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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Afro Samurai
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
In a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. In this seemingly utopian paradise, a crime has been committed, your sister has been framed and now you are being hunted. You are a runner called faith - and this innovative first-person action-adventure is your story. Flow is what keeps you running, what keeps you alive. Mirror's Edge delivers you straight into the shoes of this unique heroine as she traverses the vertigo-inducing cityscape, engaging in intense combat and fast paced chases. With a never before seen sense of movement and perspective, you will be drawn into Faith's world. A world that is visceral, immediate, and very dangerous. Live or die? Soar or plummet? One thing is certain: in this city you will learn how to run. [Electronic Arts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 95
Official Xbox Magazine
Aside from everything else Mirror’s Edge succeeds at, it also has some of the most arresting, original visuals we’ve seen on 360. Its starkly colorful graphics and slick anime cinematics are expressly designed to wire directly into your nerd-joy cortex — and they do. With such raw creativity and built-in speed-run appeal, Mirror’s Edge will transfix you for a long, long time.
 91
1UP
As a game steeped in immediacy, Mirror's Edge is an absolute must-play despite its idiosyncrasies. And as a pied piper for progressive design in first-person gaming, it's all the more important.
91
The Onion (A.V. Club)
The story and dialogue are clunky at times. And there are many situations where you'll be utterly perplexed as to where to go next. But overall, no game this year looks, or plays, quite like this one.
90
GamerNode
A unique and enjoyable game that is both exhilarating and addicting, with sound gameplay mechanics, stylish visuals, and superb audio qualities. Besides load times and timing, the biggest complaint is that the game has to end.
90
Xbox360Achievements
Unique, original, beautiful and innovative ... What else can you ask for?
90
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Despite basically repeating a lot of the moves seen in the modern Prince of Persia games, Mirror’s Edge’s distinctive, haunting atmosphere, immersive first-person perspective and completely intuitive controls make it truly outstanding.
90
3DJuegos
Mirror's Edge is a videogame that definitely deserves a try. Its short length is the only complaint we can mention about the campaign, because its an incredibly innovative title with a very powerful graphical side and an addictive gameplay proposal. A nice launch for this new saga that replaces the word 'brief' with the word 'intensity'.
90
VideoGamer
Combine a thoroughly entertaining single-player campaign with a stunning and challenging time trial mode and you'll soon forget that you managed to run through the story in six hours or less. There's depth here that you'll only discover hours into time trialling a single stage, and as we said, no other game released this year comes close to being as cool.
90
Meristation
We put on our trainers in order to start running through the skyscrapers of an enormous city. Mirror's Edge is a unique platforming game, very realistic, with a very special point of view in the genre. A huge experience, very different from what we have played previously, with incredible gameplay and great atmosphere. It's the beginning of a brand new series that can provide us with many satisfactions.
90
NZGamer
The story flows too, as Faith unravels her mystery. Between the chapters, which are all go, are artfully animated cut-scenes, which explain what’s going on.
90
Gamer 2.0
Simply put, you must play Mirror’s Edge.
90
Gamer.nl
Mirror's Edge is a unique experience. The controls work great and the visuals and music fit perfectly with the rest of the game. That such a unique concept contains a few flaws, like the short story mode and some frustrating gameplay moments, isn't a shame in the least. This experiment is a succes!
90
Gamer's Hell
On the whole, Mirror's Edge is the type of first-person experience we need more of, spotting the ever-growing landscape of shooters out there.
89
WonderwallWeb
Mirror’s Edge really is worth your time as it shows what else can be done with the otherwise overused FPS engine.
88
ActionTrip
More than anything else, we applaud the idea, effort and creativity behind this project. It's not quite as ground-breaking as, say, Valve's Portal, but it's almost as ambitious.
88
Talk Xbox
Mirror’s Edge has an excellent but short singleplayer campaign with a few added whistles.
88
GameZone
The game’s free-running mechanic is intuitive and feels natural, offering a nice change of pace from other titles in the genre. However, the game’s story mode feels a bit too linear and combat is underwhelming.
85
Kikizo
Mirror's Edge commits a fair few of videogaming's original sins - trial-and-error level design, a perfectionist attitude to the simplest of platforming mechanics - but buried beneath them is an intensely rewarding experience.
