into a hanging mode and shimmy right until you reach a beam, then move to the edge, and jump across the gap to reach a beam and the next platform. Turn around and move to the edge of the platform from the right, then run along the wall and initiate a Speed Kill on the shutter to eliminate the Sand Guard. Go through the doorway and Speed Kill the next Sand Guard. Turn around now, and climb over the railing. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, and drop to stab into the plate below. Wait until your screen is distorted, then perform a Speed Kill on the Sand Guard. Then, quickly move forward and Speed Kill the other Sand Guard. Turn right and move onto the next beam. Jump to the bar and swing-jump across to the gap. Slide down the gap, turn around, and wait. Wait until your screen becomes distorted, then execute the double Speed Kill. Afterward, quickly move up and around the portal behind the Sand Gate Guard, and Speed Kill him. Go to the Sand Portal and you will receive 100 Sand Credits. Go through the archway to the left, step out into the alley, then go back into the archway and turn your camera toward the alley. Wait for the two Sand Guards to come out into the alley and turn away from you, then come out and approach the Sand Guard on the left, Speed Kill him, then Speed Kill the Sand Guard on the right. Climb up the rubble with the brown canvas on top and then run up the wall and stab into the plate. Then, run along the wall to the right to reach a ledge. Shimmy right and climb over into the next room. Now for the most frustrating enemy up to this point: the Hunter Hounds. These things are hard to hit, hit even harder, and steal your sand away from you. The easiest way to deal with Hunter Hounds are to play them defensively. Block constantly until you see the Hound try to steal your sand (a big sand cloud appears when they do this), then quickly stab them with your dagger to get an instant kill. Doing this, they become a snap. However, if you don't have any sand, they won't do this. If this is the case, then you will need to resort to standard attacks. The easiest way to kill them normally is to knock them down with preferably a secondary weapon, but the dagger will do. Using Wall Rebound attacks are extremely effective in knocking them over. Then, stab them to kill them. There are two in this section, and yes, you can only combat them with Free-Form Fighting. Turn left go forward to the edge of the platform, then run along the wall on the right to reach the next platform. Turn left and jump to the next platform. Run up the wall and climb over the railing, then turn to the right and jump to the next platform. Time to be the Dark Prince. Quickly run forward and chain-swing to the next platform. Quickly run along the platform before it breaks and jump to the bar. Get on top of the bar and jump forward to reach the platform above you, then Speed Kill the Sand Archer. Then, quickly run along the left wall and chain-swing along the torch to reach the next platform. Quickly run and turn left on the platform before it breaks and jump at the edge, then chain-swing to the ladder on the other side. Ascend the ladder to reach the next area. --- O. The Lower City Rooftops You will reach a pool of the Water of Life, and become the Prince again. There is a fountain in this area, use it if you wish. From the fountain, turn right and wait for the Sand Archer on the building across from you to turn around. Then, jump across and Speed Kill him. Below you is another Sand Archer, wait for him to turn away and then descend and Speed Kill him. Run along the right wall and jump off the shutter to reach another shutter on the opposite wall, then jump again to activate a cutscene. After it, turn right and then left to reach the edge of the platform, then jump across to the next rooftop. Then, run up the wall in front of you and wait for the Sand Archer to turn around. When he does, climb up and Speed Kill him. Stay behind the vegetated wall and use the Landscape Camera to observe the two Sand Archers on the next rooftop. Wait until they turn around, and then jump across to the very rightmost part of the ledge (you should jump diagonally from the left on your platform to do it), but do NOT climb up. Birds will fly, but if you are on the right enough the two Sand Archers will not see you. Wait for them to turn around, then Speed Kill the one on the left, followed by the one on the right. Climb up to the next platform to activate a cutscene. Turn toward the building from the cutscene and jump across to the next rooftop. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the wall on the right and jump off the shutter to reach a chain. Descend the chain and wait. Two Sand Archers are here. Wait until the patrolling Sand Archer moves to the left and the other Sand Archer is turned away from you. Then, drop down and Speed Kill the Sand Archer on the left, followed by the Sand Archer on the right. Move through the doorway to the edge of the platform, and jump across to the ledge. Drop down to the next ledge, and then drop again to get down. Head forward through the hallway until you reach a dead end, then run up the on your left and stab the plate. Then jump back to a ledge. Jump up to a ledge above, and jump again to reach the next platform. Run along the wall on your right and stab into the plate, then drop and stab into the plate below. Then, drop to the alley. Go forward and smash the objects, then run up the wall and stab into the plate. Jump up and stab into the next plate, then run along the wall and stab into the switch. Two doors will open. Now, from here, you can get another optional Life Upgrade, if you wish. --- LIFE UPGRADE NUMBER TWO *OPTIONAL* Drop from the switch and run into the doorway furthest from you, remembering to roll in order to make it through. Run forward at the edge of the platform and drop to the ledge below. Then drop to the next ledge on the left, followed by another ledge. Then, move to the right and jump across to the ledge on the other side. Then, drop down to the floor. Turn around and follow the hallway, and run up the walls as you get to them. At the end is a fountain, drink from it to start the Life Upgrade hallway. You will be confronted with two Panel Traps at the beginning. Wait until they both start to go down, then run forward to the beam ahead. Ahead is a set of arrow traps, wait until they fire, then jump to the next set of beams. Quickly move to the center of the cross that the beams make. Wait for the arrows ahead of you to fire, then quickly move to the end of the beam and jump to the next set of beams, quickly climbing up so that you don't get hit. Move left to the next beam, and move forward to the edge. You will now have to deal with sliding ledges. Wait for the lowest ledge to retract and come back, then quickly jump to it. Then, *very* quickly jump to the ledges above as they appear. Run into the light to get the Life Upgrade. END LIFE UPGRADE NUMBER TWO --- Drop from the switch and run into the doorway closest to you to reach the next area. --- P. The Arena. There is a fountain in this area, use it if you wish. In fact, I recommend using it, as a boss fight awaits. Smash the pots on your left if you need some sand, then turn right and head out into the arena to face your first boss. --- Boss: Klompa Wait for the cutscene. Be impressed. Big guy, isn't he? Don't worry, he's beatable, although he can be a bit irksome if you don't know what you're doing. Klompa has a few basic attacks at the beginning of the battle. When you are close, he will use his grab, which does very little damage on its own (in fact, it will never kill you on its own), but if he throws you into the spikes around the arena, you will suffer massive damage. He also has a one handed pound, a two-handed pound, and a sword strike, all of which can be dodged simply by running. To beat Klompa, you will need to use the platforms on the arena's edge to ascend to his height. From the beginning, and hug the wall to reach a ramp. Ascend the ramp, and run along the wall to the right to reach a beam. Climb the beam, and then jump to the right to reach the next platform. Ascend the next ramp, then run up the wall and stab into the plate. Then, run to the left to reach the last platform. During all this, Klompa will attempt to hit you, but if you are quick, you needn't worry. Step out onto the beam, and intiate a Speed Kill. Klompa requires you to match with three visual cues in his Speed Kill. The first one happens when you dive out, the second happens when he has you in his hand, and the third happens when you are on his face. Run along the edge of the arena to the left until you reach another ramp. Then, run up the ramp and stab into the plate. Then, run along the wall to the right and stab into the next plate, then run along the wall to the right to reach the platform. Ascend the ramp and run up the wall to stab into the plate. Then, run along the wall to the final platform. Step out onto the beam, and initiate a Speed Kill. Klompa requires again for you to match with three