Developer: EA Digital Illusions CE
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Rating: 7.9 out of 10
Rated: T (Teen)
The Deal: The unique, first-person parkour-inspired Mirror’s Edge has been generating a lot of pre-release buzz since an early version was showcased at this year’s E3. Essentially taking the shooter out of a first-person-shooter, the folks at EA DICE had hit upon something so obvious and elegant that people couldn’t help but be impressed. Throw in some seemingly flawless gameplay and an intriguing dystopian setting and many critics were predicting Mirror’s Edge could be this year’s sleeper hit.
Set in a nameless, futuristic city under the control of a seemingly-benevolent though totalitarian government, players control a “runner” named Faith. “Runners” use their skill at free-running to courier information to members of the city’s rebel underground. Faith bounds up walls, vaults from rooftops and swings across the city’s concrete chasms, always on the run from the oppressive police or “Blues.” Things get complicated for the young runner when her police officer sister, Kate, is framed for the murder of one of the city’s up-and-coming politicians and only Faith can figure out the truth.
Previews at big industry events are one thing, but is the final version of Mirror’s Edge as good as we all hoped?
The Good…
- The game’s main hook – a parkour-based first person action title – is as intriguing and tantalizing to play as it sounds. Once you key in to the controls and the rhythm of free-running, it’s an exhilarating gaming experience that hasn’t been produced before.
- The conceptual vision of Mirror’s Edge is pretty cool and, for the most part, successful. While the totalitarian dystopia thing has been done to death, and the whole crazy parkour kids taking on the system to the sounds of lounge-y techno feels a bit 1997, it still works well as an overall setting and concept. Plus, the whole uber-clean and bright look to everything is a lot different than the dark and gritty visions of the future we’re used to.
- The game’s free-running gameplay mechanics are outstanding. Keeping the controls simple, EA DICE puts little between you and the pulse-pounding rush of parkour. Also, the game’s “runner’s vision” – in which objects and goals Faith needs to reach are highlighted in red versus the rest of the city’s white backgrounds – helps keep the flow continuous.
- The true star of Mirror’s Edge is its racing mode. It’s not just great practice for the story mode, it’s where the game’s best feature – its free-running action – takes center stage.
The Bad…
- One of the more annoying things about Mirror’s Edge is the trial and error feel to its levels. Instead of improving your gameplay and finding your own ways to complete the various missions, there’s basically one or two ways through and you have to keep dying until you can figure it all out. Last time we checked, it isn’t 1984 and we’re not playing this on an NES, so we expect a little more – especially when the gameplay is so compelling.
- Where the free-running aspect to Mirror’s Edge is a total win, the game’s combat system is an epic fail. It’s clunky, confusing and usually resulting in your death; surely the designers could have come up with something a little more effective. To be fair, the game encourages you to avoid fighting unless it’s absolutely necessary and allows you to disarm your opponents and simply throw their weapons away. Of course, actually disarming your opponent is next to impossible, but the thought is nice.
- Probably the saddest strike against Mirror’s Edge is its lack of long-term playability and/or sandbox play. With such solid mechanics and a compelling world, it seems like a no-brainer to let players loose to explore and try out their newly acquired free-running skills once the game is complete. Even unrelated mini-missions might have slaked the thirst for more Mirror’s Edge action.
Final Word: While not entirely delivering on its pre-release hype, Mirror’s Edge is still a one-of-a-kind action experience. We’re hoping the inevitable sequel builds considerably on the original to create a truly great game.
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