Mirrors Edge – An Ecstasy Ride On Rooftops

Released in 2008 for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, with a later release in 2009 for Microsoft Windows, Swedish company, Dice’s ‘Mirrors Edge’ is an all-out action-packed, heart-thumping action-adventure game based in a near-future cityscape. Focusing on movement as its core mechanic, what Mirrors Edge does differently to many others is the focal point is not gritty action. Instead, its focus is on momentum and traversing buildings, walls, obstacles, and more to escape and evade.

You control Faith Connors, part of the underground Parkour messengers dubbed ‘runners’ tasked to deliver private goods for sensitive information across the city. This city crime rate is very low, and life is comfortable, but only due to an oppressive regime. These runners operate independently, and the story leads you on a hunt to discover who set up your sister for a murder she did not commit.

Mirrors edge has an incredibly unique art direction and aesthetic, one that wouldn’t look out of place today with a few upgrades even though it is now over 10 years old. It’s approach of exceedingly white and clean backgrounds and bold primary colours give the game such a lasting impression it is still identifiable today.

Visual cues for directions through what’s called ‘runners visions’ helps identify Faith's paths. Vibrant red splashes in an otherwise flat and white city highlight the fact that the oppressed city has lost its character, and Faith’s outlook on the city is a cold and heartless one aside from her love for running. What enhances this is the use of the first-person camera, allowing you to get engrossed in the parkour of these and see the world through Faith’s eyes. We can only imagine what a VR iteration of the game would be like.

The sound design was also heavily praised, said to be adding to the fluidity of Faith's movements and maintaining such momentum that there was never a dull moment. Although unfortunately the story's plot often was said to fall short.