Mirror’s Edge

Mirror’s Edge – Living life on the edge

In the future, it seems that good old Royal Mail is not to be trusted with the delivery of sensitive material and has been replaced by the services of runners who until recently have been giving the government the slip.

Under new directives, the state is clamping down on the illegal services these runners provide and using all force necessary to stop the sensitive materials being delivered. In short, you are public enemy number one and only armed with your speed and reflexes, you must survive each mission to ensure the package is delivered safely.

The appearance is pretty impressive, much like the larger console version. Although it’s only visible as a platform game on the iPhone/iPod, the looks are slick and very impressive. Controls mirror the appearance neatly; tapping the screen stops your character from running, swiping left or right starts her running in that direction, swiping up causes her to jump over objects (or climb) and swiping down causes her to slide under objects. When free running you can leap off tall buildings (pressing up at the right point) and it’s important to swipe downwards to roll (otherwise you’ll be injured and lose momentum, and with it precious time – becoming an easy target).

This game tests your responses as well as logic. Keeping a keen lookout for objects which you can use to your advantage can make all the difference when trying to keep ahead of the state agents. Running along signs, jumping from platform to platform, avoiding the gunfire and kicking the occasional agent’s ass along the way is something which will keep you firmly on your toes.

The game excels nicely on all expectations and the thumping music and onslaught given by the graphics and demands of each level will keep you transfixed to the screen. The game would have benefited from appearing as a first or third person viewed game but not taking anything from it, this is a success and just as groundbreaking on this platform as it was when it was launched on the console!

If you prefer being able to return fire at those firing at you then this may not be the game for you as you are pretty much cannon fodder, particularly on the harder settings and advanced levels. But if you like to use your head a bit more, then look no further, your game has come!

Rating 84%

Positives

Entertaining and fast paced action

Good graphics

Good controls (even use the movement sensors to keep your balance)

Negatives

Frustrating at times

Tougher settings are for the suicidal at heart

A little repetitive