Seth Scheisel for the review of the game(New York Times), described Prince of Persia as culturally insensitive and crude. He went on to point out that :
What are we to make of a “Prince of Persia” who talks and behaves like a 17-year-old American mall rat? A “Prince of Persia” with blue eyes, fully Anglicized facial features and what looks like a tan he picked up on spring break? Is it taking a video game too seriously to shrink in distaste from such characterizations? In fairness, the new Prince of Persia does not claim any historical or cultural authenticity; the game is set in a fantastic magical realm rather than in a rendition of any real place. But does that absolve the game of any responsibility?
He further explained that:
Many Americans have little understanding of the difference between Persia and the Arab world. To most Americans the entire Islamic world is still the “other,” as Mr. Said might have put it, something mysterious and unknowable and at least a bit menacing.
He was refering to Mr. Edward Said who wrote 'Orientalism'. He does have a point about the lack of faithfulness to the Persian setting. It would seem to me that Ubisoft tried to play it safe to not offend the American audience( or was underestimating the maturity of the audience) by making the prince a bit more american.
Again the writer may be over analysing things too deep. Either way it is an interesting read.
Source : http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/arts/television/25pers.html?_r=2
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