IronStar: I've just beaten
Mirror's Edge. Now, I know probably no one is reading this but I have to share my feeling somewhere, right? Be advised possible spoilers ahead.
I'm honestly wondering what's all the fuss about that game? Yes, ok I get it's something we never saw before that, first person platforming but most of it is case of trial and error and how does the engine feel about you at the very moment. Wall running and wall jumping mechanic remained unsolvable to me until the very end despite I knew what I'm theoretically supposed to do. Where the hell am I supposed to go next part was quite difficult and needed some alt-tabbing just to see what hidden ledge did I miss this time.Fighting part was the worst part of it all, and it can't decide what my strategy should be. At first, suggestion is RUN! and than turns into you should beat an army. Barehanded. Story is missing some integral parts, and despite reading all the extra data like news in elevators and listened to news I still failed to find any sense. Government is evil? Ok, fine? What did they do? They broke the protest? Why were they protesting? Because PROTESTS! Now shut up and try that wall jump for 30th time! What are the runners delivering? Info and messages! Why? What for? WALL JUMP!!!! Is there anything beyond this? DOUBLE WALL JUMP! I get the feeling that quite considerable chunk of the game was thrown out the window during development due to, what I can only guess was deadline, leaving something that to me looks like unfinished mess. I think they missed an opportunity to reveal these by the means of unlockable info in hidden packages - XIII style.
So if someone can tell me what am I missing or give me an explanation of the story story I missed I'd be really grateful!
It's hard to answer everything, but to be short and not too spoily, let's say that in the future the Government controls ALL information, which is evil (right? right? ^_^), everything under the cover of protecting the democracy. So the runners are here to transport and deliver information some people would rather keep secret, whether it is messages between resistance members or even companies who would prefer the government not to put its nose in their business.
Anyway, the game never means to tell you everything. A large part is let to your imagination. If you were looking for a game where at the end you would know every little "why and who?", Mirror's edge will never be that game.
No, it is an action-oriented game. So the story is blurry at best and that's voluntary.
No the actual action part: yes, Mirror's edge can be a "trial and error" game during your first playthrough. It is also meant that way, even if in the menu I think you can enable the option to put the places where you're supposed to go in bright red when you come close.
That's normal, because next time you'll try to beat your time on the level.
Now the fighting: you are not, I repeat, you are NOT supposed to kill everybody. I know of one, maybe two mandatory fights, but that's all. The first time i played, I fought almost every NPC I met. The second time, I tried to avoid every fight and almost succeeded. That's an interesting challenge, I can assure you!
So maybe you should let pass some time and give Mirror's edge another try later? :)