SFX 360 | Mirrors Edge™

For most players, any game that is done in a first-person perspective is a shooter which is something we're all used to playing. Mirror's Edge is not your typical first-person action game, nor is it really a shooter. This is an action/adventure game where the idea is to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible without dying. From what we've seen so far, Electronic Arts and DICE have done a great job making a game that's different from the mainstream of games we're all used to.

You play the game as the main character named Faith. She is a female courier with a mission to deliver sensitive documents all on foot to specific people. You would think these days couriers would be somewhat obsolete with electronic media like the internet, but the governament has absolute control over all electronic services. While all this sounds pretty basic in theory, Mirror's Edge will literally take you to the edge with nonstop action. EA has assured us that the storyline is very entertaining with plenty of white-knuckle thrills...and maybe spills if you fail.

So how do you get around from point A to point B. Well all you have to do is find the easiest path to take, but easy this is not. Faith will have to run and jump across rooftops of various buildings, scale walls and fences, and even cross narrow platforms. Most of these places will be highlighted in red so that you know where your going, but sometimes there might be a better way to go. You'll be running, sliding, jumping, dodging, and doing various balancing acts all the way through each stage with barely any breaks in the action. I can assure you after my playtime with this game at PAX each time you play is different because there are so many routes to take, but you never know what will happen next. This game features plenty of puzzle solving especially when looking for the best route to take.

Don't worry action fans, while this new concept will keep you on the edge of your seat, there is also combat sequences. Faith can punch and kick just like any other person. She can also slow down time to disarm her enemies and use their weapons to take down the evil government peons that block your progress. Remember that this game is not really a shooter, and I've been assured by the developers that this game can be beaten without firing a single shot. Also according to them there is an achievement based on this concept for all you achievement whores out there. Just check out the PAX Day One Podcast for more info on that.

The camera in Mirror's Edge is extremely unique. The camera flows with the action at a great pace so you won't feel confused on where you are and what you need to do. This is a good thing to know and I wish other games before it would've made better use of the camera (Ninja Gaiden II) like Mirror's Edge has so far.