visual cues. The first one happens when you dive out, the second happens when Klompa raises his hand to you, and the third happens when the Prince is on his head. Now begins the really tricky part of the battle. Klompa gains a few new attacks, most notably his wild sword slashing. If he hits you with this, it's over--a one hit kill. To dodge it, roll forward at him or roll to the side. Do not backflip, as the sword will hit you if you do so. Klompa also has a forward kick, which does moderate damage--but the real threat is that he often follows up this kick with a sword slash, which is then impossible to dodge. He also has a stomp, which does heavy damage, and if he steps on you normally, it will do minor damage. Save your sand for rewinding sword slashes. To beat him in this state, circle behind him and slash at his legs. Continually slash him there and you will whittle down his health bit by bit. Klompa will try to move away and counterattack, but if you dodge correctly each time, you will eventually bring him down. At the end you will bring down one leg, then the other, and then you will have to complete a final Speed Kill. The cues are three--one on his lower back, one when the Prince in the air, and the last when the Prince is on the back of the neck. If you miss any of these last three visual cues, Klompa will throw you off and gain back a little health, which you will of course have to take away. Complete the Speed Kill and Klompa will be finished at last. A final note--there is a known glitch in this battle, where one of the visual cues will fail to appear. If you follow this specific pattern for the fight, you should not get the glitch. If you do, however, you can still complete the Speed Kill by recognizing exactly when the visual cue is *supposed* to be. They are listed above, of course, for your convenience. Watch the cutscene with pride. --- Q. The Arena Tunnel Dark Prince Time! Quickly, run along either wall to the opposite platform. Then run up the wall ahead of you to reach the ledge. Move left and wait for the retracting ledge above to come out, then jump back and chain-swing to a ledge on the opposite side. Climb up to the next platform. Follow the hallway until you reach the end of this platform, where you will be confronted with a new trap--a motion crusher. On the opposite end of the pit ahead is a standard crusher, wait for it to start retracting and then quickly run and jump off the edge, then chain-swing to a ledge on the other side. If you're fast enough, the first crusher won't get you. Then, climb the ledge, waiting for the crusher to be safe, and jump up to the next ledge, and then the one after it. Directly above you is a beam, either jump up to it or move left along the ledge and jump from there. Then, jump to the right, wait for the two crushers, and then QUICKLY go to the upper right corner to smash pots for some much needed sand. Then turn left and descend the ladder to the bottom. Use the chain to pull out the block opposite you, then climb up the ladder to the level of the platform, jump to the platform, and quickly run toward and roll through the door. Phew! Get some more sand here, then run along the wall on the right and chain swing on the torch to make it to a ledge. Move left and jump up to a ledge above, then jump and chain-swing to the opposite ledge. Jump up to a ledge above, then jump right from beam to beam to reach the next platform. Head right through the doorway and turn left to reach a pool of the Water of Life, and become the Prince again. Go forward and head to your right to activate a cutscene, and reach the next area. --- R. The Balconies There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. The platform ahead of you has two enemies, wait until they turn around. Then, run along the right wall and initiate a Speed Kill to take out the Sand Archer. After that, Speed Kill the Sand Guard. Climb up the block on your left, and use the Landscape Camera. You have two options here. Either wait for him to move closer to you and then use the shutter to get a Speed Kill, or wait for him to move away from you and then use the shutter to jump to him, then perform a standard Speed Kill. Either way, run along the left wall and use the shutter to get to the next platform. From here, climb over the railing in front of you and then jump to the next platform. Climb over and Speed Kill the Sand Guard. Then climb over the railing that the Sand Guard was facing to the next platform, then run up the wall in front of you and stab into the plate. Then run to the left, and stab into the next plate, then do the same for the third plate. Then, run to the left and jump when you are alongside the chain. Descend the chain and Speed Kill the Sand Guard from there. Turn around and get on the beam, then move to the edge and jump to the chain in front of you. Descend the chain and wait. Wait until the two Guards are facing away from you and are close together, then execute the double Speed Kill. Look over the railing and you will see a Sand Gate Guard. Wait until he is facing away from you, then climb over the railing, drop, and Speed Kill him. Approach the Sand Gate to receive a new time power: The Eye of the Storm. The Eye of the Storm is a very useful power. By using it (tap L), you will slow down time for everything but yourself. By doing this you can make combat easier and can get through traps that would otherwise be impassable. After you get it, go back to the railing you jumped over. Run up the wall and climb over the railing. Follow the path until you are confronted by a gang of enemies. You will now have to use Free-Form Fighting to combat them. There are a total of four enemies, two Sand Guards and two Sand Archers. The same moves as before are effective, but now you can also slow down time to make the battle much easier. So, do that! If you run low on sand, you can always go back down to the street level to get more from the Sand Gate. Now you will have to get through the door at the bottom by using the pressure plate up here, opposite the door. To make it through, use the Eye of the Storm, then run up and press in the pressure plate. Then, turn around, jump down to the street level, and hurry through the door. Roll under the wood to reach the next area. --- S. The Dark Alley There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. From there, turn right and go into the light between the two walls. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then either one of the weapon racks to clear the way. Run up the wall and jump from wall to wall up to a plate at the top, then stab into the plate. Then run along the wall to the right. Turn right, run up the wall to a ledge, and climb the ladder to the top. Whoo! What a sight! Go forward and drop to the first rooftop. Birds will fly. Wait for a second, and don't rush the railing or the Sand Archer below will see you. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then drop when his back is turned and Speed Kill him. Take care so that the other Sand Archer across the way does not see you when you do it, however. Then, hide behind the railing until the other Sand Archer turns his back. Then jump over to the other building and Speed Kill him. Afterward, run up the wall in front of you to activate a cutscene. After the cutscene, hide behind the bushels of grain. Don't get too close to the railing in front of that, or the Sand Guard ahead will see you. From here, you should barely be able to make out his head. If you can't, use the camera. When he is turned, leap over the railing and Speed Kill him. From there, run up the wall ahead and stab into the plate. Then run to the left along the wall and stab into the next plate. Then run to the left along the wall to reach the next platform. You will now have to engage a Sand Archer and a Sand Guard in Free-Form Fighting. Engage them normally, keeping in mind that you can toss them off the roof if things get tough. After they are dealt with, jump to the next rooftop ahead of you. You will now have to engage two more Sand Guards in Free-Form Fighting. You can also use the column in the middle to do Column Attacks, so remember that. After you are done, a cutscene will appear. After the cutscene, move through the doorway and turn left at the wall. Go out on the beam and jump to the gap ahead. Slide down the gap, turn around, and jump out to stab into the plate. Then, run along the wall to the right to slide down the curtain. Follow the hallway to the end, then run up the wall on the right to reach the next platform. Run along the wall on the right to reach the curtain, then jump off the curtain when you are almost at the bottom to reach the next platform, before you fall to your death. Head through the doorway ahead, and turn left to get between the two walls. