EA CEO Thinks Mirror's Edge "Deserves to Come Back"

[DoctorDisaster]

[Riccitiello:] "Or [you could say]: This was never about guns. It was about its stark originality. Maybe we can back away from some of those [older] things... and emphasize the smooth play and puzzles and move it toward, if you will, a Portal."

Industry-requisite "totally original, just like this other game" moment aside, it's refreshing to hear that they're considering that option. I just downloaded Mirror's Edge during the $5 Steam sale, and while the freerunning is fantastic, the combat is a source of limitless keyboard-bashing frustration. (Especially when they introduce the ninja assassin opponents, and it becomes brutally apparent that the combat system was never designed to handle unarmed enemies.)

It makes story sense that the character sucks in any combat beyond a quick surprise takedown, so gameplay should center on the stronger escape and evasion mechanics. Instead, the frequency of combat bottlenecks gave me the impression that the level designers had some sort of amnesiac fit and thought they were working on a Half-life episode.

It's actually a bit heartening to hear a subtle suggestion that the heavy combat was shoehorned in because execs wanted to go with what worked in other games. If the designers warned that everyone would hate that, and then reviews and sales backed them up in such a big way that the CEO took notice, the sequel might just be the game the original should have been.

 

[Wandrecanada]

I absolutely agree that we need to move away from the gunplay and more towards the freerunning. I think that there needs to be a human presence in the police/security forces to keep that instilled sense of jeopardy but make the game one of avoiding shooting matches in favor of finding innovative ways past them.

I will never forget the feeling of fear I experienced during the escape from the Icarus training facility. I could hear footfalls running behind me but I didn't dare look back for risk of being caught. It was probably one of the most intense videogame experiences I've ever had. Interestingly enough when I played through the game a few more times I did finally turn to see who was chasing me and found that neither pursuer held a gun at all. As it turns out they didn't need one to take me down...

 

[Slayer_2]

I disagree: the gunplay was awesome, in my opinion. Even if the enemies are amazingly terrible shots (even on the Hard difficulty). There are only two things I want improved: various bugs and the horrible glitch where Faith ignores a pipe/ledge when you jump for it (usually causing you to die), and the ending... seriously, the only good thing I can say about the ending was the music, which should have been in-game, instead of just the intro/ending.

However, an option to remove non-critical enemies from the game could please both parties.

 

[DoctorDisaster]

However, an option to remove non-critical enemies from the game could please both parties.

No. All enemies should be non-critical. You should never be forced to engage except for possible story-relevant situations.

 

[Scrythe]

Maybe some motivation for Faith other than "dystopia is bad". Just a thought.

Get rid of the godawful cartoon cut scenes and they'd be halfway there.

I enjoyed the beginning of Mirror's Edge. I just didn't like getting stuck climbing things slowly, and getting stuck in cover as I waited to shoot people later on. A sequel that focuses on the rooftop running of the game's opening is something I would definitely buy.

This basically sums up my entire opinion on the subject. A wonderful change would be to add more parkour moves or improve the button layout. I liked the shoulder button control scheme, but there were so many unused buttons (especially if, like me, you never actually use guns).

One way to improve this would be the addition of stealth disarms from behind. The first game told you about it during the tutorial, but it never worked afterwards. Walking up behind an enemy didn't even light up thier guns.

There was only one instance I can think of that you could do this, and that was the part where you sneak into the boat by hiding inside a truck. The first guy you see, you can stealth disarm.

But I agree, I would like to see more of those.

 

[Escapefromwhatever]

I said it with the first Mirror's Edge and I'll say it about the sequel: This game needs a level editor. One of the major complaints about Mirror's Edge is that some saw it as having little to no replayability. However, if you give people the tools to make awesome 3D parkour levels and then share them online LittleBigPlanet style, that problem is solved (at least partially). Also, why not add a race mode for multiplayer, a la the Genesis Sonic the Hedgehog titles?

