Sadly, too underated.
Mirrors Edge puts you in the feet of a runner known as Faith who's job is to carry messages across a city in which information is heavily monitor, using the rooftops.
I've seen a few reviews which chose to compare Mirrors Edge with Valves Portal, which in my eyes is a perfect comparison. Both games take the first person genre and do something completely different and original. However the only difference is, that Portal was praised for it's brilliance, whereas Mirrors Edge has been buried by the stampede of winter releases. It's only when you sit down and take a run with Faith, that you begin to realise it's true beauty.
Mirrors Edge looks, sounds and plays beautifully; despite it's trial and error moments, it's only when you build up the momentum that you start to love it. One would assume that the control scheme for this style of game would be one to cower at, however DICE have really nailed it on the head, allowing you to use only 3-4 buttons for a the majority of the game with which you can execute all of Faiths stylish moves.
Visually the game could easily stand at the top of most modern day releases, with stunning lighting effects coupled with the brightly coloured interiors of the nameless city setting, it really gives the game a unique look and overall style. Although the main objective of the game is to encourage the player to look at the environment differently; DICE don't leave you completely in the dark, by highlighting potential paths in the bright red associated with Runners.
The audio and soundtrack of the game also fit nicely with the style that DICE were trying to create. With music composed by electronic artist Solar Fields which compiled of fast 4/4 beats when being pursued or the ambient twinkles when pondering over a puzzle; whatever the scenario it really fits.
In conclusion, I'd have to say that Mirrors Edge is defiantly worth a rent if not a buy, just to take a look at what DICE have created in terms of innovation. Despite it's frustrating trial and error moments, it does stand out as a quality game; I just can't help but feel that most reviewers were expecting another shooter hence the bad reviews. Either way, try it, you won't be disappointed.
