Xbox Living

Here’s a game that shows some promise.  Mirror’s Edge is a first-person adventure title from EA’s DICE studio — the studio behind the Battlefield series of games.

The game offers a huge freedom of movement through urban areas.  Think Assassin’s Creed, but less clumsy and in first-person.  The movement style is an exaggeration of parkour — a sport turned art from that involves quick, efficient movement through obstacle-ridden courses in rurual and urban areas.  Mirror’s Edge takes this to the next level as you run, swing and leap through a vast cityscape.

Mirror’s Edge offers free movement across a huge urban area.

The game itself takes place in a dystopian world, where the clean and sterile environment is upheld by a corrupt, totalitarian government.  Communication is heavily monitored, so rebels rely on runners to quickly transmit messages between groups. The story follows Faith, a runner raised on the city’s streets after her parents are killed during a protest, as she attempts to deliver messages, evade capture and free her sister from the government.

The game will use Unreal Engine 3, rather than DICE’s own Frostbite engine, which wasn’t ready in time for Mirror’s Edge.  A new lighting system, however, has been developed for the game.  There won’t be any type of HUD in the game — the game will be very cinematic in nature.  (Only a small crosshair will appear as an overlay, only there to prevent the feeling of motion sickness.)

Mirror’s Edge will be released on November 11 in North America and November 14 in the UK.  Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk are taking pre-orders.  Check out this trailer below:

Looks like it’ll be a refreshing change, at the very least.