Mirrors Edge Catalyst-Game Review

Our Rating : 6.9/10

PROS 

* Traversal is fun.

* AI forces you to vary combat.

* Story picks up after initial stumble.

CONS

* The city of Glass is lifeless. 

* Inconsistent visuals.

* Annoying characters

Mirror's Edge Catalyst a reboot of Mirrors Edge.The game is set in a pristine city, ruled by a ruthless Conglomerate. Faith, a skilled Runner reluctantly drawn into an anti-Conglomerate struggle.The anti-Conglomeratestruggle is lead by a group called the “Black November”.Through her journey, Faith explores every corner of the city, from the highest, most pristine skyscrapers, to the dark and dingy tunnels that underlie the city. Players must master the environment, using their momentum and timing their combat to fight the oppressiveness of the ruling elite, uncovering the dark secrets behind the city’s beautiful facade.

Mirror's Edge Catalyst's pace picks up quite well after stumbling at the opening. There's a prolonged cut-scene and some annoying banter along with some necessary tutorialisation that teaches you the basics. These include learning how to kick guards into railings, run across many a gap, and simply come to terms with the game world. Some of these early segments aren't clearly explained and you will probably fail them a couple of times before you realise what's needed of you, such as an early mission wherein you have to maintain your momentum while running and hitting foes in your way to a location to drop off a delivery.

But once that's over, things pick up quite a bit. The story barely drops a beat and there's always something going on. What's more is that you'll end up exploring most areas of Glass by the time you're done, which allays our early thoughts that runner vision - the game's navigation feature - would lead you on the straight and narrow, with little else. There's a steady stream of unlockable skills as you take on story missions such as being able to turn quickly (or quickturn as its called) or swing between gigantic chasms. Not only does it provide incentive to complete the game's narrative-based levels, but it also introduces you to several nuances as you play along.

The game has a basic combat system.You can dodge incoming strikes, move backwards to avoid getting hit, and use heavy and light attacks to even the odds. Furthermore, you can use your own momentum as well, what with the force of springboarding off a ledge to hit a security guard allowing you to do more damage. Despite a somewhat minimal set of options, it's interesting how varied combat can get thanks to AI that's responsive to every move. If you keep mashing the same buttons, you'll soon realise that your attacks are blocked or countered, and that you'll be greeted by a game over screen. If you want to get past most of Mirror's Edge: Catalyst's encounters, varying your approach is most helpful.

In my opinion the city of Glass itself is the biggest let down in the game. Of course it would be unfair to expect anything along the lines of The Witcher 3 or Grand Theft Auto V in terms of atmosphere, but it doesn't even come close to the multiple entries in the Assassin's Creed or Far Cry franchises. You'll sabotage surveillance, steal computer chips, and collect glowing orbs of intel known as gridleaks, but it feels devoid of life. This ensures the most fun you'll have is in the story missions rather than exploring Glass and the secrets it holds.

Mirror's Edge Catalyst isn't a perfect return of the 2008 cult classic as many expected.But, if you're just looking for a free-running romp through a city ruled by shady corporations backed up by slick controls and navigation, you wont be disappointed.