Mirror's Edge

It has been said a couple of times in the back-rooms of Games Convention Leipzig, and its a definite truism that prolonged exposure to multiple videogames results in a temporary inability to distinguish the good from the bad. That said, there's no doubt in mind that new DiCE IP Mirror's Edge is looking good, my brief preview session with the game leaving me itching for more from the world of the athletic Faith.

Producer Manuel Llanes is clearly psyched by the new game, which represents quite a departure for DiCE, given their past work on the Battlefield series. This is unsurprising, as the studio are hell-bent on producing a new and unique kind of first-person experience. Playing as Faith, you'll be able to look down and see your character's body (no 'floating gun' here), our heroine only even using a gun from time-to-time.

Instead the main focus of Mirror's Edge's gameplay will be on chasing, melee combat, and occasional gunplay; all wrapped-up in a different kind of action game plot. There's no monsters or aliens here, Llanes is keen to point out. Instead, we're offered a huge, realistic city - reminiscent of Tokyo - across which the story will unfold. Faith is a messenger, a 'runner' if you prefer, working for those pushed to the margins of a society which has given up personal freedom in return for wealth and security.

With all electronic communications monitored by the glistening, sterile city's Big Brother-like overlords, Faith carries messages for those former citizen unwilling or unable to conform to the strict laws that now govern the metropolis. However, this game is only briefly about evading police to deliver messages, rather what ensues is a plot firmly in the 'action-thriller' category, Faith working to help her sister who became embroiled in a frame-plot. As she battles to free her sister, Faith herself will become a target for the regime; resulting in frenetic chases across multiple locales, taking in vast swathes of multi-layered city, and the subterranean caverns beneath.

So, this isn't a game about free-running per se (although the insipration here is obvious), nor is it about message delivery. Rather, DiCE are working to create a story-driven experience, which is carried along by breathtakingly fluid sequences of movement. This is Mirror's Edge at its most inspiring. Witness a combination of timing, momentum and speed carry you (as Faith) across the rooftops, either following your own instincts or using the red "runner vision" paths; which guide you along by presenting the world through Faith's nimble eyes.

Beyond just well timed jumps, grabs, and clambers, you'll also be able to power-slide at times, lifting your legs to clear high obstructions, as well as undertaking trickier wall runs and balance walks as needed. The game is all about this flow of movement, which will also see you occasionally having to duff-up a copper in melee combat; perhaps grabbing his gun to take out a few of his pals before dropping the weapon and continuing apace through the level. Just two buttons will fulfill most of the basic commands, then, DiCE aiming for an "easy to pick-up, hard to master" approach that will result in a unique experience.

Given the developer's realistic aims, it is also appropriate that all the player's skills will all be available from the outset, rather than unlocked over time. This, it is hoped, will result in a more natural feel, Llanes stating that his aim to produce "cool, realistic fiction". The minimal HUD should further aid this quest for immersion, too. The look of the game certainly goes a long way toward the developer's goal, offering us a clean, real-looking cityscape, complete with sluggish police and stylised motion-blur which not only looks great but also adds to the sense of pace that runs through the action in Mirror's Edge.

Beyond this, Llanes also tells us about how during instances of particularly intense running, the player can hit 'square' to enter a brief bullet time-style mode, this slows the player's perception of time passing, allowing minor-adjustments on leaps and the like; helping the player ensure they can grab a rung on that rooftop ladder after a large jump. Moving away from the beautifully lit outdoor areas, the producer also takes us through a massive in-door environment.

This is a giant storm drain, used as part of tsunami protection measures in the city. Apparently, its a real feature of central Tokyo, and DiCE were inspired by the prospect of Faith leaping through such a unique world. Timing is once again key as we're pursued by snipers through the pipes and chambers of this subterranean network, disarming policemen and using their guns for a few quick shots before continuing (your movement is severely limited if you try to carry a firearm).

Rising to the surface we're once again faced with the law, Llanes pulling-off a stunning slide-kick-dissarm move before leaping to freedom and leaving the whole room thoroughly impressed by the original and vivid potential on-show.

Mirror's Edge is due out in late 2008, and we're eager to learn more on this potentially quite special new action game. More on this as we can prise it from EA, then.