Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (PS2, $119.95)

By JON MINIFIE

(Herald rating: * * * * *)

Following this year's E3, the hype surrounding Prince of Persia: Sands of Time has been huge. And now that we have had some hands-on time with the game (the demo that is) we can finally see what the ruckus was about.

This reworking of Jordan Mechner's 1989 classic tale is flat-out brilliant, but it is tough to pigeonhole: Sands of Time is part-platform puzzler and part-3D adventure.

There are frequent, fast-paced combat sequences where you are called on to duel gangs of Arabian guards.

Fights are frequently enjoyable, but it's the sheer beauty and the explorative nature of the gameplay that will have you and any onlookers gasping.

The graphics are terrific. Palm trees sway, the desert sands shift in the wind.

The production values are high with substantial use of visual trickery.

Like the original, Sands of Time is filled with puzzles and booby traps.

Spikes pop up from holes in the ground, razor-sharp giant blades swing menacingly to block your path.

Even with a solid control system, you will slip up every now and then.

Thankfully Sands of Time lets you rewind 10-15 seconds of gameplay so you can try again after a failed attempt.

The control is easy to pick up and quite forgiving in places. Jump on to a ledge and you will wobble near the edge but you won't fall.

Walk too far and you will slip, but catch hold of the outcropping just in the nick of time. Before you know it, you're running up walls, flipping off poles, and leaping across giant chasms.

It is hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with this title. It is easily one of the best 3D adventures around; Prince of Persia Sands of Time is released next week.

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