The first time I played this game I thought "Now THIS is a 3D platformer." The animation was amazing at the time (which long been a Ubisoft strength). The essence of platforming is movement, and The Sands of Time nails that, even if the game may be classified more broadly under action-adventure. The art design was a nice change of pace for the time too, and the fact that it was a true revival of a series with a significant lineage already just added to the novelty. It's true that the gameplay has been refined and improved since and the combat is a weak spot, nothing can quite capture the amazement of wall-running and flipping as the Prince for the first time. One of the coolest games of its' era in my opinion.