Aladdin: Save The Princess Review

Another Arabian Night

“You ain’t never had a friend like me!” We all know that quote. It’s the Genie, the loveable blue friend of that street rat, Aladdin. However, Aladdin: Save The Princess developed by Black Chilli Games, has little in common with Disney’s 1992 classic. Featuring a little nostalgia Aladdin: Save The Princess is a third-person action-adventure runner that will have you yearning for the late, great Robin Williams to once again voice the charming Genie as Aladdin embarks on another Arabian Night.

Gameplay and Characters

As mentioned, one thing should be quite clear to players. Aladdin: Save The Princess has nothing to do with Disney, though it feels like it has a bit of the Disney aesthetic. You are Aladdin, lowly street rat tasked with once again rescuing Princess Jasmine. As you traverse the city of Agrabah, you’ll encounter deadly obstacles and guards that will prevent you from accomplishing your goal: defeating the Sorcerer (basically Jafar) and rescuing the Princess. Rather straightforward plot, right? Players just move their finger across the screen to make Aladdin run, shimmy, duck, climb and fight his way through the city streets.

What’s a game without memorable characters? Aladdin: Save The Princess has a robust number of them, albeit with different names from the animated film. Players obviously take control of Aladdin, but there’s also Abu, Parrot (Iago), the Magic Carpet, the Genie (naturally), Princess Jasmine and of course the wicked mastermind himself, Sorcerer, as this game calls him.

Collecting Stars, Enemies and No Ads

Sometimes games require you to gather collectibles. They may serve a purpose; they may not. Either way, it gives players more to do. Aladdin: Save The Princess has collectibles in the form of stars that you find throughout each level to unlock and progress to the next level.  You also don’t need a set number of stars. Collect stars, advance to another level. Simple really.

Now, enemies in the game are a bit on the lackluster side. There are enemies. It’s just that a lot of them are pushovers and our hero can make quick work of them. Aladdin has sword-wielding guards to contend with. A few strikes with your sword that seems to appear magically out of thin air and the guards are easily vanquished. The biggest enemies in Aladdin: Save The Princess aren’t traditional foes, however. Instead, they are obstacles like rolling barrels, gates that raise up and down, spikes, mallets and other things.

Timing to avoid these barriers is critical. One false step and BOOM instant death! If that isn’t bad enough, you must restart the level from the beginning should you fail to avoid these obstacles. Is there anything more frustrating? Probably not. Again, timing is everything. Move swiftly but carefully. Another problem the game faces is a lack of boss battles. Outside of taking on that rascally Sorcerer, players basically just take on guards and avoid the obstacles already mentioned.

One good thing players don’t have to worry about is ads. There’s nothing more frustrating when you’re playing a game and after completing a level than dealing with ads popping up. Thankfully, in Aladdin: Save The Princess, you complete a level and go onto the next without any annoying ads to contend with. Quite nice.

Character Design and Overall Impressions

One thing that’s a little jarring in this game is the character design. While the graphics are smooth, the designs of the characters are a little wonky and don’t exactly mirror their Disney counterparts. Aladdin’s design is decent, as is the design of the Magic Carpet and the Genie. However, Abu’s design, for example, is far from cute. It’s just downright creepy. Also, Sorcerer really doesn’t look like Disney’s Jafar. Rather, he looks more like a generic sorcerer.

Character design aside, overall Aladdin: Save The Princess is still fun. While it may not receive a Disney stamp of approval, Black Chilli Games still manages to provide a linear experience for players to enjoy or for those who are not familiar with the adventures of Aladdin. If you’re looking for some great Disney magic, you may want to find another flying carpet because this isn’t the ride you want to take. However, if you want to enjoy an adventure featuring Aladdin and the familiar characters we all know and love, Aladdin: Save The Princess will happily oblige.