xBox 360 Game Review: Mirror’s Edge

Welcome to New Eden. A perfect city where the people don’t worry about anything and the government is your best friend. Not everyone here has traded in civil liberty for an easy life though. There are those who would know things the government wants kept secret and those who would take risks to deliver such information. Welcome to the world of a runner. A trafficker in information who uses all aspects of the city’s skyline to their advantage.

Mirrors Edge began causing a stir at the last E3 Games Expo where the first trailer was unveiled. A first person action game with a difference, Mirrors Edge sees you take on the role of Faith, a young woman who exists on the edges of society as a runner, a dealer in information.

The game places a heavy importance on avoiding or isolating enemies as opposed to taking them on full steam ahead. The objective of each level is to arrive at your destination point in one piece, easier said than done when there are S.W.A.T. Teams and helicopters on your trail, but by using the various buildings and other features of the city, you just might make it.

To a runner, the whole city is a playground. Very little of your time is spent on the ground and the order of the day is reckless leaps from rooftop to rooftop, utilising everything from drain pipes to massive construction cranes to make your way.

The game is divided into nine chapters, each of which is relatively short if you know what your doing. This doesn’t take away from the game in any sense as speed is of great importance, especially in some of the other game modes.

Visually, Mirrors edge is stunning. The in game visuals are truly a shining example of what can be achieved in this day and age. There is an emphasis on vivid colour throughout. Each level has a distinct set of colours which contrast with the pristine white of the building exteriors. Cut scenes are done in a cell shaded style which surprisingly fits quite well.

There is a definite sense of scale about Mirrors Edge and its common to find oneself second guessing weather or not that rooftop is close enough, or if that fall would kill you. Its also common to find yourself holding your breath when you make the proverbial “Leap of Faith” Its fair to say that in that respect, the good people at Dice (the games developers) have hit a home run.

The question is, what does one do when story mode is finished? The answer is quite a lot, actually. Completing the game on Normal mode unlocks Hard mode. Completing the game on any mode unlocks speed runs (finish the level below the target time!) and of course there are the checkpoint style race courses. The latter two modes support on-line play. As well as all this, there are a wealth of concept sketches, videos and music tracks to browse at your leisure in the Extras section, as well as downloadable content available through Xbox Live.

Mirrors Edge is innovative, engaging, visually impressive and has replay value (a rare quality in games these days). Its an action game with a difference, with a hint of Aeon Flux and a little Matrix thrown in. So what are you waiting for? Start running!