SupermanSam6:
I have seen a lot about the new dashboard and can't wait 'til it comes, but I've also heard that it might not be coming to the ...
OXM SAYS:
The Xbox 360's new Dashboard will be a worldwide launch, so no need to worry about it not reaching the UK. Altho...MORE
Ezilylost13 says:
"Why don't I like Fallout 3? I just am not getting into it. I'm about 4 hours in and I'm supposed to be looking for a radio station. I am taking my time, doing some exploring and really trying to enjoy it. While I'm playing though, all I can think about is wanting to play something else."
Posted on: Nov 07, 2008
Mirror's Edge
WORDS BY: Paul Curthoys
When we play games, the only genuine sensation of movement that usually registers is the mashing of buttons and thumbsticks. So the most extraordinary accomplishment of Mirror’s Edge is the way it utterly immerses you in the experience of free-running — you viscerally feel the thrill of flowing gracefully over rooftops and around obstacles. The marvelously designed first-person view makes you feel like you are Faith, the game’s star. And since she’s one mighty badass, this game is a joy to play.
Set in a totalitarian near-future, Mirror’s Edge imagines a city where oppressive law enforcement means every move is watched and every action judged. While most of the population complies like sheep, a renegade organization of runners flits across the rooftops, ducking all that surveillance to deliver private data and packages. It’s the perfect framework to hang a parkour game on, and while free running might not seem meaty enough to support an entire game, Mirror’s Edge makes it work beautifully with an inventive blend of platforming, combat, and puzzles.
But before the word “platforming” scares you off, let us assure you that it’s almost an unfair label to hang on this game. Traditional platformers have faded off most of our radars because they feel tediously unfair. They have some B.S. mechanic that you tilt against until you unravel some arcane trick, and then voilà — you get to move on with equal parts relief and satisfaction. In Mirror’s Edge, it’s all satisfaction. Everything is completely doable if you mind your training and remember that Faith is a runner, not a fighter.
By “everything,” we mean sorting out the fastest route across a cluttered rooftop while a helicopter gunship nips at your heels, or deciphering how to climb a towering building with only occasional scaffolding to cling to. While your path through the game as a whole is linear, your choice of routes through these obstacles is impressively open. For example, to cross one gap, we could wall-run across it, drop down low and scuttle under a tunnel, or — our fave — wait for a train to come, then hop briefly onto its roof before springing to the other side in one awesome flurry.
And that’s a big part of the genius of Mirror’s Edge. There’s always a basic route you can follow (often highlighted in red), but identifying the fastest route takes a masterful, audacious eye. The controls are simply and intelligently designed: LB moves you upward (jumping, hurdling) and LT takes you downward (sliding, rolling, dropping). So it’s almost never a question of whether your reflexes are up to the job, but more of whether you’ve got the gumption to even consider trying something in the first place.
With so many options, it’s good — vital, really — that the B button gives you hints. You will get turned around and lose your bearings, especially with the cops so perpetually in hot pursuit. When that happens, pressing B sorts you out by shifting the camera to focus on the most basic way ahead. It leaves you free to run, creating some fantastic moments like the time we burst from a building and slid forever down a steeply sloped roof as bullets pinged around. It was a rush, but we were starting to worry about what to do next until tapping B fixed our eyes on a way to use all that built-up speed to shoot across a ridiculously large gap. We wanted to leap to our feet and cheer when we made it, and that’s one of the things we love about this game — it creates that kind of exultation.
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 19:28
Posted by HAYRON
I've got to support this review 100%
There's no better 'new' gaming experience out there right now. This game is fantastic, nearly flawless.
I finished my first playthrough on normal mode & got the Test of faith achievement as well. I'm on the next to last chapter on Hard mode right now. And that leads me to the game's only flaw, which really the devs should take as a compliment... the game is too short. That just means we want more, and as I said, is a compliment, considering so many people were afraid the game would get dull and repetitive.
The environments and paths were different enough that each level felt like a fresh design.
Great Game.
Mon, 11/17/2008 - 22:25
Posted by Paul OXM
We don't review games based on the curve set by Metacritic & Co. We say what we think after completing the games we review and having at least one other, if not more, staffer spend significant time with the game. We're very diligent about how we conduct reviews, and if you don't like our opinions, feel free to return to the mags and websites that don't challenge your assumptions.
Sun, 11/16/2008 - 23:22
Posted by ReignINblooD420
wow... a 9.5 for this game? your sister company in the UK gave it a 7. if you look at metacritic the game averaged a 7.9 and your review is the highest of them all. yet another inaccurate review by the team at OXM it would seem. I'm seriously starting to doubt you guys play these games to the fullest before reviewing them.