85
GameFocus
Even if the game is short and frustrating at times, we can’t go without saying that Mirror’s Edge needs to be experienced by every gamer. In a time where sequels and uninspiring titles are flooding the market, seeing this game hitting store shelves is refreshing. Now, we can’t wait where DICE will take the franchise as it has already been confirmed as a trilogy. Kudos!
85
IGN AU
It’s great to play a game that – in many ways – is so pure. It’s not about collecting. It’s not about leveling up. It’s not about getting a bigger and better gun. It’s about movement, style and momentum. Combat aside, DICE has taken a significant step forward for the first person perspective with this game, and you should all check it out.
85
MS Xbox World
Mirror's Edge has been a joy to play and I've fully appreciated what DICE have tried to achieve here, although not everyone will.
85
AtomicGamer
When it works, it’s brilliant. And when it doesn’t, it only disappoints because you can see its brimming potential trying to breakthrough.
85
PTGamers
Mirror's Edge is a distinct game, both in playability and visuals and that's a major feat. Faith is full of character and her world is colorful and vibrant, although the adventure is quite short.
85
Gameplanet
EA and DICE took a risk with Mirror's Edge, but ultimately it has paid off. This is an exciting title with a great premise, and despite a few minor issues we could be looking at a fantastic foundation for future sequels.
85
GamingExcellence
Overall Mirror’s Edge is a game that should be experienced by anyone who enjoys adventure games.
85
Armchair Empire
While the tacked-on combat portions bring a blemish to the game’s identity, and the overall length is a bit on the short side (although there are plenty of speed runs and time trials to encourage multiple playthroughs to master each area for the best online time), Mirror’s Edge is still a breathtaking adventure that has brought a new immersive experience to players along with the thrill of the hunt(ed).
83
Gaming Nexus
Mirror's Edge is a lot of things, but it's certainly not boring.
83
Electronic Gaming Monthly
The outstanding music and the tension of pursuit make this a first-person experience like few others. [Dec 2008, p.65]
83
IGN UK
More than just unique, it’s a thrilling and stylish venture to untapped territory that’s assured in its firstperson take on platforming. Though an inane plot and limp combat see it falter briefly, the strong visual design and dynamic mechanic ensure it still emerges as a game to be celebrated.
82
Cheat Code Central
A valiant effort to revolutionize gaming by a courageous studio. Largely, DICE pulled it off. But, there are several nagging spots that hamper the experience; repetitive environments and interactive elements, touchy controls and occasionally poor detection, and an uninspired story leave a significant amount to be desired. Even so, I found Mirror's Edge to be a truly unique and rewarding experience that I feel fortunate to have played.
82
Console Monster
If you are tempted by the style of gameplay and fancy yourself as a perfectionist when it comes to avid competition, be sure to make the jump as Mirror’s Edge is one of the more promising titles this autumn.
81
GamingTrend
Mirror's Edge is fairly unique, and I have to applaud DICE for trying something completely new. The fact that they managed to achieve the level of success presented here is amazing.
80
Cynamite
Impossible is nothing – After Dead Space EA surprises us with another highly innovative game. The developers have formed something that no one has seen to date.
80
Games Master UK
Old-style gaming in futuristic shoes: a thrilling experience that hides its flaws in style. [Christmas 2008, p.65]
80
games(TM)
Like "The Club" earlier in the year, Mirror’s Edge needs to be played again and again if you’re to discover its true worth, and there are many who won’t play ball. [Christmas 2008, p.88]
80
Game Over Online
First Dead Space and now Mirror’s Edge. Kudos to EA for continuing to diversify their portfolio with more original intellectual properties, and hats off to DICE for showing tremendous ambition in creating this Parkour-inspired action game.
80
DailyGame
Very stylistic, intense and creative, Mirror's Edge is missing the replayability to justify its $60 price tag, and it has a difficult learning curve that never quite levels out.
80
ZTGameDomain
The game length could easily be a deterrent for gamers not wanting to invest $60 for a mere five hours of game time, especially if they have no interest in participating in the time trial portion of the game, but I highly recommend everyone at least check out this inventive take on the genre.