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run up the wall (don't go all the way in the back of the corridor, or there will be a ceiling to stop you) and jump from wall to wall until you reach a ledge. Shimmy along the ledge to the left until you reach a beam, then go to its edge and jump to the next platform. Turn right, and run along the wall on your left to make it over the pit. Then ascend the ladder on your left, and ascend the next ladder after that. Turn right, and there will be a cutscene. --- T. The Temple Rooftops There is a fountain here, use it if you wish (it's right behind you, in the darkness, and a little hard to see). Time for a new type of enemy--the Chameleons! These are mostly like Reptus, the big difference being that Chameleons are invisible until struck. Well, mostly invisible. You can make out their outlines if you're paying attention. They make a very loud, distinctive (and annoying) noise when they are around. You can engage them in Free-Form Fighting combat if you wish, there are five or so. After you drop down, head forward and around the big stone, circling to the right. On its right side, run up it and stab into the plate. Then, jump up to the ledge and shimmy to the right around one corner and then the other. Jump over to the column from here and ascend it. Then jump to the plate opposite you and stab into it. Then run along the wall to the right and jump off the shutter to activate a cutscene. From where you start, jump forward to reach the next platform. Careful, there is a Chameleon here. Kill him, then turn your attention toward the bell. We're going to have to pull (hold R and use the Control Stick) this back so you can reach the alcove above you. After pulling it, run up the wall to reach the alcove. Climb up, then run up the wall and stab into the plate switch to activate a cutscene. Drop out of the alcove, then get on the bell and from it, run along the right wall to reach the platform you first jumped on. Then enter the door before it closes. Turn right and jump over the pit to the ledge on the other side. Move right and then jump over and stab the plate opposite you. Then, run along the wall to the left to reach a ledge. Move left quickly before the ledge falls and jump opposite you to stab into a plate. Then run along the wall to the right to reach a ledge. Move all the way to the right, then jump and stab into the plate above. Then jump across to the plate switch opposite you and stab into it. Drop to the ledge below and quickly shimmy to the left. Then, climb up the ledge and jump to the ledge on the other side. Then quickly go to the right and jump up to the next ledge before yours disappears. From here, climb up on the ledge and move to the right. Then, jump up to the next ledge. Shimmy right, then drop down to the next ledge and move right. Then jump to and stab into the plate on the other side. Then run along the wall to the left and jump to the other side. Go forward and run up the wall to reach a ledge, then climb up and jump over to the next room. More Hunter Hounds. Man, I hate Hunter Hounds. Kill them as you did before. There are five in all. After they're all dead, go to your right and climb the small stone block. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the left wall, all the way around the curve until you are alongside the bar, then jump off to the bar. Swing-jump and stab into the plate switch. A platform will raise. Drop and run to the platform, and run up it to reach it. Climb up and run along the left wall, around the curve to reach the next platform. Then, run along the next left wall, around the curve and jump when you are alongside the bar to reach it. Climb up the bar, turn around, and jump to the wall. Climb the wall, and jump to the next wall in front of you, the one with a big dagger plate on it to reach a ledge. Move right along the ledge to reach a platform, and run up the wall to stab into the the plate. Then, run along the wall to the left and jump at the end to reach another bar. Swing-jump to the beam in front, and then wait. Turn the camera and wait until the Sand Guard at the window turns around, then jump to the platform past that. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then turn around and climb over the narrow railing. From there, jump to the beam, and then jump again to stab into a plate on the wall. Then run along the wall to the left and jump off the shutter to reach another plate, which you should stab into. Then, run along the wall to the left and stab into the next plate. From here, wait until the two Sand Guards below you get close together, then initiate the double Speed Kill. Then circle around the Sand Gate and Speed Kill the Sand Gate Guard. Go to the Sand Gate and receive a new Sand Tank. That makes five! Now, see the bell in this room? Imagine that the window next to the bell is due north. From there, take the bell to the southeast corner of the room. Get on the bell once you're there, and run up the wall to stab into the plate. Then jump up and stab into the next plate, and finally jump up and climb up to activate a cutscene. Climb over the rail ahead of you and jump to the rail on the other side. Then climb over and turn the crank. After you do that, go back over the rail and drop down. Get on the stone step, and then run up and stab into the plate. Then run along the wall to the right and stab into the next plate, then do the same for the third plate. Then, jump up to the open wall and climb up, then drop down on the other side. There are two cranks here--one on the right next to where your partner is, and one to the left. Pull the crank on the left, and then pull the one on the right to activate a cutscene. After that, pull the crank on the left to activate another cutscene. After that, pull the same crank to activate yet another cutscene. Oh, and also herald the return of more Hunter Hounds. I hate Hunter Hounds. There are four in all. After defeating them, go back to the wall you originally dropped down from, run up it, and drop back down into the bell tower. Then return to the very first crank you pulled, and pull it again to activate a cutscene. Push the bell under the plate switch, then get on the bell, run up the wall, and stab into the switch to activate a cutscene. You will need to stab into the switch again after the cutscene, and then climb up to the left and go through the door. In this room, move along the ledge to the left at the gap. Move along it to the end, then jump across and stab into the plate. Then run along the wall to the left to reach the next platform. Next, run up the wall and stab into the plate, jump up to reach a ledge, and climb it. Then move right around the corner and jump up to another ledge. Move around the next corner, line up with the next small ledge, and jump to it. Then jump to the plate and stab into it. Then run along the wall to the left to reach the next platform. Follow the hallway to reach the next area. --- U. The Temple There is a fountain in this room, use it if you wish. Opposite the fountain is a plate switch, run up the wall and stab it to open the door. Go through and all the way down the stairway to activate a cutscene. After the cutscene, you will transform into the Dark Prince. Climb over the railing and jump across to the opposite ledge. Drop to the beam below, then climb up and jump to the beam ahead. Wait for the screen to become distorted, then execute a Speed Kill on the Sand Guard below. Kill the Hunter Hound that comes up, then run along the left wall to reach the next platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then turn right and run along the left wall, and jump when you are alongside the bars, then chain-swing from the first bar to the second bar to the platform at the other end. Then turn to the left and run along the right wall, then jump at the end of the wall to reach a beam. Climb the beam and jump forward to the next beam. Then wait for the screen to become distorted, and then perform a Speed Kill on the Sand Guard below. Kill the Hunter Hounds that appear (there are two), then look to the stone ahead and use your chain to pull it out of the wall. After you do that, jump to the stone and climb it. Then, run up the wall on the right and jump at the apex of your run to reach the next platform. Turn right through the doorway. In the next room, drop into a hang off the edge of the platform, and shimmy right along the ledge. Use the chain to pull out the stone, then jump to the stone. From here, turn right and run along the wall, chain-swinging on the two torches and then jumping from the first shutter to the next shutter to finally reach the next platform. Go up and Speed Kill the Sand Guard ahead of you, and then double back and Speed Kill the Sand Guard behind you. Finally, kill the Hunter Hound that comes up. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then go through the archway and run along the right wall, chain-swing on the torch, and then jump at the end of the wall, and finally chain-swing to the next platform. From here, turn left and run along the right wall to the gap ahead. Jump and chain-swing to the next gap, then jump forward to reach the next platform. From there, turn left and run along the right wall to reach the next platform. Now, run up the left wall and jump to reach the next platform. From here, Speed Kill the Sand Guard ahead of you, then double back and Speed Kill the other. From here, go through the archway and turn right. