Game Review: Mirror's Edge

Game: Mirror's Edge
Console: Sony Playstation 3
Developer: EA DICE
Release Date: 11th November 2008

As one of the most recently released games to be getting an 8th generation remaster, Mirror's Edge has been consistently discussed praised in the 7 years since its release. Whilst I'm not entirely sure how anyone will make the game look better than it already does, its gameplay should speak for itself even if kept exactly the same as in the original. The game is based around parkour style rooftop jumping, initially in order to run messages between members of an anti government resistance, and for investigating/escaping later in the game.

Through the course of 9 missions, players control Faith and work through the story of the game, attempting to clear Kate, Faith's sister of murder. Missions generally involve helping Faith to make her way from one place to another, across rooftops and through various buildings, dodging the bullets and assassins of private security forces out to stop her. Between missions there are comic style cutscenes, advancing the storyline events.

Controlwise L1 is used for jumping, and pulling Faith up onto ledges of a higher level, with the X button used for actions, and L2 used to slide. There are a few other controls used throughout the course of gameplay but most of the time, running and jumping are the only controls required. A few of the missions have optional (though recommended) shooting segments, where the controls become similar to that of a first-person shooter.

While the game is pretty short, (it can be completed in around 40 minutes by expert players) there's an element of trial and error, as even slight mistakes can prove to be fatal for Faith. Falling too far and taking too much damage from enemies and other hazards will reset players to the last checkpoint, meaning that even the most difficult sections only need to be completed in a single perfect run. Personally there were a few sections that I had to retry over and over, especially those that involved large numbers of armed enemies, but on the whole the game wasn't particularly hard to complete.

Graphically the game looks absolutely beautiful; the lighting engine is a particular highlight, leading the mood of the plot, and its locations. The colour scheme used for buildings and levels in general is mostly white, with a few flecks of blues and oranges around, and red as an indicator of what can be used to progress through the levels. The soundtrack is minimalist and understated, fitting the visual style of the game well and building tension slowly leading up to the final mission.

Overall Mirror's Edge is a brilliant concept, combining a slightly generic plot with exciting acrobatic moves and fast paced (most of the time) gameplay. At times the routes through missions feel somewhat linear, despite the game's claim that there are several ways through levels, and trying new ideas is often greeted with game overs. For me, it's the perfect example of a high B grade game; all of the elements combine to make an enjoyable experience that could have been only slightly better developed plotwise, and in terms of level design.

Rating: 87/100
Grade: B