Making the statement that you can get through the entire game without a combat encounter untrue.
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Mirror's Edge Catalyst - Review Thread
- Thread starter orthodoxy1095
- Start date
Making the statement that you can get through the entire game without a combat encounter untrue.
exmachina64
Banned
I was blown away by the PhysX support at the time. The two things that bugged me the most were the textures when you would get close to an object during parkour and the lack of reflections on the buildings' glass.
You're free to remember the game as you want, but I'm stating what I remember also. I won't disagree with you that it's one of the only 3D platformers with depth.
No way man. It was true, in theory, in as far as killing enemies wasn't required to unlock progress, but you try running past all those armed guards towards the end of the game without getting shot to shit? No chance.
Alpha Phoenix
Member
Their loss. In spite of the mediocre scores, it was still one of the best games last gen, IMHO.
The first one had no characters or storyline. You can unlock all of the movement upgrades in just over an hour. I'm not excusing these as positives, simply saying that it's a negligible difference. The first game shined in time trials and learning the intricacies of the movement and finding new paths. From my time with the sequel that will remain true. Everyone that was hoping for a markedly different game will be disappointed, but I for one have loved what I played so far.
I don't like the common thread in many of these reviews the open world hurts the game. I liked ME despite its flaws and would like to support this title but I never saw idea of making it more open world as a good one given the core mechanics and the need to very specific routes to make it shine.
Still, overall tone is fairly positive and seems the core games "in their" if a little hindered but some choices that seem driven by "checklist" mentality of development.
Still, overall tone is fairly positive and seems the core games "in their" if a little hindered but some choices that seem driven by "checklist" mentality of development.
FantasticMrFoxdie
Mumber
yikes
I enjoyed the beta atleast but I can see how making it open world is a problem.
I enjoyed the beta atleast but I can see how making it open world is a problem.
Alpha Phoenix
Member
Well said. EA has gone on record saying Catalyst is to remain true to the original's spirit. I would say they've achieved just that, going by the reviews thus far.
Possumowner
Member
Hmm little unsure of this one.I do love Mirrors Edge though,so I'm guessing I'll enjoy this one
J_ToSaveTheDay
Member
Been looking forward to this since it was announced but always kind of doubted in the back of my mind that they'd actually make a Mirror's Edge game that completely addressed the criticisms of the first. It is a bit disheartening to hear that the problems present in the new one are very similar to the problems of the first. The mixed reactions to the open world is kind of interesting, and despite all the reviews and even video content that has become available for this game pretty much in its final state, I still get the feeling I'll have to play it myself to figure out how I would feel about it. If it's like the original, then ultimately I'll be quite fine with it -- I enjoyed the first one quite a lot despite its flaws. After years of sort of being a maybe-it'll-happen, then finally becoming announced, and then plenty of develop sweet talk about how they heard criticism, it sure would've been nice to see them kind of nail it with the reviews, but, the first game was received in a fairly consistent fashion and this one appears to have most of its problems received fairly consistently, with only the open world aspect kind of being a point of contention. With that said, the uniformity of criticism is somewhat comforting, as it sounds like this still just works as a game for Mirror's Edge fans -- even if it's not exactly the game Mirror's Edge fans imagined would eventually be made.
Had this on pre-order at Amazon for the longest time and then cancelled a couple months back as I started to get cold feet... Think I'll just go ahead and grab it anyway.
Had this on pre-order at Amazon for the longest time and then cancelled a couple months back as I started to get cold feet... Think I'll just go ahead and grab it anyway.
Admiral Snackbar
Member
Definitely enjoying my time with it. Reviews are all pretty accurate but I'm having a great time in here.
I love the transitions between areas of the city. Running through
was a real treat, seeing what life looks like for them when you're a dirty roofrat.
Anyway, I like it. It's got flaws and they're very real ones, but I don't regret getting it at all.
I love the transitions between areas of the city. Running through
the empty sections of the city where the regular people hang out, like cafes or shops
Anyway, I like it. It's got flaws and they're very real ones, but I don't regret getting it at all.
PapaEmeritus
Member
scores seem inline with my expectation between 70 and 80's. I'll check it out in 1 or 2 months when it's 10$ from Gamefly. Too much on my plate right now, but anyone excited for it, hope you enjoy it.
Oh that's in the game?! I'm sold now. That was one of my worries with the game. I knew it was open world, but I didn't want to be just a bigger area of the beta. Awesome!
But what if its 1st game 93, 2nd game 85?
Admiral Snackbar
Member
There aren't any
people
Most reviews seem to affirm my fears of the game being open world. Glad to see praise for the platforming still being strong, that's what I'll pick the game up to have fun with. If that's all I'll get from it I still think I'll have a good time.
Edit: What makes me most suspicious is some comments about more terribly bad and forced combat sessions. Those ground the first game to an absolute halt at a couple of points and if they're making a return I just don't understand how Dice can make that mistake again. It sounds mind boggling. Will have to see it for myself.
Edit: What makes me most suspicious is some comments about more terribly bad and forced combat sessions. Those ground the first game to an absolute halt at a couple of points and if they're making a return I just don't understand how Dice can make that mistake again. It sounds mind boggling. Will have to see it for myself.