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the right wall to reach a curtain. Slide down the curtain and jump right before you hit the bottom, then chain-swing to the next curtain. Slide all the way down to the floor. Now you will be forced to fight a number of Reptus. There is also a Sand Chest in here with 10 Sand Credits. Dispatch all the Reptus, then run on the pressure plate to open the door. Go through the door before it closes. The next room also has a pressure plate, step on it and a number of traps will appear. The first is a twirling blade, roll under it to the right. Then run past the two crushers when they retract, and finally roll past the last twirling blade on the right. If you activate the Eye of the Storm for this, it becomes a breeze. Run through the door at the end to find a pool of the Water of Life. You are now the Prince again. To your left is a crank. Pull it to drain the water. A new type of enemy will appear after you drain the water--the Illusion. The Illusions throw blades at you and constantly shift position, occasionally rushing you. To beat them easily, slow down time and then strike them repeatedly with the dagger. To the right of the crank's alcove there is an indented wall with a broken pillar in the foreground. Run up the wall and jump to said column, ascend, and then turn to the right and jump to the next column. From here, jump backward to reach the next platform. Turn to the left and run along the right wall, all the way around the curve, and then jump when you are alongside the bars. Climb up and then jump up to the bar above you, then swing-jump to the next bar. From here you can get another Life Upgrade, if you so desire. --- LIFE UPGRADE NUMBER THREE *OPTIONAL* From this bar, shimmy to the right and you should see a hole ahead of you. Swing-jump to the hole and climb through. Head forward to the edge of the platform, then run along the left wall to the curtain. Jump at the bottom of the curtain to reach the curtain on the other side, and slide down to the floor. Go forward, make a left, and drink from the fountain to start the Life Upgrade hallway. Run along the right wall to the shutter ahead, and jump from shutter to shutter all the way down the hall--there are nine shutters in total. At the end, you will encounter some crumbling columns, each separated by spinning blades. Wait for each blade to go down, and then jump to the next column. Do not hold the A button after the jump, as if you are still holding it at the end of the jump it can cause the column to fall prematurely. After you clear the last one and reach the platform, run into the light to get the Life Upgrade. To return to the initial room, turn around and head back the way you came, until you reach the end of the hallway. Then run up the wall to the left, step on the pressure plate, and enter the door to reach the room again. END LIFE UPGRADE NUMBER THREE --- Climb the bar and jump to the bar above you, then turn around. Swing-jump to the next bar, and follow that with a swing-jump to the room above. Run through the doorway. There is a crank in the room, use it to open the next door. Run through to the next room. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the right wall to reach the curtain. Jump at the bottom of the curtain to reach the next curtain, and slide all the way to the floor. Turn around and go through the doorway, and use the plate switch ahead of you to open the next door. Run through the door and follow the hallway to the next edge. Run along the right wall over the pit to reach the next platform. Ascend the ladder on your right to reach the next area. --- V. The Marketplace There is a fountain in this area, use it if you wish. Run forward to activate a cutscene. After the cutscene, turn to the left and keep to the right as you run until you reach the edge of the platform. Run along the left wall and jump at the end of the wall to reach the next ledge. Climb up, move right along the ledge around both corners, then jump to the gap on the right. Slide down the gap and turn around, then jump forward to the beam in front of you. Wait for the Sand Guards below you to get close together, and then execute the double Speed Kill. Turn around and go to the end of the hallway to find a wicker basket. Pull the basket back with you to the pressure plate to open the door at the end of the alley. Run through the door and follow the hallway. At the end, run up the wall, climb up, and move onto the beam ahead. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then move to the edge of the beam and jump to the column ahead. Then, jump to the next column in front of that. Look down and make sure that the patrolling Sand Guard is just turning away from you. There are two other Sand Creatures here, a Sand Guard and a new type of Sand Creature: the Thrall. The Thrall is lighter colored, has extremely disturbing attire, and takes a whopping five matches of visual cues to Speed Kill. It is also quite resilient, though sustained combinations in Free-Form Fighting will bring it down. Turn toward the Thrall and execute a Speed Kill on it from above. After killing it, run up the wall opposite the column and stab into the plate, then quickly jump to the column and ascend it. Jump to the other opposite wall and stab into the plate, then wait for the Sand Guards to get close together. When they are close, execute the double Speed Kill. Behind you is a wicker basket surrounded by a bunch of objects. Break the objects, then drag the wicker basket away from the wall to the wall on the other side. Climb on the basket and use it to jump up the wall and climb to the next platform. Move onto the beam ahead, jump forward and stab into the plate. From there, run along the wall to the right, jump from the first shutter to the second shutter, and then stab into the next plate. Wait until the two Sand Guards below get close together, then execute the double Speed Kill. Turn around and go to the end of the alley, run up the wall at the end, and stab into the plate switch to activate the next cutscene. After the cutscene, push the wicker basket forward onto the pressure plate, then turn around and stand on the next pressure plate to open the door. Quickly roll through the door before it closes. Follow the alley to the end and ascend the ladder. From there, move forward and run up the wall, then stab into the plate. Jump up to the ledge above from there, then shimmy left around the corner. Climb up the ledge and jump up to the next platform. Move to the edge of the platform, and run along the left wall, jumping on the shutter at the end. This will propel you to a plate, which you should stab into. Run along the wall to the right to reach a ledge, then move right around the corner. Jump and stab into the plate across from you, then run along the wall to the left, jumping at the end to reach a beam. Jump forward to the next beam, and jump from there to stab into a plate. Run along the wall to the left, and jump from the first shutter to the second shutter to a plate to stab into. From there run left along the wall to reach another beam. Climb up on the beam and move left so that you line up with the plate on the next wall, then jump and stab into it. Run along the wall to the left to reach the next platform, and shimmy left and climb up onto it. Follow the hallway to the next area. --- W. The Market District Go forward and drop off the right edge of the platform. Run along the wall on the right and jump when you are opposite the ledge on the left. Drop into a hang, and move around the corner. Then drop and stab into the plate below, then run along the wall to the right and stab into the plate. Then jump up to the ledge above and move around the corner to activate a cutscene. Climb up, then move to the beam on the right. Jump to the gap and slide down, then turn around. Wait until the patrolling Sand Guard turns away from you, then Speed Kill the Thrall. Quickly climb up the ladder in front of you to reach the next platform. Jump across to the ledge on the next side, then shimmy to the left and around the corner. Drop down to the beam below, then wait until the two Sand Guards are close together. When they are, execute the double Speed Kill. After that, move to the right and stab the plate switch to open the door. Slow down time and run through the door before it closes. Head to the end of the hallway and run up the wall to the next platform. Move out to the beam and jump to the next beam. Wait until all the enemies in the background turn their backs to you, then Speed Kill the Sand Guard below you. Immediately and VERY quickly turn to the right, climb up the canvassed rubble, and run up the wall to stab into the plate. Then, run along the wall to the left and stab into the next plate. Wait until the Sand Guard on the right turns around, then Speed Kill the Sand Guard below you, followed by immediately climbing back on the rubble, running up the wall, and stabbing into