PS3 Review – Mirror’s Edge
Despite the mixed reviews is it worth it?
The first time I saw Mirror’s Edge I thought that it wasn’t a title for me to be honest, but that all changed when the demo was released via PSN a couple weeks back. I have never played a title that was like this. I think that is why it intrigued me so much.
The demo alone made it purchase worthy to me. Though I will not deny that when I saw so many negative reviews prior to the launch of the game my confidence in the title was diminished some. But once I actually looked at the reviews a lot of them based the low scores on one main thing, length of the game. Anytime there is a complaint about the length of a game it immediately makes me think of one title that was hurt in the reviews department, Heavenly Sword.
A lot of people missed out on it because of the low scores, but in the end Heavenly Sword is one of my all time favorite games from this generation. Mirror’s Edge is becoming that way as well it seems. While I will say this, Mirror’s Edge is not for everyone, and it will not appeal to everyone. But it appealed to me, and in the end I am glad I purchased it. Hopefully this review will help you decide whether or not the title is right for you.
What I Liked:
- -The Artistic Approach—I don’t know how to explain it, but this game has such a “clean” feel to it. Overall the way the city looks is just beatiful. The cutscenes also have a whole different feel different from the entire game. They have more of an anime look.
- -First Person View—I love that they basically made a game that you can beat in the first person perspective without actually having to use a gun. Also they added in that you can see Faith’s hands, feet, and legs while moving about throughout the city.
- -Choices With Combat—There is actually choices for the player to use. You want to shoot, fight, run away? They all work regardless in this title depending on how you feel like playing at that time.
- -A Puzzler?—This game reminds me a lot of Portal in a lot of ways for some reason. While Portal was the better game overall, Mirror’s Edge is innovative and a great title in it’s own right. Many times throughout the game you will need to get to a certain place within the city. Typically to find the destination or direction you can hold down the O button and it will show you the general direction. Well a lot of times when this is done it will show you, but leave out several steps. Some of these steps require a specific action to be taken to get across that gap, down the building, etc. I’ve heard many people complain about this, but I actually like it. People are spoon fed entirely too much in today’s games. There is actually some challenge within this title.
- -Great Controls/Gameplay—It is very solid in the way Faith moves when running throughout the game. The gameplay is very solid as well. Everything just moves so fluidly while playing throughout the game. There are a couple of complaints that I have about things like jumping though, but they will be addressed in the disliked section.
- -Edge of Your Seat—this game will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. There is nothing like running across buildings while a SWAT team is chasing you and a helicopter is following your every move. You dart in and out of buildings trying to get away while bullets are flying by you. To sum it up, it is an amazing experience.
- -More than Meets the Eye—I would’ve been happy if the game would’ve just have been like the demo overall, but it is so much more. There is so much more depth to the title that can’t be experienced through the demo. The level diversity is an example of this. You go through malls, the city, train stations, shipyards, etc. These are just a few of the levels available throughout the story.
- -Time Trials—There is a cool mode that is considered online but doesn’t include any multiplayer, it is called Time Trials. You basically are going through the levels as quickly as possible and depending on the routes/paths that you take you are judged by your time and a number of stars. It is quite addictive and your times are compared to everyone who owns the title.
- -An Actual Challenge—There is no two ways about it, there are parts of this game that will make you want to break your controller, especially on Hard Mode. But personally I loved it. There are two many games that are a cakewalk nowadays. I enjoyed the challenge.
What I Disliked:
- -Story Disappoints During Second Half—This is for the first half of the game only though. The story had me very intrigued up until I basically figured everything out for myself. I think that the easy route was taken on the second half of the game.
- -Length—The length of the game was a bit of a downer. It definitely left me wanting for more. Luckily there are other modes that can take up a lot of your time.
Buy/Rent/Stay Away:
There is no doubt that there are a lot of titles out right now that deserve your attention. These holday times have been a great time for gaming. In fact at times it has been overwhelming. I have noticed that this game has a bit of a love/hate relationship, meaning that people are typically in love with this title or they can’t stand it. It kind of reminds me of the whole Assassin’s Creed mixed review fiasco that happened a while back when it was released. This is why that I am saying if you are unsure about it then go ahead and give this title a rent before you purchase it. If you absolutely loved the demo like I did then you will most likely enjoy the title quite a bit. But in the end there is much more that could’ve been done with the title, both length and story wise. I am by no means saying it is even close to a bad title in my opinion, it’s just lacking in some areas.
