The story of Prince of Persia: Warrior Within takes place seven years after the events of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time . The Prince is being hunted by a monster named Dahaka, who seeks revenge for the Prince's survival. The Prince soon discovers that anyone who manipulates time is destined to die shortly after; however, he has escaped his fate and now must find a way to prevent the creation of the Sands of Time.
The gameplay in Prince of Persia: Warrior Within has undergone significant changes. The Prince's fighting moves have become more brutal and enhanced, allowing him to use new attacks via walls and poles. While the fights take up a larger part of the game, puzzle sections are still present, albeit more complicated than before. A new addition is the "curtain slide," which enables the player to slowly slide down to the ground.