the same plate as before. Finally, run along the wall to the left, stab into the plate, and wait for the screen to become distorted--when it does, execute the Speed Kill on the Sand Guard below. Finally, circle around the left side and Speed Kill the Sand Gate Guard. Go to the Sand Gate to receive 150 Sand Credits. Go forward and pull out the wicker basket on the left to activate a cutscene. Then push the wicker basket to the opposite wall, climb on the basket, run up the wall and stab the plate switch. Then slow down time, and go through the door before it closes. Follow the hallway and ascend the ladder on the right. Go to the next edge of the platform, and run along the wall on the right, and jump from shutter to shutter in order to trigger another cutscene and reach the next area. --- X. The Bowery There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. Go to the edge of the platform and run along the wall to your left, and jump at the end to reach a ledge on the other side. Climb up, jump to the next ledge, then shimmy to the left and climb up to the next platform with a Sand Archer. Speed Kill it quickly. Climb over the railing and jump to the beam. Climb up and jump to the ledge ahead, then shimmy to the right. Then drop, turn to the right, and head forward to trigger a cutscene. Now we're the Dark Prince. Oh, man. Climb over the railing and jump forward, then chain-swing to reach the ledge on the other side. Drop down to the floor, then battle the Illusion enemies here. There is also a chest here with 10 Sand Credits. Kill them all, then climb up the ledge on the right side of the other wall. Jump and climb up to the next ledge, and then jump back and chain-swing to reach a beam. Jump from the beam to the next platform. Go through the door to your right and go forward to the wall. Turn on the Eye of the Storm, then run on the pressure plate and quickly go through the door when it opens. Turn left, use the Landscape Camera if you wish, and then head forward and over the railing. Drop down to the curtain, and slide down to the floor. Now we get to fight a new type of enemy. Yippee. -_- The Enchantress is a tough cookie. They are impossible to Grab Throw, so don't even try it. In fact, they are immune to all grab moves. They are extremely good defenders, and have no discernable attributes to exploit. However, they are physically weaker than your average Sand Creature. So if you slow down time and then attack them, you will hit them more often and thus kill them more effectively. Still, be prepared to be annoyed by these things. And of course, they can only be engaged in Free-Form Fighting--no Speed Kills for you. A final note--many Enchantresses do not give Sand. Be very wary as the Dark Prince. Also, since you are the Dark Prince right now, they're not exactly that tough. Slaughter them. After they are dead, a trio of Illusions will appear, kill them to get some much-needed sand. Head around the pillar until you see a column, jump on the column, and ascend it. Jump toward the stone pillar to the left to grab a ledge, then shimmy left around the corner. Climb up, then jump and climb up to the next ledge. There is a Sand Archer on the opposing platform, jump to it and Speed Kill him. Next, run along the wall on the right to reach the next platform. Turn left to see a pair of Enchantresses, kill them both. Then head forward, turn left, and jump to reach the next platform, but do NOT climb over the railing. There is a Sand Archer here--wait until he comes out, then hop over the railing and Speed Kill him as well. Head through the doorway. Go forward and into the upper left alcove. Run up either wall of the alcove and jump from wall to wall to reach the next level. Go through the next doorway. There is a Sand Archer on the other side of the level, make sure to avoid or block his arrows. Turn the crank on the right side, then run along the left wall, jump, and use the chain-swing to get to the next platform. Go through the door on your left, kill the Sand Archer, and head through the next door and over the rail to reach a pool of the Water of Life. We are now the Prince again. Huzzah! Head forward and over the railing. Turn left. You will be confronted with a number of small spinning blades. Stand in the middle, wait until the blades are passing through the center, and then quickly roll past them all. For the next group of mini-blades, pick either the left side or right side and wait for the row of blades to move away from you, then run toward them and move to the opposite side when the other row of blades passes you, then run toward the end wall. Run up the wall and stab into the plate, then jump up to the ledge above. Jump up again to reach another ledge, then jump up again to reach the platform above. Move forward to activate the next cutscene. If you like, turn around and go back to the floor below, then smash the weapon rack to get a secondary weapon for the upcoming boss battle. Then go back up, and run up the wall to reach the next area. --- Y. The Brothel There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. From the fountain, run to the right and we will face our second boss of the game. From observing the credits, I think I have discerned her name, but I could be mistaken. If I am, I apologize, and please contact me if you know this boss' real name. --- Boss: Mahasti There will be a short cutscene. Enjoy it while it lasts. Mahasti is a boss in the vein of the one-on-one battles found in the previous game, Warrior Within--specifically, that of Shahdee. Mahasti has a myriad of moves. The first and most devastating health-wise is her long combo strike. However, the strike is easily blocked and can be countered as well. But perhaps even more deadly is her kick, which while not very strong physically and also slow, can bypass the block and kick the Prince right off the rooftop to his doom. Mahasti also has a nasty little habit of blocking most attacks and even countering counter-strikes. So, what do we do? The most effective move against her in this first state is the Aerial Landing Slash, so use it at will against her. The Counter-Attack is effective too, as well as any slow-motion combinations. Be warned, however, try to save your sand for the upcoming portion of the battle. Eventually you will lock your blades, a la Warrior Within. Press B repeatedly to drive her back, and continue fighting. Eventually you will lock your blades again, and she will inevitably overpower you. This will force a change into the Dark Prince, heralding the second half of the battle. As the Dark Prince, now you can easily tear Mahasti to pieces. So, in a very predictable fashion, she will now flee you whenever you approach her. The idea is to chase her around the buildings and activate slow-motion when you see her so that you can get in a lot of hits before she runs away again, and beat her this way. Of course, you'll be dying during this, so in between her buildings are buildings with Illusion enemies. Make sure to kill them each time to both get the sand for slowing time and for replenishing health. When she gets to critical health, she will jump one last time and you will have to fight her and kill her in one last blade clash. Overpower Mahasti with pressing B rapidly and you will prove the superior warrior. Not too bad, right? --- Z. The Plaza Hurry on through the doorway at the other end of the rooftops and smash the pot to the right to get some sand. Jump from the edge of the platform to the curtain, then jump at the bottom to reach a ledge. Move right along the ledge past the corner, then jump to reach the next platform. Follow the hallway, smash the pot to get some sand along the way, and at the edge of the platform jump to the ledge across from you. Climb up, jump and climb up to the ledge above, then move right along the corner. