Mirror's Edge

Replaying this game in 2021 failed to live up to my fond memories. There are good things about Mirror's Edge, but it can also be quite frustrating.

So, the first thing that withstood the test of time is the stunning visual design. The use of simple geometry, primary colors, blown-out lighting, and thick blur post-processing work together as a powerful language. Mirror's Edge's images had affected my dreams as I was playing. Second, the parkour flow—when it works—can be very smooth and satisfying.

Note the "when it works". Too often Mirror's Edge becomes a 3D platforming game, with all the awfulness that implies. The controls require precision but it's hard to aim, so there's a chance you will miss a ledge or a pipe or fail to break your fall in time. Not only does this ruin the flow but it also leaves you vulnerable to being shot.

Which leads us the biggest frustration: combat. It's not fun and there's way too much of it. You can definitely play as a "pacifist" who never fights but that won't stop the enemies from shooting at you. The AI has a strong random element, so there's a very good chance a few bullets will hit you no matter how clever you are. And if you die you will have to repeat the section. So, you'll likely be repeating a lot of sections just hoping that this will be the iteration in which the bullets miss you. It's that randomness that's frustrating.

Honestly, why is there combat at all? This game could have been much better as a straight-up environmental puzzle game. It's when the game gives you a challenge of getting from point A to B that it is most fun, and is indeed closest to the spirit of parkour.

Note that it's a fairly short game. The story is straightforward enough and yet still manages to be confusing. Even having played through it twice I don't entirely understand the motivations of the main characters or even who did what to whom.

What are we left with? Mirror's Edge is a stunningly beautiful game with mediocre gameplay. I'm giving it a thumbs up, but unless you're really into the visual language I suggest skipping this game.