Sun, 11/16/2008 - 21:12
Posted by wickedclowns95
This game is amazing. Already beat it twice though. Once on easy so I could do the achievement for not shooting anybody and once again on hard for that achievement. I now have 625 gs from it after about 15 hours of the game. I also tried some of the time trials and speed-runs and some of them are really freaking hard. I'm not done with them but I can't say that I haven't had any of those controller throwing moments already because it sucks when you hit a button combo wrong and realize your mistake before watching yourself plummet to your death. Also on the speed-runs, you can't mess up or you've got to start over, that can make some of them pretty difficult too.
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Inhale the damage smoothly
Paradise isn't lost
It was hiding all along.
Sun, 11/16/2008 - 03:27
Posted by SeargentWiggles
i'm getting this game for christmas, time can't go any slower!!!
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 03:22
Posted by DelishusSeagull
This game is amazing and it's one of my all time favorites already, i just wish it was longer. Great review paul, you hit the nail right on the head.
Tue, 11/11/2008 - 14:44
Posted by insomniak
im totally with you man. i got a ton of games yet to play and buy. Ive been working so much so I have money to buy them all but not to play them. Right now im working on Call of Duty 2 ( just bought it for the first time like a month ago for $20 and well worth it), Saints Row 2, Far Cry 2, Fallout 3 and Rockband 2. I still have to get Spiderman: Web of Shadows, Gears of War 2, Guitar Hero World Tour, Mirrors Edge, Left 4 Dead, Fable 2, Call of Duty: World at War, Quantum of Solace, Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, Need for Speed Undercover and Price of Persia before the end of the year. Too many good games indeed not that Im complaining.
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 23:51
Posted by wickedclowns95
This game brought back memories of a single game that I demand everyone goes out and buys today. It reminded me of Breakdown for the original X-Box. Find a used copy if you can because it too was an incredible fps game with fighting elements. I've played this Demo many times and decided to pre-order this game. It looks freaking amazing as far as graphics. This holiday season is putting a gaping hole in my wallet. I haven't even bought Fable 2 yet. I've been playing Rock Band 2, Fallout 3, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Gears of War 2, and Legendary. And of course, I want to shell out another $60 for this game. Not to mention that I already payed off Left 4 Dead... Too many good games coming too fast... There is just no way I can get them all...
---------------------------
Inhale the damage smoothly
Paradise isn't lost
It was hiding all along.
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 04:23
Posted by squishydog2
Im waiting until christmas because i just dont have the money right now lol. I loved the demo though. Great review Paul.
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 22:32
Posted by Paul OXM
"How long" is always hard to answer. It's not a long game -- it's on the short side of average, I'd say. Maybe six hours if you hustle, eight if you linger. I'll be playing the time trials forever, though...
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 16:45
Posted by iThomas
Paul, you're becoming one of my favorite reviewers at OXM. You give games great praise that deserve it without nitpicking over every little blemish (something I think many do too much of just to make their reviews seem more "professional" while at the same time alienating people on what's truly a great game). I played the demo and loved it. Prior to doing so, the game was simply going to be a rental for me, but after playing the demo and reading this review, I've pretty much put it on my "to buy" list once I play through all these other big games. I applaud EA this year. They've been cranking out some extremely solid games. I still wish OXM would've given much more love to the exceptional Dead Space, however :P
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 14:47
Posted by FirelanderX
I do not care how long this game is, I spent about 7 hours playing the demo's time trail. So yeah... I think I will be playing this for quite some time. :P
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gm2bhovFcI&fmt=18
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 14:25
Posted by CAWeissen
So, roughly how long is the single player storyline? 8 hours?
_________________
"People should not be afraid of their government...government should be afraid of their people."
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 01:36
Posted by l TopGunX l
Cant Wait for this one!
I always trust OXM's reviews
But I loved the demo anyway!
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Sat, 11/08/2008 - 05:36
Posted by FirelanderX
I <3 this game... :D
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gm2bhovFcI&fmt=18
Sat, 11/08/2008 - 05:05
Posted by thedude8591
Despite it getting a great review, I still think it's a rental game for me. Cool reveiw though.
Sat, 11/08/2008 - 04:27
Posted by 12345678910
Great, great review! I havent been paying too much attention to this one but ill have to check it out. It sounds great!
Sat, 11/08/2008 - 01:13
Posted by volcane2004
Great Review! Glad I preordered it! This game is awesome!!! =)
Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:20
Posted by ill sue y4
i was then considering mirrors edge, now im going to make the possibility of me purchasing mirrors edge very strong.