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then jump and chain-swing to a beam. Jump from the beam forward to the next platform. Smash the objects for sand, then turn to the left and run along the wall to the right, and jump from shutter to shutter to reach a ledge. Shimmy right along the ledge, drop down, then move right to reach the platform. Run along the wall to your left and chain-swing on the torch to reach the next platform. Turn right and you will be forced to fight a group of Thralls and Reptus in Free-Form Fighting. After defeating them all, head to the upper left corner from where you came in, use the Landscape Camera if you wish, and then run up the wall, jump, and chain-swing to the beam above. Move along the beam to reach the next platform. Turn around, then run along the wall to the right, chain swing from the torch, and jump from shutter to shutter to reach a ledge. Shimmy right along the ledge and around the corner, then jump to the next platform. Smash the objects for sand, then climb into the window. Go right, then left, and use the Landscape Camera if you wish. Then run along the wall to the right, and jump to chain-swing to another ledge. Shimmy right along the ledge, then jump and chain-swing to a suspended chain. Descend the chain to the bottom and Speed Kill the Sand Guard beneath. Then, drop from the chain and sneak up on the other Sand Guard to Speed Kill him. After that, go to the left and run up the wall to hit the pressure plate. Run through the open door to your right before it closes. Now, go forward and hide behind in the alcove on the left just before the alley's corner. Wait there, and eventually a Sand Guard will come, Speed Kill him when he passes you. Then turn left around the corner, roll under the hole, and make another left. Smash the obstacles, make one more left, and turn again through the doorway to reach a pool of the Water of Life. We are finally the Prince again. Phew. --- AA. The Upper City There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. There is a wooden structure in the upper left corner, climb it to the midsection, and then run along the wall to the left, jumping at the end to reach the next platform. Pull the crank ahead of you, then jump back off to the floor. Pull the wooden structure along the grooves in the floor all the way to the end, then climb to the beam on top of it and jump back to the platform again. Pull the crank back in position, jump back to the beam, and jump to the new gap ahead of you. Climb the gap, turn around, and jump across to the next level of beams. Follow the center beam to the end, then jump to the next gap. Climb the gap, then turn and jump to yet another set of beams. Below are two Sand Guards. Get directly above the one on the left when he is closest to the one on the right, and initiate the double Speed Kill. Next, push the crank. Run away from it toward the gap and jump to grab the ledge above the newly opened door, wait until the patrolling Sand Guard turns away from you, then drop to his level and Speed Kill him. Go through the door, turn to the left, and run along the wall on the right to the shutter, jumping from shutter to shutter to shutter to reach the next platform. Go through the next doorway to activate a cutscene. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then go to the edge of the platform, run along the left wall, and jump at the end to reach a beam. From there, jump to the suspended chain and descend to the ground. A group of Reptus will attack you. Kill them all, then run up the wall with the pressure plate and go through the door it opens. In the next alley, go forward and quickly Speed Kill the Sand Guard ahead. Then turn around and run up the left wall to a ledge above, and jump from this ledge across to another. Climb up the ledge and move to the right to reach the next platform. Turn right, then run along the left wall and jump from shutter to a beam, and jump from this beam to the next one. Wait for the Sand Guards below to get very close together, then execute the double Speed Kill. Go forward, use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then ascend the ladder on the right. Jump left and back again from wall to wall to reach the next platform above. Turn around and face the edge of the platform, and then jump from the wall ahead to the beam above. Then, climb from the base of the beam to the next platform above. Go to the edge of the platform and run along the wall to your left to a beam, then jump from the beam to a platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then turn right and move to the ledge ahead of you. Drop from this ledge to the next and the next, then move left to reach the next platform. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the wall to the right and jump from shutter to shutter to a ledge. Move to the right, wait for the screen to distort, then perform a Speed Kill on the Sand Guard below. Move up to the wall, turn right, approach the edge of the platform, run along the wall on your left, and jump on the shutter to reach the next platform. Run along the wall on your left and jump at the end to reach a beam. Move out to the end of the beam and wait. When the two Sand Guards are close together and the Sand Gate Guard is turning away, drop into a hang and execute the double Speed Kill. Then, quickly move forward and Speed Kill the Sand Gate Guard as well. Use the Sand Gate to obtain the Winds of Sand Power, an attack that allows you to knock back enemies with sand (tap L while holding R). Each Winds of Sand attack uses two Sand Tanks. Move forward to the wall with a pressure plate, and run up it to open the door. Then slow down time and quickly run through the door. Head through the hallway, climb over the railing, and smash the objects ahead to reveal a wicker basket. Drag the basket out of the alcove, to the left, and forward to the wall ahead. Then, climb the basket, run up the wall, and climb over it. Move forward and drop down, then turn right and head to the end of the hall. Jump up the stone, run up the wall ahead, and stab into the plate. From there, run to the left, jump, and stab into the next plate. Jump up to the ledge, then shimmy right to reach the next area. --- AB. The City Gardens There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. Head through the doorway to the edge of the platform, and jump across to the bar ahead. Swing-jump forward and stab into the plate ahead, then run right along the wall and stab into the next plate. Drop to the ledge, move right around the corner, then climb up and jump to the next ledge. Shimmy to the right until you are above a beam, then drop to the beam, jump across to the next beam, then jump and climb up to the ledge above. Move right around the corner and jump across to the next beam. Then, jump up and stab into the plate, followed by running along the wall to the right and stabbing into the next plate. Then run along the wall to the right to reach a platform. Birds will fly, alarming a Sand Guard above. Wait for him to calm down, then jump up to his level when his back his turned and perform a Speed Kill. Hop over the rail ahead and jump to the bar away from you. From there, swing-jump to the next platform and run off the front edge into a hang. Then, shimmy to the right around the corner and drop down to the next ledge. From this ledge, jump to the left to the opposite ledge and drop into a hang. Shimmy to the right as far as you can, then climb up and jump over to the tree, which functions as a column. Slide down and jump to the next tree, and jump from tree to tree to tree, finally ending with a jump to the ledge ahead of you. Wait for two Sand Guards to move below the ledge and close to each other, then execute the double Speed Kill over them. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish. From there, move around the left side of the stone pillar and Speed Kill the next Sand Guard, and then the one right after him. Go back to that stone pillar run up the wall with the plate switch, and stab into it. Drop and move between the pillar and the wall, and jump from wall to wall back up to the ledge. Retrace your steps back past the trees and to the ledge on the great stone pillar that you jumped to the trees from. Shimmy all the way to the left, and drop down to the beam below at the end. Jump from this beam to the one on the opposite side, and jump up to the ledge above. Shimmy all the way to the left, then climb up and jump across to a ledge on the left. Shimmy left, then drop and stab into the plate below. Then drop to the floor. From this platform, turn right and head out onto the beam. Turn right here, and jump from beam to beam until you reach the wall. Move right past the corner, and then jump backward to the bar. Climb up the bar, then jump and climb up the bar above it, and finally turn around and jump toward the wall. Climb up onto the beam and move up the center one. Jump from it to the tree ahead, then slide down midway and jump to the beam across from you. