Metareview -- Mirror's Edge (PS3, Xbox 360)
by Alexander Sliwinski 
on Nov 11th 2008 5:30PM
Mirror's Edge may not be perfect, but it's getting bonus points for trying something different and attempting to evolve the very exclusive genre of first-person platformers (
Metroid Prime previously being the go-to example). Within the 'stiq network,
PS3 Fanboy gave the game an 8/10 and
Joystiq has posted its non-numerical verdict. As for platform purchase choice, the PS3 is expected to receive some "
exclusive" content, which has yet to be revealed, but beyond that it's a controller preference issue. The game uses both rows of shoulder buttons constantly during gameplay, so having a big button on top is nice on the
Sixaxis or
DualShock 3, but some may prefer the trigger of the 360 controller. If you're versatile, the whole issue of top or bottom won't matter.
- CVG (90/100): "Not your average gaming experience - Mirror's Edge takes the FPS format and flips it on its head. A brilliant and unique experience, even if the small shooting parts aren't quite up to scratch."
- GameSpy (80/100): "The combat's unfortunately its Achilles' heel, since it lacks the spontaneity of the free-running and in many instances brings the action to a crashing halt. Thankfully, after you've beaten the game, the time trials and speed runs reward you for avoiding violent confrontation and emphasize the exhilarating rush of zipping through each gorgeous stage."
- EuroGamer (80/100): "There's something broken thematically, deep within Mirror's Edge: it tells you a rambling story about freedom even as it confines you to the tight squares of its own personal hopscotch court, and for many that will be one wrong-footing too many. But for those who can shrug off the contradictions and the limitations, ignore the tearing cityscape and lingering qualms about value for money, this will shove you so deeply into the experience of being in someone else's body, and taking it on a terrifying, breakneck joyride, that nothing else will matter."
- IGN (73/100): "Mirror's Edge is a classic example of some awesome ideas that just didn't pan out the way that was originally intended. The list of moves could be more expansive -- maybe by adding a fourth button to the mix -- and the world feels entirely too constricting for what could be a huge open city. ... I truly hope that a sequel is spawned, but this first attempt falls just a bit short."
- GameSpot (70/100): "If you can overlook the array of quirks long enough to find your stride, you'll want to check out the beat-your-record races and level speedruns. ... The single-player story is simply a practice run for being a virtual show-off, yet the players repeating these levels, because they'll learn them to perfection, are also the ones likely to see Mirror's Edge at its most thrilling."