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
Great mix of puzzles, fighting, and acrobatics. May be too linear for some, but hidden/alternate routes are included. |
 |
20 Responses to “PS3 Review – Mirror’s Edge”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Look who is in love. I’m telling Mrs. Pete on you.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:53 PM
I like the art direction a lot. Very clean ,just the oposite of every game out there.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:07 PM
I’ve almost finished the story mode and have loved every minute of it. Very refreshing change of pace with all the new shooters out there. I strongly suggest playing through the game at least once without using a gun. I feel it adds to the “edge of your seat” gameplay. Just my opinion. I must admit, it’s very hard to toss the machine gun when you’re surrounded by enemies, but it makes you think faster and learn the “flow” of the game. I highly recommend giving this game a chance.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:10 PM
@Chris
We will not tell Mrs. Pete on me lol. There is nothing like a woman’s wrath.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:33 PM
As much fun as I had with Mirror’s Edge, I don’t think I can recommend it as a buy. The gameplay is awesome, but the game can easily be completed in around 7-8 hours… which to me honestly isn’t worth $60. The frustrating time trials (and super frustrating Speed Runs) can extend the game some, but still not enough. The story was decent, but if there’s ever a ME2… I think I may just rent it. I may get fell a little less bitter towards the money I spent on it that way.
I played through normal without using guns, and I was getting extremely pissed at parts (which means it’s a challenging game, which is good). Particularly when the O button didn’t help at all while I’m trying to find out where the hell I am supposed to go while still avoiding 6 or 7 enemies firing at me from all directions. Yea, once you see where you are to go it’s relatively easy, but finding that while quickly running around the area and not having the Runners Vision pop in until you’ve looked away really doesn’t help.
My LARGEST complain, and likely the reason I wouldn’t recommend it to a majority of people, is that you tend to repeat the same section over and over and over multiple times until everything just happens to work out. I’ve had spots where I played through it exactly the same with a completely different outcome, at least in most other games a certain strategy can usually allow progression. Mirrors Edge seems to border between a lot of luck and some skill. My prime example would be an area in chapter 1 where I was attempting to jump over a fence, half the time I could jump and coil and not make it over while others I could just jump and clear it without a problem, and yes it was from the same exact location with very little difference in speed.
I’m sure there is a LOT more I could say on ME right now… but I gotta simmer down first.
My suggestion: Rent it. It’s a great game, but it’s short and doesn’t offer an as emersive experience that so many other games can.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:54 PM
@Pete
Fine, I will hold my peace. But don’t let me catch you running around with Mirror’s Edge. Mrs. Pete will not like that
November 17th, 2008 at 11:00 PM
@Phoenix
Well said. I kind of look at M.E. as a title that won’t do all that well. I think it will be another Heavenly Sword. The length will definitely hurt it. It is a great title, and so was Heavenly Sword (one of my favorite titles this generation).
November 18th, 2008 at 4:33 AM
@bigpete7978
and both stories(HS and ME) written by the same woman. coincidence, i think not.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:11 PM
@ sean
Is this a fact? I’ve not read that anywhere and figure that would have definitely been mentioned by now.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:44 PM
@sean
Yeah I’ve never heard of that before either. I would love to see a link if you have it handy.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:26 PM
nice review pete! shes mine by the way /:(
November 19th, 2008 at 12:16 AM
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/heavenly-sword-writer-to-script-mirrors-edge/
thats the first link on google. but i can get more if u want
November 19th, 2008 at 4:08 AM
@sean
Wow I never knew that. Thanks for the info.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:10 AM
Good game and review (doesn’t meaning that I didn’t read the other comments), I’ve heard lately that it’s possible a trilogy or more… I think I’ll buy the game for sure.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Yeah I’ve been hearing the same thing with the trilogy aspect. If it is I will definitely be picking up the other 2. I’d like to see where they go with the story.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:23 AM
Ah yes, the length was an issue , but the time trials were fun.
March 11th, 2009 at 6:10 PM
played the demo and it was kool,but notgettin the game any time soon tho
May 30th, 2009 at 10:31 AM
i really didn’t like the game. the stages after awhile all look / play the same.. unless your underground but above ground its all the same. regardless, its still a must buy for some.
June 15th, 2009 at 3:05 PM
[...] players and developers alike to rethink what is possible within the FPS genre, yet gained mixed critical success and did sell as well as EA and DICE had hoped. But contrary to what many expected, EA is pushing [...]
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:07 PM
i actually liked this game alot the controls were sometimes off. Im surprised the game didn’t sell well.