Just started playing Mirror’s Edge after hearing some good things about it from a friend. However, the review out there seems to be a mixed bag. But hey, I’m an adventurous guy and I like some variety in everything, so it was a no-brainer to give this game a go. Now let’s get down to seeing if this unique offering from EA is any good shall we.
I think the idea of the game should have come from Parkour which is, I quote from Wikipedia “the aim of moving from one point to another as smoothly, efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body.” By the way, if you haven’t already watched the films Yamakasi and District B13, I highly recommend them as they showcase the beauty, excitement and danger of the art of parkour.
I won’t bore you with the game’s story and plot. Well, most games just have a story which is there just to justify the game anyway. Besides, I have yet to complete the game, so I have no idea how the entire story would turn out anyway.
The graphics in Mirror’s Edge is rather nice, it’s hard to put into words but it has sort of a “bright” feel to it and it matches the ambiance that the game is trying to achieve. Just check out the screenshots to see what I mean. The cut-scenes however uses a different art direction, sort of a little cartoony or animated-like, can’t say it’s good or bad, just different.
The gameplay is an exciting mix of running, jumping, climbing and sliding your way around and over obstancels, gaps, buildings and almost anything you can imagine. I have to say, when it’s the done right the game can be pretty darn good at times. The pursuit scenes will get your adrenaline pumping and your heart rate in-sync with the tempo to the chase. If like me, you have acrophobia then the exhilaration while playing the game would most probably be even more intense. There were times when my stomach churned when I failed to make a jump and I see my character falling from the building. I guess that’s a testament to how immersive the game is, no? Mirror’s Edge also feature some combat elements, but I think they’re rather weak compared to the rest of the game and felt like it was tacked onto the game for the sake of variety.
I went into this game without any expectations, the premise seemed original enough, and this means something at a time where most every genre and every idea has been done till death. (Anyone agree there’s hardly any originality these days?) I think the developers deserve some credit for trying, the entire concept of hopping like a crazed rabbit around buildings is certainly an interesting and refreshing change. However, I can’t help but feel that the execution fell a little short and the idea could be further developed to refine the gameplay. As it stands, it’s still a pretty polished and respectable game though, it has some genuinely great moments and you owe it to yourself to at least give it a try to see if building hopping is your cup of tea.
STOMP: Original and innovative idea, Adrenaline-pumping action, Very nice and unique visual elements
CHOMP: Weak combat
Mirror’s Edge Available At:
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written by stompandchomp
\\ tags: EA, Electronic Arts, Games, Mirror's Edge, Parkour, PC, PS3, XBox 360
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