24 people found this review helpful
2
3
Recommended
0.0 hrs last two weeks / 41.8 hrs on record (39.2 hrs at review time)
Posted: 19 Feb, 2023 @ 9:31am
Updated: 18 Feb @ 12:54am

A High-Octane Journey Through a Dystopian World
Introduction
Note: It is treated as a reboot and not a continuation to Mirror's Edge (2007) but it does have a prequel i.e. The Mirror's Edge Exordium Comic which gets hinted in the game as well.

We play as Faith Connors in a beautiful dystopian white city of Glass. Everything in Glass is interconnected using a high-scale surveillance system called Grid. Most people in glass work for corporations whereas Faith is recognized as a Runner. https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2921421898 Runners are known for their expertise in parkour that allows them to traverse rooftops swiftly making one a perfect candidate for quick or illegal delivery jobs.

Gameplay
Graphics:
The city of Glass uses vibrant colors, minimalist design and sleek architecture presenting a memorable environment to explore day and night. Each character and their fashion are designed to seamlessly fit into such a world, showcasing an impressive attention to detail.

Difficulty:
It can get a bit overwhelming to finish a singular objective at hand until familiar with fair amount of mechanics that construct it’s parkour feature but with enough practice the feeling of pulling a perfectly exercised sequence of precise maneuvers is highly rewarding.

To help players catalyse this process of overcoming such case of difficulty, the game offers optional assistance as Runner Vision, Player Echoes & Tutorials.

Content & Replayability:
There are a total of 13 Campaign Missions, 15 Side Missions (that requires specific criteria to be unlocked), 5 collectable types & open world activities that encourages a player to explore the hidden corners of Glass.

Some of the open world activities are:

Delivery Jobs: Runners are usually hired to deliver packages within a set time limit & specific to case instructions.
These instructions break up delivery jobs in-game into 3 sub-categories:
  1. Dead Drop: No further restrictions.
  2. Fragile: Runner must not stumble more than once before completing the delivery.
  3. Covert: Runner must not allow themselves to be seen by anyone from K-Sec.
GridNodes:
These are special locations that requires fair puzzle solving for completion. https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2921421266 Attached screenshot displays a typical GridNode. Sabotaging the terminal located at top the node while eluding installed security measures offers worthy in-game rewards.

Dash:
There exists 22 unique parkour-based time trial challenges. Players will be placed in a competitive skill group based on their performance under every Dash. Skill groups in an ascending order are classified under 5 subdivisions of Plastic, Glass, Silver, Black & Red each.

Every content in this game has a quick replay feature hence, making Mirror's Edge Catalyst a highly replayable product.

Combat:
It is a blend between parkour & martial arts that allows for divergent takedown effects. Combat feels exceptional as long as there's momentum but when there's not, it becomes clunky & awkward. https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2921422133 Enemies will shoot as good as stormtroopers & often overreact on slightest of nudges.

Audio
SFX:
Cues of footsteps or actions such as running, climbing, landing or gasps of panic when falling augments the fluidity of gameplay experience.

Music:
OST produced by Solar Fields is a perfect fit for this setting featuring a range of electronic genres that carefully captures the emotion of its surroundings.

Theme song: CHVRCHES - Warning Call showcases a beautiful synthpop.

Verdict
In a world of Glass, few surfaces may have been left unpolished but on a complete scale the presentation is nothing less than professional & extraordinary.

Score:
95/100
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4 Comments
Marmik Emp37 21 Feb, 2023 @ 7:37am 
Not enough mirrors too many edges 7/10 now.
Asura1580 21 Feb, 2023 @ 7:27am 
95/100? Must be an IGN intern. Too much running.
Mirrors edge 2d cooler.
Marmik Emp37 21 Feb, 2023 @ 7:11am 
Thank you :D
Wallen 21 Feb, 2023 @ 6:50am 
Very detailed 😯