Dreams-Visions
Member
All I want to know at this point is whether or not the OST is worth picking up.
SumptuousLemur
Banned
Seems like it is reviewing just like the first?
Lame combat that is forced at times but amazing movement gameplay that makes up for it.
Lame combat that is forced at times but amazing movement gameplay that makes up for it.
Admiral Snackbar
Member
I like it a lot and the CHVRCHES song is surprisingly decent.
They seem to have believed the problem with the combat revolved around the guns, and not the combat encounters themselves.
Personally, I think the combat is fun, but it's not what people who just want to run want.
Dreams-Visions
Member
Excellent.
TheSpecialOne
Banned
I'm honestly surprised that it's reviewing so well. From my time with the beta, I was certain that this game was going to be around 5-6/10 on metacritic. I certainly didn't expect to see a 7.1/10? Congratulations, i guess they overachieved.
Visualante2
Member
Savagely disappointing. Hopefully this will be bundled with some of the new graphics cards as my PC can't run it anyway.
Definitely waiting for a sale if not. Feel like this game could be great with no runner vision, HUD, progression system and ignoring the boring characters.
Definitely waiting for a sale if not. Feel like this game could be great with no runner vision, HUD, progression system and ignoring the boring characters.
AmaterasuOni
Banned
I figured it would get this treatment. The first one was the same. And the first ME is one my favorite games ever, so whatever.
Not going to cancel my pre-order.
Not going to cancel my pre-order.
nekkid
It doesn't matter who we are, what matters is our plan.
There was an achievement for it. I have it. And I didn't play on easy, either.
Plus taking into account review deflation (I'm seriously convinced this is a thing
) and it's scoring all over the board like the original
RedAssedApe
Banned
How many hours is this?
The achievement is for not shooting anybody, you're free to engage them with melee or disarming them to get it
These reviews sound along the lines of what I expected after playing the beta. This just doesn't seem to be the Mirror's Edge sequel I was hoping for. Still I think the essence is in there, buried under some stuff, and I will still get plenty of fun from that. I look forward to digging into it tomorrow.
Review scores have dropped a lot since the first Mirror's Edge was released. In 2008 it was pretty normal for most games to be 80+.
IRC Cliffy B has tweeted that publishers have noticed a 7 point drop in the average score since Gears 2 was launched, so they had to adjust expectations for that.
I'm pretty sure I kicked one guy off a building too and got the achievement.
Admiral Snackbar
Member
The main story is alarmingly short. But there are many side missions/characters to get work from.
If you just book it through the main story, I think I hear 6 hours as the quoted number. Granted, I've had it since Friday and put around twice that into the game so far.
Fine Ham Abounds
Member
Woof, not liking most of the main points I'm reading. Oh well, it's already otw from Gamefly, so I'll give it a once-over. Doesn't sound like that should take too long
wild wild rice
Member
Just seems like confirmation that the IP will never live up to it's full potential. Honestly I would have liked to see a Mario 3D Land/World type structure with tons of courses overflowing with ideas and gameplay scenarios. Open world, story and social stuff just seems like a drag on what makes ME so potentially interesting.
EYEL1NER
Member
All of the debate about skipping combat in the first game: PensOwl is correct. Their was an achievement for not firing a gun for the entire game called Test of Faith. In Chaoter 8 you are required to fire a shot from a rifle to advance the game but that does not count against the achievement. There is no reward for avoiding combat the entire game and tbh I do not even think that it is possible to completely avoid combat throughout the entire game, since there are sections of staircase or walkways with enemies standing at the end that you disarm and continue past.
Reviews for this game are across the board it seems. The negatives disappoint me a bit but they won't dissuade me from getting the game. Seems like the gist is that "it is a good game hampered by Ubi-style open world shenanigans." I didn't hate the open-world of the beta but I also didn't think that an open-world added anything to the game. Eh, still can't wait to play it.
Reviews for this game are across the board it seems. The negatives disappoint me a bit but they won't dissuade me from getting the game. Seems like the gist is that "it is a good game hampered by Ubi-style open world shenanigans." I didn't hate the open-world of the beta but I also didn't think that an open-world added anything to the game. Eh, still can't wait to play it.
toddhunter
Member
Except they don't. EA are trying to make unique games which are also AAA, appeal to everybody and do well on metacritic.
This, mass effect 3, dead space 3, dragon age inquisition... All games they messed up trying to make them bigger than they really are.
I agree it is still better than what Ubisoft does, but the bar is pretty darn low.
You're right. They're the anti-FromSoftware.
Rather than just hone in on what they do well - and they DO do things VERY well in some cases - they try and "broaden the appeal" but they do so always by diluting what makes their games special and unique and cramming in generic features they think every game needs to have.
It keeps backfiring, but they keep trying to do it.
Hmm, this is the most worrying thing I've heard so far.
Hopefully there's some sidecontent worth a damn. I don't generally go in for that kinda stuff in open world games, but if mainlining the game only takes 6 hours, there's hopefully some good work put into that stuff.