 

[Slayer_2]

No. All enemies should be non-critical. You should never be forced to engage except for possible story-relevant situations.

Uhhh, what did you think I meant by non-critical? Critical is referring the story here.

The easiest solution for EA is to release an SDK.

 

[Catchy Slogan]

I've been hoping they'd do a sequel, I quite enjoyed the fisrt one, even if most of the combat involved running away... But still, enjoyable non the less, stunning visuals, Hope to see this and more in the sequel. Maybe they can have faith join some sort of underground rebellion against such a PC state?

 

[joshthor]

yes! im happy about that. mirrors edge is my second favorite game behind mass effect (ea is great for me ) it was just great. im excited about a second one.

 

[Little Duck]

I quite liked mirrors edge. I prefered it alot to Oblivion, which whilst techno wise was a good game, all else wise was much to be desired for me.

Mirror's edge was fun and exciting and any sequel would be welcome by me.

 

[DoctorDisaster]

No. All enemies should be non-critical. You should never be forced to engage except for possible story-relevant situations.

Uhhh, what did you think I meant by non-critical? Critical is referring the story here.

My mistake, then. I equated "critical" to the glowing red guys you couldn't bypass.

Initially, I was delighted when the tutorial told me to look for ways to avoid combat -- "Enemies you will have to fight will glow red." Then about three levels in, I realized that every f*king guard in the game was going to glow red.

 

[True Nero]

i would love to see this game come back. what caught me wasn't the story really, but the innovation in the game. even the characters didn't endear to me that much. in all honesty if they created a completely different storyline, dropping all the main characters for another story that very loosely tied into project Icarus, still keeping the same gameplay, i would be happy as a clam

 

[bakonslayer]

This game was very well done and EA is wise in assuming it should have done MUCH better than it did. With another release, I think they will actually end up selling more of the first Mirror's Edge as well as selling the new one. Hopefully their advertising and marketing pans out the way they want it to.

 

[NoriYuki Sato]

i would acually have to agree with a couple of reviews i've seen, Yahtzee being the only one on this website, that said, take out the gunplay, or at least stop focusing on it. decide what you want to do with the gunplay in this kind of game.

now in my opinion, sure, a gun here and there wouldn't hurt, but come on, we have to use it while we're doing what we do best in that game..running. look back and fire a few rounds, or break the glass in front of you, peg the dude in front of you who has a gun in the leg, just don't focus on shooting people in ME2. ((unless your on HARD of course..cuz then they help a LOT))

that being said, i would LOVE to see Mirror's Edge 2 sometime soon. i was obsessed with that game for the longest time.

 

[MR T3D]

if the actually have cinematics that look deceent as opposed to the filth in hte first game,
i would consider it.

 

[Lamppenkeyboard]

The first game was really good for a rent. But I think they could seriously improve the game with a sequel, since players made it very clear what they hated.

 

[LorChan]

Level design was flawed, story was aweful, fix that and we'd have the closest I'm ever getting to hardcore free-running.
Also, a freaking awesome game.
I loved Mirror's Edge, but DAMN THERE WERE TOO MANY POLICE.

 

[Tony Harrison]

I really liked Mirror'Edge, it's a beautiful game. Hopefully any sequel would remove the fighting. Have more variation in the levels too to keep up momentum. Set up alternatives to the harder jumps so you can take on the challenge if you want a quicker time but you don't have to be stuck.

 

[SomeUnregPunk]

I wish this game will just be a courier service type of game.
Like a prequel to the story in mirror's edge. Maybe one or two missions where your running against another courier of a different service. Less gunplay and more Parkour... sort of like what you see in movies like District 13 or http://raremovs.blogspot.com/2008/06/extreme-free-running-in-london.html

 

[PhantomCritic]

Wow, EA actually do care about what they put in their games...

If they improve on the overall controls and levels, I'd happily buy it.