Released back in 2004, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within took the franchise in a dark, brutal new direction. Faced with the terrifying Dahaka—the literal manifestation of Fate—the Prince must use every tool at his disposal to survive the Island of Time.
But did you know that the game has a secret, canonical ending?
To unlock it, you cannot just beat the final boss. You must find all 9 hidden Health Upgrades (also known as Life Upgrades). Gathering all nine increases your health bar to maximum size and allows you to claim the legendary Water Sword from the Hourglass Chamber. With this blade in hand, you can alter history, challenge the Dahaka, and save both the Prince and Kaileena.
Before you begin your hunt, remember this one Crucial Rule: Every single upgrade is located exclusively in the PAST. If you are looking for them in the present-day ruins, you are in the wrong timeline!
🗺️ Complete Health Upgrade Guide
1. Fortress Entrance
- When to get it: Right after defeating the first Crow Master boss on the castle's outer walls.
- How to find it: Walk down the large stone stairs near the exit of the arena. Jump over the metal railing on the side of the staircase. Follow the hidden lower ledge back around, break the barrels blocking your path, and roll through the small hole in the wall.
2. Sacrificial Altar
- When to get it: Immediately after defeating Shahdee (the woman in black armor) to save Kaileena.
- How to find it: Do not leave the room yet! Walk up the main stairs to the large stone altar at the top. Grab the altar and pull it backward toward the stairs. A secret door will slide open directly behind where the altar was sitting.
3. Central Hall
- When to get it: Once you gain access to the Central Hall lever system.
- How to find it: Rotate the main central lever so it points toward the pathway you used to first enter the castle. Walk across the bridge, but look down to spot a lower ledge. Safely drop down the platforms below the walkway to find a hidden door at the very bottom.
4. Activation Room (Mechanical Tower)
- When to get it: While exploring the lower levels of the Mechanical Tower.
- How to find it: Look for the giant stone golem (Brute) that throws exploding beasts at you. Stand directly in front of the cracked stone wall on the left side of the room. Dodge out of the way at the very last second so the golem's projectile blasts the wall open for you.
5. Hanging Gardens
- When to get it: Early into your exploration of the Garden Tower.
- How to find it: After navigating the high ledges and turning on a water valve, you will reach an outdoor garden zone with a small, water-filled ditch. Follow the trench to the back wall. Walk along the ledge, drop down behind the trees, and smash the hidden wall.
6. Garden Waterworks
- When to get it: After fully activating the water flow in the Garden Tower.
- How to find it: Go to the room with the main water wheel lever. Look for a broken railing on the upper platform. Wall-run up the wall next to it, jump backward to bounce off the wall, and grab a hidden higher ledge. Climb up to find a switch that opens the secret door below.
7. The Prison
- When to get it: Near the very end of the Prison level.
- How to find it: Note: You must have the Scorpion Sword to break walls. In the final large chamber before entering the library, clear out all the enemies. Look for a large, cracked section on the side wall. Smash it open with your new sword to reveal a secret room with a floor button.
8. The Library
- When to get it: While navigating the high balconies of the Library.
- How to find it: Look for the two large, octagonal stone terraces near the top of the room. Instead of progressing forward, jump across the gaps to the left balcony. Look for a small circular opening in the wall that you can roll through.
9. Southern Passage
- When to get it: After obtaining the Scorpion Sword. You can easily backtrack here from the Central Hall.
- How to find it: Return to the Central Hall and rotate the main lever to the opposite side of the Hourglass Chamber entrance to reach the Southern Passage balcony. Follow the hallway until you see a metal gate. Wall-run and flip up to the ledge above the gate, smash the cracked wall, and hit the switch to roll inside.
💡 Survival Pro-Tips for Your Hunt
- The Trap Deactivation Trick: Every single upgrade path is guarded by a brutal gauntlet of spikes and swinging blades. However, once you successfully reach the pedestal and activate the cutscene, the traps will permanently turn off. Take your time getting in, because getting out is entirely safe!
- Track Your Progress: If you lose count of how many upgrades you have found, check your in-game map menu. The circular meter wrapped around your health bar tracks your exact upgrade count.
- The Reward: Once all 9 slots are filled, return to the Hourglass Chamber in the past. Walk to the center of the room to pull the glowing Water Sword from its pedestal.
Conclusion
Finding all nine upgrades takes a lot of platforming skill and careful backtracking, but the reward is completely worth it. Facing the Dahaka with a fully maxed-out health pool and the strongest sword in the game changes the entire experience.
Which health upgrade did you find the trickiest to unlock? Let us know in the comments below, and good luck changing your fate!
