It occurred to us that despite all our passion for first-person parkour-inspired game Mirror's Edge, you probably still don't get the appeal unless you've seen it in action. "A girl running around on rooftops fighting crime?" you ask with a sneer. "I liked it better the first time, when it was a guy, and it was called Batman."
We understand distrust of the unknown (it's the reason we're still alive) so we'd like to present, for your edification, the Mirror's Edge demo. Now, if you can watch this and still not get excited we really have nothing more to talk about.
It's refreshing to see a bit of brightness in an FPS, but it's all too clean-cut and smooth. I don't find it realistic at all, and every rooftop looks the same.
I don't think realism is what they're really hitting for, if you've watched the animated cut scenes... There's such a thing as visual stylization, too.
Oh, is the story about Unilever and GlaxoKlineSmith finally taking over the world?
Visual stylisation maybe, but I think it just looks a little cheap; as if they couldn't afford or be bothered to make some better textures. In a way it is a little reminiscent of the shiny rubber walls that plagued 360 launch games (Perfect Dark, I'm looking at you).
Would you prefer it to be covered in grungy textures for no reason and primarily using 5000 different shades of brown as its colour base?
The game looks different from most of the other grimdark next-gen bloomed up shit we get these days, and i like it.
Plus the idea is that its set in a futuristic, totalitarian, controlled state. The visual style helps show how controlled and neatly run the place is, by how tidy it is.
Who said anything about grunge and brown? Games like Gears of War and Resistance are at the opposite end of the spectrum, and I'm just saying that I'd enjoy some sort of happy medium.
As I said, I like the colour and think it's refreshing. Sorry for having taste in visuals that differ a little from everyone else's.
I don't know about this.. Is it more tactical than shoot 'em up? Also, is there going to be a HUD at all? I particularly am not wowed by the graphics either, but looks fun so far.
No, I mean good level design; a level designed in such a way that it doesn't make the player confused, but at the same time is not overly simplified. Look at adventure games like The Legend of Zelda. The games were designed well enough that you didn't need bright, flashing markers to tell you where to go. We need to stop dumbing down games.
Seriously now. I don't hear people complain when "Generic Uninspired FPS #2397823" comes out. This is more original than very, VERY many games coming out soon.
OMFG, just wow, i was watching the trailer, and all ikept thinking well jump over that it will be quicker or i dint think of that, this game seems like it will have immense replay value.
Looks pretty cool, however, is it really necessary to mark the right path in bright red? Heck, every Half-Life game has an off-the-beaten-path portion that is not clearly marked, and the vast majority of the fun of Deus Ex was finding sneaky ways into places. I understand that it meters the flow of the game, but still, I'd like to have to think creatively at least a little bit. I'm not sure if I'm willing to trade beauty in a game for the satisfaction of solving something, even if it's relatively trivial.
From all accounts the red "path" is a selectable option which you can turn-off if you want once you're used to the game - should add to the replayability finding the right routes without any hints.
I heard that different coloured pieces indicate different difficulty routes -For example, there is a set of orange stairs in one of the videos, and where she wall runs in this one, the wall is yellow.
Also, I heard that they were trying to remove the colour green, but I swear I've seen some green environments...
Did anyone notice that stupid ass clapping so obnoxiously when she jumped and caught the pole? I fucking get so annoyed when I watch these press footage videos and there are morons who just laugh WAY TOO LOUD and do stupid shit like clap. If I was there I wouldve poured my drink on him and laughed and clapped really loud.
I'm really looking forward to this game, but I got kinda dizzy watching that demo...it kinda worries me. I hope I can actually play this game without throwing up.
there is a little dot always in the middle of the screen to help with simulation sickness. I have been following this game and it looks great. They did reseach with ballarenas(sp) and they said they focus on one spot when doing there twirls and crap.
I'm with you on that one. Even Bioshock made me really sick the first few times I've played it. Try taking a pill of ginger root (you can get it at Walgreens, it's an herbal supplement). It has non-FDA-proven effects on motion sickness.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:40AM
While I'm not going to retract my previous Orange_X statement, I'm pretty hyped for this game.
