The Mount Qaf Survival Guide: A Beginner’s Guide to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Mount Qaf is a sprawling, time-bending labyrinth, and you—Sargon, the youngest of the Immortals—are tasked with rescuing a kidnapped prince from its depths. The Lost Crown is a Metroidvania through and through, meaning it will not hold your hand. It rewards curiosity, patience, and a willingness to get lost. But it also provides you with more tools to avoid frustration than almost any game in the genre.
This guide will walk you through the fundamentals, from the parry timing that keeps you alive to the map features that keep you sane, so you can focus on the adventure rather than the confusion.
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The First Rule: Parry, Don’t Panic
Combat in The Lost Crown is built around a simple but punishing rock-paper-scissors of enemy tells. Your survival depends on reading the flash of color in your opponent’s eyes.
Blue Flash (or no flash): These are standard attacks. You can block them, but the real reward comes from a parry. Time your block just as the attack lands, and you’ll see a blue flash and stagger the enemy, opening them up for a devastating counter.
Yellow Flash: This is a “Reckless Attack.” It is still parryable, but the timing window is tighter. If you land it, Sargon launches into a cinematic counter that deals massive damage. Miss it, and you’ll take the full brunt of the blow.
Red Flash: This is the one you cannot block. A red flash means the attack is unblockable. You must dodge. Trying to parry a red attack will result in you getting hit, and some of these attacks can be lethal.
Your Golden Rule: If you see red, dodge. If you see yellow or blue, try to parry. It will feel awkward at first, but the timing becomes second nature quickly.
Navigating Mount Qaf: Maps, Modes, and Memory
Getting lost is the greatest enemy in a Metroidvania, and The Lost Crown gives you several ways to fight it.
Choose Guided Mode if you’re new. The default “Exploration Mode” offers minimal assistance. “Guided Mode,” however, will mark your main objective and even highlight blocked paths on your map, showing you exactly where you need a new Time Power to progress. You can toggle this on or off in the options menu at any time.
Buy maps from Fariba. This wandering merchant appears in every new biome, often signaled by colorful flags or rugs and the sound of humming. For a small fee, she’ll sell you the map for the entire region, filling in the blanks so you’re not wandering blind.
Use Memory Shards constantly. Whenever you see a chest you can’t reach or a path blocked by an ability you don’t have, press the corresponding button (Down on the D-pad for controllers) to place a Memory Shard. This pins a screenshot of that exact spot to your map, so you can return later and instantly remember why you marked it.
Follow the golden leaves. If you see golden leaves floating in the air, follow them. They lead to Wak-Wak Trees, which fully heal you, let you swap Amulets, and act as fast-travel waypoints.
The Haven: Your Home Base
Early in the game, you’ll unlock The Haven, a hub area that serves as your one-stop shop for progression.
Upgrade your gear: This is where you buy new Amulets, upgrade your weapons, and increase your health potion capacity. Visit it regularly.
Train with Artaban: If a boss is crushing you, go to the practice area in The Haven. There are no consequences for failure there, and you can practice your parries and combos until they’re muscle memory.
Don’t hoard Time Crystals: These are the primary currency for upgrades. You can farm them by re-entering areas and killing enemies again, as they respawn. Spend them on permanent upgrades rather than saving them for a rainy day.
Exploration Secrets: The Walls Are Lying to You
The Lost Crown is full of hidden rooms and treasures, and the game expects you to be suspicious.
Hit suspicious walls. Many secret rooms are concealed behind “fake walls” that look identical to normal background geometry. If a wall looks even slightly out of place, strike it once or twice. If it glows or cracks, you’ve found a secret.
Use the King Jamshid Amulet. If you didn’t get the Deluxe Edition’s Prosperity Bird (which sings near hidden treasure), this Amulet is your next best friend. It emits an audible chime when you’re near a valuable item or secret, helping you sniff out hidden rooms.
Your Time Powers are puzzle keys. If a platform is too far, a gate closes too fast, or a switch is out of reach, you likely have a Time Power that solves it. The Shadow of the Simurgh ability, for example, lets you place a shadow clone and teleport to it, which is essential for many puzzles. When stuck, think about your abilities, not just your sword.
A Final Word
The Lost Crown is challenging, but it is not unfair. It gives you the tools to succeed—Guided Mode, Memory Shards, adjustable difficulty, and a practice arena—if you’re willing to use them. Don’t let pride keep you from turning on an assist feature or lowering the difficulty if you’re not having fun. The story of Sargon and Mount Qaf is worth experiencing, on whatever terms work for you.
The mountain is vast, the mysteries are deep, and the Prince is waiting. Good luck, Immortal.