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then jump and stab into the plate across the way. Run along the wall to the right and stab into the next plate, then run to the right to reach a beam. Drop into a hang off the beam, then wait for the Sand Guard farthest away from you to just turn around--when he does, execute a Speed Kill on the Sand Gate Guard. After killing him, quickly run off the platform behind you and drop into a hang. Shimmy to the left behind the statue, then wait for the Sand Guard in the background to turn around. When he does, shimmy left, climb up, and Speed Kill the closest guard, and then quickly go and Speed Kill the last guard. The Sand Gate is now open. Step on it to claim your prize, the final Sand Tank. Six in all, baby. Opposite the Sand Gate is a stone pillar, run up it and stab the plate switch. Then head to the tree, ascend it, and jump to the beam at the left when you reach the top. Move forward and jump to the newly risen rooftop, then jump forward to the ledge across from there. Move left, then drop to the beam below and jump to the beam across from there. Then jump and climb up to the above ledge, and move all the way right. From here, jump to the ledge on the right, and then move right and drop to the ledge below that. Wait until the two Sand Guards are close together and the patrolling one is nearest you, then execute the double Speed Kill. From here, turn right to the edge of the platform. Run along the left wall to the bar, shimmy right, swing-jump to the ledge on the opposite side, and move all the way right. When the two Sand Guards are close together and the patrolling one is closest to you, execute the double Speed Kill. Now, drop down to the floor below you, a cutscene will ensue. Get ready now, it's time for a miniboss. --- Miniboss: Stone Guardian Seemingly plucked from the lumbering giants in Warrior Within, this semi-boss is another homage to that game. He has many of the moves those enemies had, including the same types of punches, rushes, and even walking style. Or maybe I'm just going nuts. Either way, he's a real pushover. Circle behind him, slash at his legs a few times, and he'll fall over. Press B while facing his back and the Prince will get on him, a visual cue will ensue, and matching it will make the Prince begin to ride him through the gardens. Now comes the real challenge. You'll have to guide this brute through the corridors without crashing--if you do, he'll come tumbling back down on you, and that's no good. One hit kill. >_< So navigate him much like the chariot. He can brush off sideswipes, but he can't take a full-on collision. For your information, you will need to: -Turn right and bash through a door -Turn left -Turn right -Turn right again -Turn left -Turn right -Turn left -Turn right -Turn right again -Turn right yet again -Turn left -Turn left again -Turn right -Turn right again -Turn left -Bash through the door ahead And that's that. Really easier done than said, actually. After it, ascend the ladder on the right to reach the next area. --- AC. The Canal There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. There is also a Life Upgrade nearby, if you so desire it. --- LIFE UPGRADE NUMBER FOUR *OPTIONAL* From the fountain, turn right and roll through the hole ahead. Turn left and move along the ledge on the right wall. Move all the way left, then drop to the next ledge and continue left, then drop to the platform below. Turn left at the next platform and move along the ledge on the right wall. Move all the way left and then jump across to the ladder on the other side. Descend the ladder and jump across to the platform, then move forward to find the fountain. Drink from it to start the Life Upgrade hallway. Go forward and turn left to find your first set of traps, bladed columns combined with spiked floors. Stand to the right, wait until the columns move left and up respectively, then quickly roll past the set of traps. Make a right and move to the edge of the platform. For the next trap consisting of spinning blades along the wall, wait until the first blade clears the upper half of the trap and then run along the left wall to the opposite platform. The next trap is a set of bladed columns with a floor of spikes between them. Pick a side to cross on, then simply wait for the first column to move away and run through the set of traps. The last trap is a simple spinning blade, wait for it to go down and then run toward the light to gain the Life Upgrade. END LIFE UPGRADE NUMBER FOUR --- From the fountain, turn left and head forward to the end of the hall. Jump up to the stone platform, use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run up the left wall and jump from wall to wall to reach the platform high above. Make a left there, and make another to reach the edge. Run along the wall on the right to reach a ledge on the other side. Then move left, jump to the ladder on the other side, and descend to the bottom. Jump from there to the ledge across from you, move all the way right, then jump back to the bar across the pit. Swing-jump from it to the next area. --- AD. The Promenade There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. Head forward, make a left, and head down the hallway to Speed Kill the Thrall at the end. If that's too risky for you (WTF?), you can always hop on the wooden crate in the alley, jump to the bar above, and swing-jump to the next bar before climbing up it and waiting for the Speed Kill. Either way, just kill the bastard. Afterward, grab the wicker basket to the right (it's an unusual dull brown), and drag it to the upper left corner of the alley so that it's positioned at the edge of the platform along the right wall. Climb on the basket, run along the right wall, and jump from wall to wall until you grab the platform above. However, do NOT climb the platform. Wait for the Thrall to turn around, then climb up and Speed Kill him. After dispatching of him, run up the wall with the pressure plate to activate the lowering of the right wall. Turn around, go to the edge of the platform, run along the right wall to the shutter, and jump from it to the ledge ahead. Move right around the corner, then jump and climb up to the next ledge. Next, jump from wall to wall to reach the platform above. Use the Landscape Camera if you must, then run along the wall to the right and jump from shutter to shutter to reach the next platform. Climb over the rail and head forward to activate a cutscene. The Dark Prince...again?!? Yes, it's true. Swallow your pride and let's get on with it. Move forward and jump toward the suspended chain. Descend the chain. To deal with the Thrall, either jump down after him and Speed Kill him normally, or wait for him to come back and Speed Kill him from above. Either way, kill him and then dispatch the two Hunter Hounds that appear. To your right just outside the doorway is a plate switch, stab it. Then move to the edge of the platform ahead, run along the right wall while chain-swinging from the torch, and reach the curtain. Jump at the bottom of the curtain, and chain-swing to the next platform. There are three Enchantresses and a Hunter Hound here, kill them all. Then move to the upper right and stab the plate switch. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the wall to the right, chain-swing, and jump from shutter to shutter to shutter to a platform with a Thrall. Kill him quickly. Turn left, use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the right wall to jump from shutter to shutter to shutter, and chain-swing at the end to reach the next platform. There are two Thralls here and a Hunter Hound, kill them all. Then turn left and run along the right wall to the next platform. To the right on the platform is a plate switch, stab it. From there, turn around and climb the beam, and jump from the beam to the newly risen rooftop. Jump from the rooftop to the platform ahead, and then run up the upper left wall on the platform, jumping at the apex of your run to reach the next roof. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the left wall, jump when you are alongside the bar, and chain-swing twice to reach the next platform. Move to the ledge on the right side, drop into a hang, and shimmy to the right. Use the chain to pull out the stone block, jump to it, then run along the wall on the left to a ladder. Descend the ladder, pull out the stone block at the bottom, and jump to the block. Turn left, run along the wall to the right, and jump at the end of the wall to land in a pool of the Water of Life. We are the Prince again. Finally! ^_^ Turn right and jump up the ledge, then leap over the railing to the next platform. Climb over the railing on the left and jump to the bar ahead. Then, swing-jump from bar to bar until you reach a beam, and head out to the end of the beam and jump to the suspended chain. Descend the chain. Wait in suspension until the Thrall is below you and the Sand Gate Guard has just turned away, then execute the Speed Kill on him. After killing him, quickly duck behind the wooden edifice and run up it to reach the ledge above. Climb up, then jump and climb over the railing to reach the top of the structure. Use the Landscape Camera to get a view of the Sand Gate Guard on the second level. When he moves close to the edge, run along the wall on the left, jump off the first shutter, and then use the second shutter to initiate a Speed Kill on him. There is a Sand Chest up here, smash it to get 10 Sand Credits. After that, turn left from the crate, run up the stone, and climb it to the top. Turn around and run along the left wall to reach the beam on the opposite side. Move right and line up with the suspended chain, then jump to it and descend to the bottom. Wait on the chain until the Sand Gate Guard turns away, then do the Speed Kill on the Thrall below you. After it, quickly run to the left behind the large wall in the center to avoid detection. Run up the wall and climb up to the top, then go right and jump to the beam across the way. Wait for the screen to distort, then perform a Speed Kill on the Sand Gate Guard. All done. Go to the Sand Gate to recieve a prize of 200 Sand Credits. Circle around left now to find the doorway, and pass through it. Climb over the stone and follow the hallway until you see a hall of crushers with miniature spinning blades suspended above