Mirror's Edge™

It's like films, there are some that get great reviews and nobody watches the film. That's how Mirrors Edge did at the time. It is a really unique game, which is still incredibly fun today. As far as you like this kind of game. Many now say it is a first person shooter, no it is not. It is a racing game on foot. If you always wanted to know what it is like to run a course without hurting yourself, you should definitely try this game. It just has this "flow" when you run, jump, slip like a cast over roofs and obstacles. In addition, this great graphic style, which still looks timeless today, also because of the great architecture. Then there is the absolutely fitting and unique soundtrack from Solar Fields, which creates another great atmosphere. Where you just stop for a while and just enjoy it. In short, those who have always wanted to climb skyscrapers and want to experience a great adventure with great music. Here is exactly right. The only criticism is the short playing time. But I have probably played the game 5 times because it is always refreshingly different.

This game is about the atmosphere. If you don’t care about that, don’t even bother trying it, because you will only see the flaws which are plenty. As a platformer it is ok, but the best of the genre is way ahead of it. The story is like… meh. I have seen better but also much worse. At least there is a not-complete-nonsense plot. I would not even dare to put the game in the FPS category. Combat is trivial and dull, but fortunately the amount you have to do is proportional to this, not unlike in its less popular successor. Also, there are some technological issues. But if you care about the atmosphere, all the above comes together in an immersive experience. The game opens up the door to the backstage of the modern world. You get to see the city from aspects from which you don’t get to in real life. Rooftops, subways, aqueducts, ventilation systems. You get to roam freely while the city below your feet goes about its business. The music and the noise of the city has the perfect vibe. And the strong and vivid colors set the mood perfectly, even the overemphasized white. To me this signifies that you are on the roof, that is under the sun, nothing blocks you, you are free, while the average people down below struggle in the darkness, in the shadows of the skyscrapers, locked away from real freedom, bound by the achievements of modern civilization. The visuals are on the border of reality and fiction, or in other words - on the mirror’s edge. So, if you care about such nonsense, then this is a game for you. Otherwise you may try the reboot, which is a technological masterpiece (except for the combat) with a bit more interesting story, and the only thing they had to sacrifice for that is the soul of the game.

Why does dystpoia have to be grey? Why do there have to be overcast skies, trash and rain puddles to show you that society is bad? Mirror's Edge rejected those answers. It gives you a police state with fresh paint, with exquitiste design instead of grime, and tells you, EVEN IF IT'S NOT GREY, IT'S STILL BAD. Even if it doesn't look despressing, it's still oppressive! And I'll always love it for that.

A unique free-flowing parkour experience albeit rather short, this game kick started the first person parkour features in most games. The maps are well created for smooth flows of movements and some alternative paths you can take. Hand to hand combat feels hard hitting, but combat in general slows the pace down particularly with heavier weapons to show Faith's lack of experience. 100% recommend this game as one of the gems with a cult following.

Still a classic all these years later. Solid free-running mechanics with an excellent story, if a bit minimalist. The performance is still impressive, even on older hardware, in my experience. For Linux users, another GoG user has set up a guide to get up and running, and it's really helpful. https://www.gog.com/forum/mirrors_edge/mirrors_edge_for_linux