Mirror's Edge Comments by Christian Donlan

Exactly as we'd figured at the Expo - it would be too short and the inside bits wouldn't be as good.

Am now torn as to whether or not to get this, especially with WotLK this week. Gah.

Not that it matters but this was reading like a 7 at best I have to say.

That said I am completely willing to overlook the criticisms you've levelled at it. I don't mind 'short' games (I prefer punchy games that I know I'll finish to sprawling epics that I'll play for a few weeks and never come back to, a finished game feels like better value to me than an incomplete 20+ hour game that I have no desire to finish), linearity (should never be a criticism of a game), problem solving leading to trial and error (although I can see how this would be disruptive and a bit of a let down in a game like this) etc etc.

I played the demo and really enjoyed it. My only problem is deciding whether to hold out for the PC version or just get it on PS3.

Incidentally I thought it was interesting how you invoked Portal and Assassin's Creed in this review because for the past year or so I've been saying that this game would turn out to be like one of the two (I enjoyed both). A runaway success or ambitious but flawed. Looks like the reality is somewhere in between. That's good.

I agree with the other guys above, this is a very well written review. Having played the demo, I think you're spot on Mr Writer. I loved the style and grace, but was niggled unbearably too.

The very word parkour is abominable. Language of love, hell yeah.

Review reads like a 5 or below. Is this just a shit game that you really wanted to be good, EG?

Good Review.

I have to admit I went from excited, to REALLY excited after seeing it at the expo, then after some proper time with the demo I'm not so sure. Might give my wallet some time off with this one - Besides, my girlfriend really wants MR so I'll just nick her copy!

Oh, and my god did they set PS3 version in jaggie world or what?

Its not too short at all. This is a game with old school kind of gameplay. There are challenging time trials, leaderboards and achievements. This is a game about playing the levels over and over until you get it perfect. It willl take ages to beat the timetrials. I know gamers that will love this and gamers that will hate it ( Darren).

I decided to cancel after the demo too.

Not a word about the PC version, and no demo either. :-( I wonder how mouse+keyboard controls work out for this game...

"Its worth noting that the 360 version will have you using the bumpers constantly. Look forward to that while playing the marginally more attractive copy of the game."

Eh???

I was really excited about this after seeing all the promo footage, but couldn't get on with the demo at all. There were a few bits where there were things that were red that I spent ages trying to get up something which I eventually realised was physically impossible, and that there was an unmarked door around the corner which was the actual 'way'.

I didn't get on with the demo at all. The rushed pace and lack of time to explore put me off it. IMO it's one of those games that looks so much better when you watch someone else play it but it's a whole lot less fun when I have to play it. I guess that explains why it looked so thrilling in the trailers but felt like a frustrating trial and error platform game albeit in first person when I actually tried it. I welcome new concepts but in this case it's one I didn't like unfortunately. Still saves me £40 I guess. :)

I agree with Oh-Bollox (Commenter #2). Reads way worse than an 8. Judging from the demo, almost certainly "most overrated game of the year" for me.

Hmmm based on the demo I would have given this a 7. Good review. I am gonna skip this one... really have too many things to play with right now :)

JSR was/is shit. You shut it.

"IMO it's one of those games that looks so much better when you watch someone else play it but it's a whole lot less fun when I have to play it"

My mates used to say that about Resident Evil (the bastards!).

I think you're right though Darren, that's pretty much the way I see at the moment. I'm not saying it's a bad game though, it's not really. It's just that I'm not "feeling" it now I've got my hands on it.

I'm sure many will love it though and EA/DICE have a hit on their hands, hell my missus can't get enough of the demo, she's clocked it quite a few times!

The thought of having to platform in first person just really turned me off this game from the start, whether you can see your feet or not.

Yep, agree with the others reads like it should of got less than 8, but happy it got that score as it is a brilliant game.

I loved the demo and am able to ignore the flaws as I love the style of the game.

Picking this up on friday :)

BTW, it might of been worth a mention that there's a 100 point achievement for not killing anybody in the game. So it doesn't matter that the shooting is dull or whatever theres more creative ways to defeat the enemies.

I got really stuck on the inside section in the demo, when doing the jump from wall ledge to pipe, which started me wondering whether some of the controls would be so flawed it'd make me want to grind the controller into dust. And whilst there wasn't a lot of combat, what there was by way of training didn't fill me with confidence. This review (and the Gamer.tv one at the weekend) has kind of summarised my concerns so I think I'll give it a miss. A shame, as it looks stunning. Hopefully if there's a sequel they can iron out the issues.

In the meantime I've got the new Motorstorm and Gears 2 to be getting on with, whilst I toy with ordering LBP and Fallout 3.

I loved the demo, and none of the negatives pointed out by this review are things that upset me. So that's good :)

@peterfll

I got stuck on that bit as well, thought you had to run on the wall or something, but all you need to do is jump up on the crates, then jump onto the ledge (its highlighted red) turn the camera to face the vent and press jump.

Not a single comment on the awesome audio design that went into this. Not sure how you can slate the story of M.E. so much and not even blink when Marcus Fenix spews out another cog-cliche.