Rholow @ Jul 24th 2008 4:16PM
Is this gonna be like Assassin's Creed? Man that would be hours of good times...wow...I gotta get my girl gaming more...sheesh! LOL
Sam @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:48AM
God that game is just 100% gorgeous.
Most anticipated game of the year for me. Really looks like it might actually do something right as far as first person platforming goes.
Just hope the game isn't too easy is all.
Ben @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:07PM
Gorgeous... really?
It's refreshing to see a bit of brightness in an FPS, but it's all too clean-cut and smooth. I don't find it realistic at all, and every rooftop looks the same.
ebola! @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:19PM
I don't think realism is what they're really hitting for, if you've watched the animated cut scenes... There's such a thing as visual stylization, too.
brokenscope @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:22PM
Ben, I don't think you understand the background of the story which explains the clear cut and cleanliness of the world.
Ben @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:37PM
Oh, is the story about Unilever and GlaxoKlineSmith finally taking over the world?
Visual stylisation maybe, but I think it just looks a little cheap; as if they couldn't afford or be bothered to make some better textures. In a way it is a little reminiscent of the shiny rubber walls that plagued 360 launch games (Perfect Dark, I'm looking at you).
Ben @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:39PM
*GlaxoSmithKline
**The corporate equivalent of Jonah Falcon.
Sam @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:48PM
Would you prefer it to be covered in grungy textures for no reason and primarily using 5000 different shades of brown as its colour base?
The game looks different from most of the other grimdark next-gen bloomed up shit we get these days, and i like it.
Plus the idea is that its set in a futuristic, totalitarian, controlled state. The visual style helps show how controlled and neatly run the place is, by how tidy it is.
Ben @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:05PM
Who said anything about grunge and brown? Games like Gears of War and Resistance are at the opposite end of the spectrum, and I'm just saying that I'd enjoy some sort of happy medium.
As I said, I like the colour and think it's refreshing. Sorry for having taste in visuals that differ a little from everyone else's.
natels @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:51AM
I don't know about this.. Is it more tactical than shoot 'em up? Also, is there going to be a HUD at all? I particularly am not wowed by the graphics either, but looks fun so far.
Shinagani @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:55AM
Since you can play through the entire game without using a single gun, I'm going to guess "Shoot em' up" is not likely.
natels @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:06PM
Also.. Are the red 'platforms' labeled specifically to give you a boost or to show you where to jump or is it pure coincidence..?
Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:18PM
No,that's an actual gameplay mechanic so players don't get lost.
Einhanderkiller @ Jul 23rd 2008 7:06PM
Whatever happened to designing a level in such a way that you don't need markers to guide the player?
Omega2k3 @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:31PM
You mean entirely linear and boring? It seems like it's delay activated, and they've already said you don't have to follow the path.
Einhanderkiller @ Jul 24th 2008 3:14PM
No, I mean good level design; a level designed in such a way that it doesn't make the player confused, but at the same time is not overly simplified. Look at adventure games like The Legend of Zelda. The games were designed well enough that you didn't need bright, flashing markers to tell you where to go. We need to stop dumbing down games.
Shinagani @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:53AM
I really like the "Don't have to kill people" idea... It's just different in a realistic action game.
Dr. Stabbingworth @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:22PM
Maybe. I can not kill people IRL. That's why I play games.
InfinityPlusOne @ Jul 24th 2008 1:07AM
And you can't jump from building to building either so what's your point?
FieryCoD @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:55AM
Magnificent. This is gonna be GREAT.
LiqwidZero @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:56AM
Can you not roll when you land from a building to building jump? It makes no sense that you have to take damage like that.
Sam @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:21PM
You can roll, but that demo-er obviously just forgot to.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:09PM
The demo-er obviously just forgot to barrel roll.*
Dravean @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:56AM
it is gonna be hard but i am SO getting that no bullets fired achievement!
killploki @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:56AM
i hope there is a bit more variety to the roof tops. There seems to be a lot of climb fence, slide under pipe action in that demo.