them. To pass them, simply wait for the first crusher to retract and then move down the hallway normally, weaving through the crushers as quickly as possible in order to avoid death. It's not as hard as it sounds. Continue down the hallway to reach the next area. --- AE. The Royal Workshop There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. From the fountain, turn right and stab the plate switch, then drop to trigger a cutscene. Time for the biggest puzzle in the game. And yeah, it can be the most annoying as well, if you don't know what you're doing. From the beginning, run forward toward the statue. There is a column to the left of the statue, jump to it and ascend. Jump to the platform on the left, then run up the wall and jump to reach the bar above. Turn around and shimmy left, then climb up to the platform. From there go left and jump up to the ledge on the left. Shimmy left past the two corners, then jump across to the ledge on the other side. From there, shimmy left and then climb onto the platform. You can use the Landscape Camera from virtually anywhere in this massive room. This is to help determine the location of the statue, which will eventually be moved all the way to the end of this room. Ahead and to your right is a crank and a plate switch. The crank controls the direction of the plate switch, and each time the plate switch is used the action the crank determines happens. This plate switch controls the swiveling of the statue, and the crank determines whether it swivels left or right. It's fine where it is right now. Climb the ladder to the left cross the bridge, and descend the ladder to find the plate switch that controls the lateral movement of the statue. The plate switch makes the action happen, while the crank determines whether the statue moves forward or backward. This is also fine how it is for now. In fact, go ahead and stab the plate switch right now to get a jump start on this puzzle. Head back to the switch that controls swivel movement and stab that to make the statue turn right now. Then, stab it again to make the rotation 180 degrees. Go back to the lateral movement switch and stab it again, which will send the statue going down the hallway some more. Then stab it yet again, which will send it going down even farther. Now, go to the switch that controls swivel movement and stab it again. The statue should turn some more. Now, go to the crank that controls lateral movement and turn it. Then stab the switch, and the statue should go back a little. Turn back to the switch that controls swivel movement again and stab it. The statue should be facing forward again. Then go back to the crank that controls lateral movement and turn it. Then stab the switch, and the statue should move forward some. Now, go back to the switch that controls swivel movement and stab it again. The statue will turn to the right again. Head to the switch that controls lateral movement, and stab it. We're nearly there. Go to the crank now that controls swivel movement and pull it. Then stab the switch that controls swivel movement. The statue should be facing forward. Finally, go back to the switch that controls lateral movement one more time and stab it to end this area. --- AF. The King's Road Time for another chariot sequence. However, this one is much more demanding. Weave down the street and slash the first Sand Guard that jumps on the chariot. Another will jump on soon after, slash him as well. A third will jump on after that...well, you know what to do (slash him). After the third Sand Guard a ramp will appear that will take you into a series of caves. A chariot will appear on the right shortly after you enter the caves. Do not let it force you into the left wall and eventually ram it into the right wall or let it crash itself trying to kill you. A gap is up ahead, remember to avoid the divider between the paths directly after it. There is a bridge directly after it you must cross, followed by yet another divider to avoid. Continue on and out of the caves, then continue over another ramp and toward another hazard of passages within building walls. Jump the first gap on the left (but not ALL the way to the left) and the second gap on the right (but not ALL the way to the right). Continue and a cutscene/scripted event will ensue, driving you to the left path and through a wooden door. Continue on undeterred, jumping the next gap on the left and the one after it on the right. After a few halls barricades will be in your way. Pass the first one on the right, slash the Sand Guard that jumps on your chariot, and pass the next one on the right as well, followed by passing the third one on the left. Slash the Sand Guard that jumps on directly after this, then pass the next barricade on the left, then the next on the right, and then the one after that on the left. Continue on until you reach the last stretch, where two guards jump on your chariot while you have to weave through stone in the middle, on the left, and then the right. Go on a bit more and the chariot sequence ends. Yay! ...now time for the real fight. --- Boss: The Twins Okay, this is a boss fight with two bosses. The one on the left with the sword I call Blade. The one on the right with the axe I call Axe. Hey, I'm not here to entertain you, I'm here to help you! Each of them has more than their fair share of standard attack. Axe can swing his weapon surprisingly quickly, has a decent jab and a boot counter. He's also invincible defensively. So, suffice to say, we're going to be focusing our attention more on Blade. Blade has a few sword combos up his sleeve, along with some devastating lunge attacks. He has power attacks capable of breaking through your block with ease, and will counter any and all forms of unconventional attack. So, how do you beat these expert duo of cheese techniques? The secret is to constantly attack Blade with your dagger's standard B combos. Doing so will prompt Axe to leap into the air with a chop. If you get hit it's all for nothing, but if you roll out of the way he will get his axe stuck in the ground with comical effect, and you are free to pummel him with dagger combos to your heart's content... ...with a catch. The real danger lies here, as Blade will be attacking ferociously to protect his partner. You have to attack Axe to win, but doing so leaves you with the risk of suffering serious damage. Stay as far away from Blade as you can when you attack Axe. Rolling around Axe to keep him between you and Blade is effective, and vault over him if you're really in a pinch. When Axe recovers, start smacking Blade again to provoke him into doing the same leaping chop. Dodge, rinse, and repeat. When you take away about a third of health from Axe, you will get a prompt for a Speed Kill. Match with two visual cues to clear the first phase of the battle and take both enemies down to around half health. Continue this same pattern. When Axe is nearly out of health, another prompt for a final Speed Kill will commence. Match the two visual cues to finish the two and end the boss battle. --- Time for a long, kick-ass cutscene. Watch, enjoy, and get ready for the final stretch of the game. We start out in this next section as the Dark Prince. Goodie. Thralls and Enchantresses galore will engage you, and you must tear through them all to proceed in the largest mandatory Free-Form Fighting section yet. After defeating them all, head forward through the door and to the wall ahead. Smash the objects on the left and run up the wall on the left side to grab the ledge. Then shimmy to the right and climb over at the end. Run forward to reach a pool of the Water of Time. The Prince again. So soon? Head up the stairs, run up the wall, and climb over to reach the next area. --- AG. The Palace Entrance There is a fountain here, use it if you wish. Turn right and head forward to activate a cutscene. To the left there is a Sand Chest with 10 Sand Credits. To the right there is the edge of the platform; from there run along the wall on the right and jump off the shutter at the end to reach a ledge. Jump across from the ledge to reach a gap, climb the gap, and turn around at the top. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then jump acros the gap to the next platform. Push the crank to open the door, then head through and turn left. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then turn left again, hang over the edge of the platform, and jump across to the curtain. Jump at the bottom to reach the ledge on the opposite side, then drop into a hang and shimmy to the left to reach the next platform. Run up the wall on the left to reach a ledge. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then jump right from wall to wall and climb up to the platform above. There are two Sand Guards you must engage in Free-Form Combat, dispatch of them at will. Afterward, move to the edge of the platform on the left. Use the Landscape Camera if you wish, then run along the wall on the right and jump midway to reach the bar in the middle of the room. Swing-jump up to the next bar, and swing-jump fro