Read like an 8 for me. A 7 perhaps, mainly because he talks more about the criticisms than the positives which I thought he conveyed well enough with fewer sentences, things that we already realise are good.

However, it's pretty a pretty trivial difference. A 5 it does not read like however 0_o

Whats with all the "reads like" comments?

I really wanted to like this, I really wanted it to be awesome, but that demo just killed it for me.

OMG Its 10!!

Wow what a short game - I can understand the quality over quantity argument with 10 hours and multiplayer but not here.

Face-off! Or wait for PC version?

10 hours is fine for a game, even without multiplayer. How many epic games plus multiplayer can you fit into life?

Played the demo on the weekend.

Was having a reasonably good time leaping about the rooftops but then I reached a bit with enemies, and then I knew it was a definite no-buy for me as the combat felt so out of place and awkward.

There should not have been any combat. I would have snuck a bit of stealthing in there instead.

"The control scheme initially seems lopsided, with the dominant context-sensitive up and down movements on the left triggers, but as soon as you start to trust the connection between controls and environment (the up button really will work out, whether you want to wall-run or just grab a ledge, and down will slide or roll judiciously), the tucks and swings and lunges fall into place"

First thing I did in the demo was swap the shouler controls. Did that before even playing the game, as I oculd tell from the control setup screen that the setup was wrong (don't ask a player to consistently and simultaneously use triggers and stick on the same side). So that shouldn't present an issue for anyone.

Ok EG, I respect the ads...it's fine. That Shaun White one can seriously fuck off though.

It being short is more of a positive for me (strange I know!) because I don't have a hell of a lot of time to play games, I'd prefer to play it from start to finish rather than leave it unfinished.

Also leaderboards etc are a nice addition, although multiplayer would of been better!

An 8 puts you guys off??

I'm certainly buying Mirror's Edge, but then I like to get the most out of my games and not just play the story mode and none of the extras.

cant wait

I can't really see past the PC version for this. Joypad controls just don't feel adequate.

Just a small question not that it really matter whatsoever, but if the reviewer played the PS3 version why is the review in the XBOX pages.

This is an OCD thing not a fanboy thing

Jet set radio was amazing for its time.
Style wise its still fresh.

Have to second everyone saying what a superbly written review this is. And PLEASE get rid of those annoying banners at the top of the page. Whatever marketing muppet came up with this irritating idea should be shot.

played the demo last night - sold.
probably wait though as too much to play right now.

i played the demo and it fucking rocks. Welll done EA, you got a purchase from me.
the music is awesome as well. truly unique game.
If u have the means, a projector makes this this x1000 times more awesome :)

"I would have snuck a bit of stealthing in there instead. "

Oh God no. Please no more putting stealth bits into games.




Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Oh man, I was planning on getting this day 1, but I am not sure now....7h is like heavenly sword, and I didn't touch it after I beat it ever again....

How are time trials and other bonus stuff? does it boost game time to at least 15h? full price for 8-9h (with hunting trophies) game is a bit to much, as I can have Valkyria Chronicles for way less and it will last me for a long time....

If not, than Ill wait till it hits bargain price ~_~ .....

Really loving the demo. I'm going to have to jump in methinks.

It's all very well with all these teasers, previews, demos and reviews for the console side but anything to do with the PC version is rare as rocking horse at the mo.

I just want a demo, nothing more than that.

EG, have you heard anything on that front, however vague ?

Interesting review. Read like a 7, but Christian's writing is great as always. From the demo, I was worried that the gameplay wouldn't sustain itself over a whole game.

Good review as others have said, nice one.

I enjoyed the demo a lot and have played it quite a few times - the best thing about this is the sense of flow and the way if you do something just right you build momentum... it's a nice feeling. I think if you like parkour or free running or like the idea of it then you will enjoy this.

I guess it's one of those scores where you +1 if you like the idea, -1 (or 2) if you don't. As much as I like it though I won't be buying because there's too much other stuff out at the mo - note to publishers, release some games in summer. I'll probably buy this next summer by which time it'll be £19.99 and you'll get less money.

Lastly sort your site out EG - that Shaun White ad is really annoying. Also in Opera I couldn't get to page two of the review and kept getting forwarded to Mirror's Edge on GAME. Have noticed this happening a lot lately.

+1 Tzetrik

the sound is incredible,from the dreamy menu screen to the impact sound of landing on those crash mats.
And yeah how people can be be spunking their cash on Generics Of War 2 when this brilliant title is out there, staggers me.

every game has its niggles, but you concentrate on the positives and this has them in droves.

and i hate Parkour too. XD

I was going to buy a second hand copy for PS3 (still boycotting EA till they remove activasions limit from pc versions) but with few hours gameplay time it slipped to buy used copy once it drops to 10 pounds on ebay category. Especially with demo being quite boring.

Get ad-blocker installed and you wont get all the annoying ads.

No Shaun White thank god!

I was going to say 'what Shaun White ad' then realised I have Adblock plus installed in Firefox.

As for Mirror's Edge, this review has done nothing to put me off getting the game. It's breath of fresh air in a stagnant room of shooters and racers, I'm looking at you GoW2 etc.