80
Boomtown
It would be difficult for me to say Mirror's Edge reached its potential as a fresh take on the FPS genre because it's held back by a shallow story and dubious combat mechanics. However, you won't find another game like it.
80
Totally360
Mirror’s Edge seems to be yet another game marking EA’s gaming renaissance. Rather than churning out endless sequels, it’s encouraging to see that they’re willing to take a leap of faith (pardon the pun) and let ace developers such as DICE try out new IPs and ideas.
80
Gamervision
It’s fast, original, and beautiful – everything you should expect from a holiday blockbuster. If you’re easily frustrated by difficult games it might be wise to rent it first, but be warned; the beauty and addictive race modes might pull you in.
80
G4 TV
The animated sequences are less than stellar, the plot is trite, and the game feels like it was pared down at the last minute. Despite all those flaws, the running-based gameplay makes you want to forgive everything else. No other game is quite as exhilarating and uniquely exciting, and it’s this part of the game you’ll remember most.
80
X360 Magazine UK
There’s a lot to love in Mirror’s Edge, times when it reaches potential game of the year material, times when mind, body and control come together to create something almost euphoric on screen. But when that transcendence is shattered by a poorly designed combat section or a moment of utter confusion, it leaves a bitter taste. Kudos, then, for EA’s commitment to new IP, but it’s one that ironically, leaves us wanting a sequel.
80
Game Informer
Mirror’s Edge’s gameplay is adrenaline-filled and beautifully tailored, but the experience does end up feeling a bit hollow as the game runs out of new tricks to show the player. In the second half of the game, I started second guessing if I had already run across a particular section. I also became so in-tune with specific challenges that I could do them with my eyes closed...Regardless, this is one of those genre-defining games that everyone needs to see. DICE has pulled off a miraculous feat that hopefully will inspire other FPS developers.
80
GamePro
If the level design had focused more on open environments and giving you the freedom to run, and if the combat wasn't such a roadblock, this would have been a near-perfect game. But it's still a great first step and I can't wait to see how DICE improves upon the formula for the sequel.
80
Destructoid
The experience is not flawless by any means, with a story mode that stumbles over too many frustrating sequences and not enough narrative pay-off to make it worthwhile on its own. But taken as a whole -- with its frequent bits of brilliance and its delightful, heart-pounding moments -- Mirror’s Edge is a leap of faith worth taking.
80
Gameplayer
Digital Illusions has made revolutionary inroads on perspective and the relationship it shares with movement and combat, but simply couldn’t build the levels to allow it to unfold in a consistently engaging way. It deserves to be seen, played and experienced by any discerning gamer with an interest in the progression of the industry, but is unlikely to resonate with the majority of consumers.
80
Wired
Despite some regrettable drawbacks and frustrations, Mirror's Edge is a singular and incredibly compelling experience. If you're looking to try something that's genuinely new and not just a refinement or tweak of some existing genre or play mechanic, you really owe it to yourself to play this.
80
GameSpy
A bold experiment for DICE. It's a dramatic departure from the "Battlefield" games, and provides a refreshing experience to those willing to invest the time in its strict control mechanics. 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.
80
EuroGamer
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.
80
NTSC-uk
If Mirror’s Edge had only provided the TTs, it would have been perfect for skill-game addicts. The story mode isn’t quite as polished and critics have tended to focus on this mode’s foibles rather than on praising the real highlight: the TT mode.
78
Planet Xbox 360
Innovative, grossly original and lead by a high concept, Mirror’s Edge is the Jekyll and Hyde of video games. There’s a lot of promise inside the package that DICE created but it ultimately is a game that rests its laurels on its concept and nothing more. With no multiplayer aspect and a poor storyline that doesn’t last longer than seven or so hours, players won’t get a whole lot of bang out of their hard earned George Washington’s.
76
Team Xbox
I wish that Mirror’s Edge was more like a rock-climbing course (or like the climbing mechanic in "Assassin’s Creed") that gives you numerous ways to reach the spot you need to reach, though with the occasional stumper that gets you scratching your head to find the solution. Instead, I found myself frustrated by the do-it-again-until-you-get-it-right gameplay, which was more tedious than challenging—much like the platformers of the NES era. Those old classics were designed that way because of cartridge-memory limitations, but Mirror’s Edge can’t use that excuse.
