This Underrated Classic From 17 Years Ago Came Out A Few Years Too Early To Become A Phenomenon

by

Released 17 years ago, Mirror’s Edge was a unique game that quickly gained a dedicated following. Despite the studio later becoming famous for the Battlefield series, Mirror’s Edge stood out with its focus on fluid movement and parkour. Players explored a large city, completing challenging jumps and evading police while uncovering a dangerous plot.

What made Mirror’s Edge special was its consistent first-person perspective – the game never switched away from it. While it wasn’t a massive commercial success initially, it gained a dedicated following thanks to its unique look and fun gameplay. It’s a shame it didn’t come out more recently, though, because with today’s technology, Mirror’s Edge could have been a much bigger hit for DICE.

Mirror’s Edge Was A Minor Hit Before Becoming A Cult Classic

Originally released on November 11, 2008, Mirror’s Edge, created by DICE and published by Electronic Arts, was a successful game. I believe it would have been truly groundbreaking if it had been designed for virtual reality. Players control Faith Connors, a courier known as a Runner, as she navigates a futuristic city using first-person parkour. The game centers around Faith’s job delivering packages and information while evading the city’s authoritarian police force.

Faith jumps into action when her police officer sister is falsely accused of murder, determined to find the real killer and clear her name. The game puts you directly into the action with exciting chases across rooftops, quick zip lines, and daring wall jumps, all experienced through the character’s eyes. Although some reviewers initially found the trial-and-error gameplay a bit repetitive in its straightforward levels, the game was generally well-received by both critics and players.

The original Mirror’s Edge became a beloved classic, though it only had two sequels: a mobile prequel in 2010 and a 2016 reboot called Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, which received a less enthusiastic response. Over time, the game’s innovative first-person platforming has remained memorable for players, offering a fresh take on both shooting and jumping games. Its bright and colorful art style was designed to make the platforming clearer and more focused, giving the game a distinctive look that set it apart from the more realistic games of its time. This unique visual style played a key role in building a dedicated, long-term fanbase.

Why Mirror’s Edge Would Have Been Perfect For Now

What sets Mirror’s Edge apart is its surprisingly accurate prediction of trends in first-person games. By letting players experience the game directly through Faith’s eyes, it highlighted the risks and excitement of the acrobatic challenges common in many games. Looking back, its gameplay would have been perfect for showcasing the potential of early VR technology.

Headsets like the Meta 3 or PlayStation VR could have made Mirror’s Edge even more immersive, truly putting players in Faith’s shoes and letting them experience the world from her perspective. While the game is already quite engaging, the difference between how the player sees the action and what’s happening in the game world can sometimes pull you out of the experience.

Had Mirror’s Edge come out when VR headsets were more popular, it could have been a stunning and technologically advanced demonstration of what the hardware was capable of. Surprisingly, despite VR technology now being advanced enough to truly showcase the game’s innovative first-person parkour in a sprawling city, it still hasn’t been adapted for virtual reality.

Mirror’s Edge Is Due For A Reboot

Today marks the 17th anniversary of Mirror’s Edge, and many fans still hope for a proper sequel or revival. The game’s story – about rebels fighting a controlling, ever-watching government in a sprawling city – feels surprisingly relevant today. Its bright, unique art style gives it a lasting appeal, creating an interesting contrast with the serious political themes. Plus, the first-person perspective has become increasingly popular with gamers, particularly with the rise of virtual reality.

A truly immersive Mirror’s Edge experience would be incredible, making players feel genuinely rewarded for mastering its challenging jumps and fluid movements. Because the game hasn’t had a proper sequel yet, there’s a lot of potential for developers to expand Faith’s story and the world around her in exciting new ways.

Man, playing the original Mirror’s Edge now, it really feels ahead of its time. If it came out today, with how much players love immersive worlds and smooth movement, I think it would be huge. Even though it didn’t quite hit mainstream success, it’s still such a creative and one-of-a-kind game. I have a feeling it’ll stay a beloved cult classic until someone finally remakes it with all the new tech we have now, and then it’ll really get the attention it deserves.

Read More

2025-11-12 00:41