The “Break it Down” Blog

Summary [7.5 out of 10]

Mirror’s Edge is listed on EA’s site as a First Person Action-Adventure game, but really it is a First Person Platformer.  Set in the future you play as a “runner” named Faith.  Runners live just outside the law by delivering packages for their employers without the normal over site and regulations of  standard delivery services.

Introduction

Mirror’s Edge is the kind of game you’re either going to love or hate because there is a lot of times you will be trying to make the same jump over and over until you finally get it right.  But, when you are moving through the level and everything  is clicking it is great fun.  In the early levels of the game I was loving Mirror’s Edge, but after trying to get through the 8th level for about the 30th time I was leaning a lot more towards throwing the controller.  However, looking back on playing Mirror’s Edge after being done with it for a few days I realize I spent a lot more enjoying myself than I did being frustrated. Still the game has flaws that make it hard to give it a score higher than a 7.5.

The Great

• The graphics are gorgeous. It has a very clean and simple style but quite beautiful.
• The concept for Mirror’s Edge. A lot of credit has to go to DICE and EA for putting this game out.  It is very different than most First Person games and was a risk for the to make.

The Good

• The simplicity of the controls. With all the different moves available to you, the controls are simple and easy to learn.
• The early levels are really fun.  Before they start making the levels really hard to traverse the game is a blast.  You really feel like you are running gracefully through this world they created.
• Even while being a First Person game with guns available you never have to shoot anyone unless you want to. In fact, there is an achievement for beating the whole game without shooting anyone.

The Bad

• It is really short. There are 9 levels and the whole game is roughly 6 hours long. You can replay levels as races to beat preset times, but I would have preferred a longer story instead of  having races through the existing levels.
• The combat system. I chose to play the game without shooting anyone, but in a lot of cases this made it really hard to get through levels.  There are levels with snipers shooting that you can not get to on foot to punch and stop. So, you have to try and avoid their very accurate shots.

The Ugly

• There are points in the game where you will die 20 or 30 times trying to traverse a section of the level.  Even when you know how you’re suppose to get across the area it can be brutally difficult.

Conclusion [7.5 out of 10]

I did enjoy Mirror’s Edge and I would recommend people give it a try.

It is new, different, and when you’re moving through the levels smoothly it is really rewarding.  However, the last two levels espcially are really hard to get through without perfectly timing your jumps and wall runs. If they had just given a little more of a grace period for timing  your moves the game would have been so much better.

Actually, if it were not for the last 2 levels I would have probably given Mirror’s Edge an 8.5, or even 9, out of 10. The Time Trials and Race options are fun if you’re into trying to get through a level perfectly for an optimal score. If you’re not into that sort of level perfecting I would recommend renting Mirror’s Edge because it is so short.