Bloody Hell, Game Pass! Did We Just See One of 2024's Best Games Leak Early?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Xbox Game Pass appears to have accidentally (or 'accidentally') leaked the impending arrival of *Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown*, one of 2024's highest-rated Metroidvanias, before swiftly pulling the listing – a delightful bit of digital chaos that could be brilliant news for subscribers looking for top-tier games.
Right, so imagine you're brewing a potion, right? You chuck in some rare ingredients, murmur a few incantations, and then *poof!* – a bit of smoke clears, and you see something utterly brilliant, but maybe a touch ahead of schedule. That, my mates, is the vibe I'm getting from the latest Xbox Game Pass kerfuffle. It seems Game Pass just had one of those 'accidentally revealed the next big thing' moments, and frankly, it's wilder than it first appeared.
According to a recent dispatch from Game Rant, expertly penned by Dominik Bošnjak, folks spotted *Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown* casually chilling in the 'Recently added' section of the Xbox PC app's Game Pass. This isn't just some random rumour whispered in a dark alley; we're talking about an *official* listing. But here's the kicker, the classic 'oopsie-daisy' move: it vanished faster than my last leftover pizza. Pulled faster than a rogue spell gone wrong, leaving us all scratching our heads and wondering, 'Was that real, or did I just hallucinate one of 2024's highest-rated games?'
Now, if you haven't been living under a particularly large, gaming-ignorant rock, *Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown* isn't just *any* game. Ubisoft Montpellier cooked this one up, and it landed in January 2024 with the kind of critical acclaim that makes other developers weep happy tears. We're talking 'Mighty' rating on OpenCritic, an average score of 87, and a stonking 96% reviewer recommendation rate. PlayStation and Xbox stores give it over 4 stars, and Steam users are throwing 'Very Positive' reviews at it like confetti. Fair dinkum, no matter how you slice it, this game is a proper gem. It's a Metroidvania that surprised everyone with its tight controls, brilliant level design, and a real return to form for a beloved franchise, managing to capture the spirit of classic Prince of Persia while forging its own identity.
So, what gives? Why would a game this well-received suddenly (or prematurely) land on a subscription service? Well, it's not the first time Ubisoft has played this card. *Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown* already made its debut on PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium back in March 2025 – (blimey, time flies, doesn't it?). This isn't just altruism from Ubisoft; it's a clever play for that long-tail revenue. See, while the game was a critical darling, Ubisoft did mention it 'underperformed initial expectations' despite selling 1.3 million units in its first year. Publishers, bless their cotton socks, always want more, more, more. Licensing a high-quality, single-player game to subscription services is a fantastic way to keep those revenue streams flowing long after launch, reaching players who might have missed it the first time around or were just waiting for a value proposition. It's like finding extra gold in a chest you thought you'd already looted, giving the game a second wind and a whole new audience.
And for Game Pass specifically, this is a massive boost for their Metroidvania catalogue. We've seen *The Rogue Prince of Persia* – the roguelite spin-off – get shadow-dropped onto the service recently, which was a neat little trick. But *The Lost Crown*? That would double the Prince of Persia representation on the service, bringing a truly top-tier entry to the party. It really solidifies Game Pass's position as a place where you can discover critically acclaimed titles, expanding beyond just the typical first-party offerings. It's a win for players who love the genre, and let's be honest, who doesn't love a good Metroidvania? The intricate maps, the satisfying progression, the discovery of new powers – it’s like solving a really satisfying puzzle, but with more wall-jumping and mystical combat.
Now, the fact that it was pulled? That's the Jeff-approved layer of mystique. Was it a genuine accident? Some poor soul clicked the wrong button, setting off a digital alarm? Or, (and my inner digital wizard loves this theory), was it a bit of a strategic 'leak'? A low-key way to gauge interest, build some organic buzz, before the official announcement? We've seen weirder things in this industry, mate. It wouldn't be the first time a company 'accidentally' spilled the beans to get everyone talking. Either way, it means we're all looking at September 30th – when *Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light* is officially added, and *Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection* leaves – with a fresh set of eyes, wondering if that's when the genie truly pops out of the lamp with an official announcement.
For us, the gamers, this is largely good news, even with the slightly chaotic reveal. It means a cracking good game, one that genuinely earned its accolades, might soon be available to a huge audience without an extra purchase. It lowers the barrier to entry, lets more people experience what makes *The Lost Crown* so special, and keeps the Game Pass library feeling fresh and exciting. In a world where we're constantly bombarded with corporate PR speak and the latest 'revolutionary' monetisation scheme (which usually means finding new ways to pick our pockets), a simple leak about a genuinely *good game* arriving on a service is a refreshing change. It's like finding a perfectly balanced mana potion after a long dungeon crawl – pure, unadulterated goodness.
So, while we wait for the official scroll to be unrolled (or for another accidental digital peep-show), I'm cautiously optimistic. *Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown* on Game Pass? That's a strong move, a nod to quality, and a bloody good time waiting to happen. Here's hoping the digital gremlins at Xbox don't pull any more fast ones, and we get to dive into Sargon's world sooner rather than later. Keep your eyes peeled, fellow adventurers, because this particular treasure chest might just be opening for everyone.
Tags: Xbox Game Pass, Prince of Persia, Ubisoft, Metroidvania, Gaming News
Original article: Game Rant