Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands Game-stopping Bug [Update2]

The original glitch in the computer world was a literal bug in the system, a moth as the story goes. May I submit to you that latest bug to add to the ever-growing list.

I’d only progressed halfway through Ubisoft Montreal’s latest adventure when I flipped my way to The Observatory. The room looked fairly straightforward, flip to the pull switch, activate the astrolabe and use it to vault my way to freedom. Unfortunately, the switch required to control the astrolabe doesn’t rise with the platform, as evidenced in this walkthrough video. Just an emblem with some mysterious smokey fire (that’s usually inside the switch).

I was unlucky in locating any mention of the bug via Google. This leads me to believe that the issue isn’t widespread. Short of restarting the game (or cheating), I cannot progress any further.  This is really unfortunate because I am supposed to review the game!

I’ve reached out to Ubisoft Montreal for comment. I can only assume that a patch is in the works.

[Update]

A reader was kind enough to upload his save game file that includes the much needed switch.  I’ve yet to try it myself, but a handful of members have already moved beyond the Astrolabe thanks to the file.

Let’s see, all we needed was a different save game to remedy the issue.  Doesn’t seem that hard to address/fix Ubisoft!

[Update2]

I’ve confirmed that the file does unlock the long lost switch (and that the file is virus/spyware free, as far as my tools can tell).  Many thanks to Asilo for the upload. Now, I am off to complete and review the game…

50 Comments

  1. Ubisoft’s reply is that this is not a bug, and that the solution “is either covered in the manual, or is available via another source such as the Ubisoft forums”. I have pointed them to this video – will update if I get any other comments from them.

  2. I’ve also sent this post to two Ubisoft reps. Have yet to hear anything. And I didn’t see any solution in the forum, but I haven’t check lately.

  3. I have a similar problem in another level -The Fortress Courtyard. After defeating a huge guy I climbed around the room and activated a door. Behind the door are a series of swinging pike logs that eventually got me killed. The problem is that the checkpoint placed me behind the recently activated door, which is now closed with no visible ways to reactivate it. It’s located on a high platform with a railing and any attempts to jump over or down or across have resulted in death with return to the same checkpoint. Any ideas? Has anyone else found this?

  4. @Wiseman, i know your pain! I had to REDO the whole game up to that point, but what i did was to make a backup of the save game as i went along.(only way, i know of, i’m afraid) HOwever, i am stuck now where this little bugger up is with the missing lever in the Observatory; and i can safely say “it’ll be a cold day in hell before i reply the whole game”, because my last save game i have, is just as i come into the observatory(before the first lever is pulled).

    If a patch doesn’t fix it, then the whole game can kiss bye bye!

  5. @curmet .. can u tell me wer the save games r stored
    m also stuck at the same point as wiseman !: (
    and i ll be very glad if u can upload ur savefile :)

  6. @Wiseman had the excect same problem :( I am so not up for re playing all the game up to that point :( a save file to a point just before or a little after would be much appreciated!

  7. Same problem here in Observatory too. But in my case, the lever is UP, above my head, appears but is up and i cant reach it. Game looks like has many bugs. UBI screw it this time i think.

  8. This is really SUCKS! I have same problem same lever same ….. level. I restart game a loooot times but bug never Changed!

  9. i have the same problem, but in my case the switch is floating in air above the place where it is suppose to be…

  10. It’s floating in my game too !
    If somebody has a save game file of the moment you enter the astrolabe or the moment after you SUCCESSFULLY trigger the golden pole pls upload it and share it !
    Hope they’ll fix it soon!

  11. Dammit… I Hate That BUG… It pisses me early in the morning… i just played for a day… and just stuck on this? WTF…

  12. i got this same problem ,just like wisemen. the door after the first encounter with that huge beast wont open.the lever for activating it is way beyond reach, and any attempt to switch it is useless…i mean u just cant reach it ! disgusting …simply disgusting guyss… nd on top of that i forgot to keep any last save backup files..so its like “TATA” …or i h’ve gotta replay the game frm the very beginning again! :(

    so i heard there is some kinda gravity code which helps in falling from high grounds without the prince suffering any damage? anybody knows that?… please post the stepss please… :'(

  13. If somebody has a save game file of the moment you enter the astrolabe or the moment after you SUCCESSFULLY trigger the golden pole pls upload it and share it !

