39. Mirror's Edge

(Xbox360/PS3/PC, Digital Illusions, 2008)
I don't have a head for heights. Inside a building, it isn't a problem, but out in the open, I get an incredible urge to jump from high places and a horrible weakness of the knees. Standing on a footstool and looking up and down does very little for me, if I catch the view out of a window, my eyes tend to do a dolly reverse (Accomplished by moving my eyes backward whilst simultaneously zooming in....or something)

Faith Connors however, suffers no such trauma, if she did, she would be on the unemployment line. Faith is a "Runner" a maverick courier whose job is to deliver packages to their destinations away from the prying eyes of her city's totalitarian leaders. In a world where constant observation has eliminated crime. All communication is monitored, Faith and her friends are here to ensure that your private business stays that way. High above the prying eyes, The runners travel from building to building. at the peak of physical perfection, they are fast, agile and fearless. When Faith's sister Kate is framed for the murder of an eminent politician. Faith must use all her skills and more to save her sister's reputation and maybe her own life.

Played in first-person, Mirror's Edge attempts to accurately capture the feelings of speed, disorientation, balance and adrenaline felt by the world's finest Parkour artists. The player controls Faith as she makes her way through various zones of the picturesque city, avoiding the various government hit-squads chasing her and, of course, doing her best not to become a sticky mess on the streets way down below.
It is like no other game, it strongly encourages the player to avoid combat (though high-flying melee attacks are available) and concentrate on moving through the scenery with grace and fluidity, using all the acrobatic moves at Faith's disposal to make the journey fast, but as smooth as possible.

The graphics are basic but this is presumably to keep the speed up, the city is brilliantly portrayed as being crystal clear and squeaky clean, whilst still conveying the dark "1984"-esque overtones of its totalitarian government. The game has no HUD in an attempt to truly allow the player to immerse in their surroundings. The music is beautifully composed and conveys both the calmness and isolation of the silent rooftops along with the pulse pounding action of running from gunfire some seventy stories above the ground. Once the player has mastered the controls, getting Faith from A to B can be a thing of beauty as she runs, jumps, slides, rolls and vaults her way to her destination without missing a beat.

Mirror's Edge isn't for everyone, the gameplay doesn't vary much and many players may get bored partway through. A first-person game without an emphasis on shooting may even terrify some players (I earned an achievement for finishing the game without ever firing a gun. A proud moment in my gaming lifetime) the game also has frantic camera-bob and much spinning and rolling, so it's really not for the motion sick.

I thought Mirror's Edge was artistic, stylish and sublime and have played it through several times. Special mention should be given to the character of Faith Connors, a down-to-earth, attractive, capable, brave, strong and intelligent protagonist.
Mirror's Edge did badly in the sales, pushed aside by the more obvious first-person experiences. The really sad part was Mirror's Edge lack of success conveys to developers that originality is a no-go area and guarantees us crappy cut-and-paste shooters for many more years.
Fortunately, it appears Mirror's Edge will be getting a sequel, so the people who did enjoy it have reason to celebrate.

Please take the leap of Faith, because if you make it, it'll be poetry in motion.