75
GameShark
Mirror’s Edge is not the fully-fledged Parkour game that I was hoping for, and it stumbles over and over in its attempts to be a shooter. It can be needlessly frustrating and begrudgingly repetitive, but equally and truly awe-inspiring. If you can trudge through the story, the Time Trials provide one of the most intense and liberating platforming experiences to date, and ironically, it just might inspire you to turn off the TV and get outside.
75
Gaming Age
Mirror's Edge does a wonderful job of doing exactly what it sets out to do, and while it may not do it all perfectly, it does do enough well enough for you to forgive the game's flaws.
73
XboxAddict
My suggestion is to play the free demo and if you enjoy the small section you get to play and love time trials then definitely pick this up and take this leap of Faith.
73
IGN
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. Couple those gripes with some unappealing combat and a sometimes buggy design and Mirror’s Edge falls short of my expectations.
72
Gaming Target
Though the gameplay itself provides a fresh and entertaining experience, the overall game is too often bogged down by its own experimentation. A game you should certainly play but don't necessarily need to own immediately.
70
GameSpot
Mirror's Edge is many things: invigorating, infuriating, fulfilling, and confusing. It isn't for everybody, and it stumbles often for a game that holds velocity in such high esteem. But even with all its foibles and frustrations, it makes some impressive leaps; it just doesn't nail the landing.
70
GameDaily
Dodging bullets and narrowly escaping capture (as well as an addictive Time Trial mode) make Mirror's Edge worth playing if you have the patience to survive its concrete jungle. Yet Faith's limited punches and kicks result in tedious combat, linear routes make the city surprisingly small and accidental deaths force you to restart numerous times.
70
360 Gamer Magazine UK
As a first-person experience, it’s wonderful. As an engine, it’s well above par. Yet as a whole game, it runs a hell of a lot but doesn’t really go anywhere. A disappointment maybe, but a unique starting point for a franchise that only leaves us hopeful for what DICE can do with the next instalment.
70
Total Video Games
With only eight chapters Mirror's Edge is a particularly short game and the only thing that extends this is the trial-and-error gameplay. You're constantly left feeling as though Mirror's Edge needed something else to sustain it.
70
Official Xbox Magazine UK
Meanwhile the wafer-thin story is told through ugly, badly acted cartoons that spoil the carefully presented atmosphere.
70
Da Gameboyz
Mirror’s Edge for the Xbox 360 is an enjoyable game and has several heart pounding moments scattered throughout its’ nine levels.
70
DarkZero
It’s safe to say that despite its short (and irritating) story mode, repetitive gameplay and terrible indoor sections, Mirror’s Edge is a real kick up the collective arse for the first person genre.
70
Worth Playing
Mirror's Edge is a shining example of when a game concept idea doesn't live up to its idea. The movement controls are solid and the graphics top-notch, but everything else just doesn't work. The level design begins excellent and grows progressively worse. The combat is awkward and tedious, and even as the levels grow less fun, the game throws more and more combat at you, as if hoping to distract you. To top it off, the title is remarkably short and the plot deeply unsatisfying.
68
Gamers' Temple
Mirror's Edge can't quite bring all of its strengths together to produce an enjoyable game. It tries to take a big leap forward, but instead stumbles and falls.
60
Gamestyle
The perfect word that can really sum up Mirror’s Edge is unfortunately, disappointment.
60
Thunderbolt
But for every bit as brilliant Mirror’s Edge is, it’s also equally as frustrating. For every time you exclaim in joyful accomplishment by nailing a series of jumps and lifts, you’ll lament missing a ledge by the width of a fingernail for what feels like the hundredth time, just as much.
60
Giant Bomb
The highs in Mirror's Edge are undeniable, and Digital Illusions deserves credit for some of the bold choices it makes here, but the first-person perspective that helps make it so singular is also its biggest liability. Momentum is the biggest strength of Mirror's Edge, and it's unfortunate that it trips over itself so often.
60
GameCritics
In the end, Mirror’s Edge is a great set of core mechanics wrapped in a mediocre game. When everything is going smoothly, the experience can be exhilarating. Unfortunately, the flow is cut off too often by frustrating gameplay (e.g., dying 20 times in a row on the same jump).
50
Game Revolution
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