Julio @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:59AM
if you played Action Quake 2 you know this game will be awesome
Mr.ESC @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:59AM
Friggin awesome.
mkernan @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:03PM
Yeah, this looks awesome. I already put $5 down at Gamestop so I can get a free ugly yellow messenger bag.
spyker @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:05PM
I haven't seen this level 100 times. I guess I'll watch anyway...
JetEngineJesus @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:18PM
Awesome. An entire game of jumping puzzles based on a 3-year old fad....
Wake me up when they incorporate the Pogs mini-game into it...
brokenscope @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:28PM
Awesome, An entire game of shooting people/finding stuff/stabbing people/grinding xp/ blah blah blah blah.
So you mean its like most other games then.
Vault @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:05PM
Seriously now. I don't hear people complain when "Generic Uninspired FPS #2397823" comes out. This is more original than very, VERY many games coming out soon.
BeeDizz @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:29PM
"I liked it better the first time, when it was a guy, and it was called Batman."
Actually i think it was called "Breakdown".
candafilm @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:35PM
Is the game open world sandbox or is it strictly mission based? It would be great to just run around the city jumping from building to building.
emirabal @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:47PM
OMFG, just wow, i was watching the trailer, and all ikept thinking well jump over that it will be quicker or i dint think of that, this game seems like it will have immense replay value.
Thanks for the video guys.
DGautreau86 @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:57PM
if there is 'time trial' type things, I bet there will be a lot of cool speedruns on youtube.
Phillip @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:53PM
*halo music voice* aaaahhh aaaahhh aaahhh ooohhhh ahhhhh ...
Robert @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:59PM
Looks pretty cool, however, is it really necessary to mark the right path in bright red? Heck, every Half-Life game has an off-the-beaten-path portion that is not clearly marked, and the vast majority of the fun of Deus Ex was finding sneaky ways into places. I understand that it meters the flow of the game, but still, I'd like to have to think creatively at least a little bit. I'm not sure if I'm willing to trade beauty in a game for the satisfaction of solving something, even if it's relatively trivial.
Schuey19 @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:24PM
From all accounts the red "path" is a selectable option which you can turn-off if you want once you're used to the game - should add to the replayability finding the right routes without any hints.
Robert @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:27PM
Cool, thanks. I hadn't heard that, but I appreciate the info.
sreykja @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:45PM
I heard that different coloured pieces indicate different difficulty routes -For example, there is a set of orange stairs in one of the videos, and where she wall runs in this one, the wall is yellow.
Also, I heard that they were trying to remove the colour green, but I swear I've seen some green environments...
Vault @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:06PM
I'm just hoping this game doesn't pull an Assassin's Creed and have an amazing free-running mechanic tied into an otherwise boring game.
Meresin @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:24PM
I just want to know which platform they recorded the E3 trailer from. It looked a lot cleaner than the original trailer.
j.howlett @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:50PM
so many games, so little money
donner @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:06PM
Did anyone notice that stupid ass clapping so obnoxiously when she jumped and caught the pole? I fucking get so annoyed when I watch these press footage videos and there are morons who just laugh WAY TOO LOUD and do stupid shit like clap. If I was there I wouldve poured my drink on him and laughed and clapped really loud.
dustandechoes91 @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:14PM
Going through the game without firing one shot?
I smell XBL achievement/psn trophy
James @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:16PM
I'm really looking forward to this game, but I got kinda dizzy watching that demo...it kinda worries me. I hope I can actually play this game without throwing up.
zelderman @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:46PM
there is a little dot always in the middle of the screen to help with simulation sickness. I have been following this game and it looks great. They did reseach with ballarenas(sp) and they said they focus on one spot when doing there twirls and crap.
Saria the Cat @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:47PM
I'm with you on that one. Even Bioshock made me really sick the first few times I've played it. Try taking a pill of ginger root (you can get it at Walgreens, it's an herbal supplement). It has non-FDA-proven effects on motion sickness.