  14. Guys I cant post the save game to you I tried 3 times !!!!
    I can’t see my post !
    I’m sorry guys

  15. Got the exact same issue :-(

    @Asillo: Thank you very much — however, your savegame puts me right where this bug is happening. The next checkpoint would be what we need ^^

  16. Opa, valeu, cara. Esse seu save game funcionou que é uma beleza, recomendado para quem está tendo o mesmo problema.

    Valeu, Asilo.

  17. sorry. I hadn’t been checking back here.

    in vista it should be – C:\users\your name\Appdata\local\storage\(some random characters)\11

    your appdata folder may be hidden by default

    if your on xp then – C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Ubisoft (folder)\storage\(some random characters)\11

    hope that helps

  18. Thanks man its working ……i m using windows 7
    and i put that save4 file in C:\users\your name\Appdata\local\storage\SKIDROW\11
    Thanksss alot@skrat

  19. Doesn’t fix the Observatory handle bug for me and i have a save right before the cutscene. The platform still comes up empty. Tried the new game and replacing the save files and still nothing.

  20. Hey people i had the same problem. Dan it takes about 3h or so to get from the game start to the observatory game works fine so try it.Greetings.

  21. Yeah..If you are experienced in PoP-FS you would come observatory in 3 –maybe 4 hours. It worths for PoP :))
    –Great Game…
    –Enjoy!

  22. Thanks aslio’s

    deleteing 4.sav didn’t work for me for some reason
    even after trying it in few diffrent ways.
    only shame thing is your saved file comes with no upgrades ,
    but better than nothing.

  23. guys please tell me where can i find the save games folder in XP, i couldn’t find them at above mentioned places

  24. i just finished this game for 41 minutes …..
    any bastards are there just finished before 41 minutes
    ???? come on
    play with me!

  25. the save game works! nice man. Thanks alot. I was getting really frustrated with that fuckin bug. I thought i couldn’t solve the puzzle or something. Took a while to realize it was a bug :) THANKS AGAIN! THE SAVE GAME WORKS

  26. I go to C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Ubisoft (folder)\storage\(some random characters)\11 but I don’t have folder 11, mine is 4. And I used to save game file from Asilo, didn’t work :'( Help

  27. I did start the game! That’s why I got the same bug as you guys. I don’t have that lever in the observatory. I only got the black smoke

  28. @Blackcactus
    All I can say is locate your save file and replace it with the one above. Perhaps it’s in /Saved Games of My Docs? Do a search for ‘4.save’ and see where it is.

  29. Yes I tried searching already. Folder 4 seems to be the only place with 4.save file. It’s very weird. I even tried uninstalling everything and reinstal it but somehow when I start the game the ‘continue’ option is still there and when I choose it, it put me back to the same place :S Anyway, thx for your help :) Guess I really have to wait for a patch

  30. hey guys… I just can’t found my savegames folder… PLEASE I really need help on this one, I’m a huge fan of the PoP games, I’ve read the entire page, but still can’t find the 4.save thing…
    Thanks anyway…

  31. @nekokiller Open up the startup bar and click on search. Then click on search files, folders, etc. Type 4.save file, hope that helps (It helped me locate the file but when I replaced the 4.save file, it doesn’t work with mine)

  32. Guys m stuck at a stage after the observatory :( i dnt remember the name but i’ll try to xplain.here v need to walk on ice(freezed water) on the left side and hold on a stream of water to jump on to another stream of water which starts after we unfreez the stream v r holding onto.the problem is v never reach to the 2nd stream :( :X i have tried sum 100s of time but it never jumped onto the 2nd stream.does anybody successfully crossed this level ? please gimme the saveed file if u guys have :( i wud b very thankful to u.
    ONCE AGAIN I’LL DESCRIBE THE SCENE : MALIK KILLS sum 3 Enemies and absorbs thr energy and walks away without hearing prince.I hpe sumone got wat i was saying :(

    pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

  33. ya the name of the stage is the rooftop gardens :) anybody completed it ?
    please gimme the saved file please :)

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