Mirrors Edge for iPad Game Review

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Mirrors Edge for iPad [rating: 4.5/5]

Stylish looking iPad game with the gameplay to match!

Over the last couple of years Mirrors Edge has been released over a couple of different platforms and while it has met critical acclaim it never seemed to make it into the heart of the gaming masses. Now it’s being released on the iPad to a new potential audience and if you haven’t tried it yet maybe now would be a good time. That being said while buying a 99 cent game is no risk even if you don’t like it paying the introductory rate of $12.99 for Mirrors Edge may make you think a little.

Mirrors Edge is based on the ‘sport’ of Free Running where participants run through cities jumping, sliding, vaulting over, under and through anything they can find. You take the role of Faith Connors who is fighting against a Big Brother government hell bent on there control methods to keep their “perfect society” perfect.

This is the basic of the single payer story mode. Running across the rooftops and through the buildings to outrun and defeat your pursuers as they try to gun you down. There are no guns for Faith however, her weapons are her agility and guile in evading those who aim to bring her down.

From the moment you launch the game you will be struck by the stunning HD visuals and unique style of the graphics from the stylistic white and red menu’s to the stunning city roof tops the game looks great.

That being said once you launch the game you don’t have long to study the beautiful scenery as you will be too busy launching Faith into her acrobatics.

All the controls are done via gestures on the large iPad screen. Swipe left or right to send Faith running in that direction, swipe up to make faith jump, down and Faith will slide or roll after landing a large fall.

There are also contextual gestures, swiping up while next to an advertising hoarding and Faith will run along it. These controls will need to come 2nd nature if you are going to make it through the 14 levels.

As you progress through the levels Faith will also need to put her skills to defeating numerous enemies using the same skills as she uses to navigate the environment.

14 levels is not a huge number especially for $13 however they are challenging and should keep you entertained for a a decent amount of time at least.

That being said the single player story mode is not the only option. In addition there is the Speed Run where you can race through any of the levels that you’ve unlocked through the Story Mode for the fastest time. After your first run through any of the 14 levels you will be up against your fastest previous time in the form of a ghost which not only adds to the challenge but also help you pick up tips on where you can improve your moves.

You should then be able upload you times to the online leader boards and also download the ghosts of other racers, however on the numerous attempts I tried to do this I was unable to view the leader boards let alone download a ghost racer. Hopefully this we be resolved in a future update.

We’re not over yet though as there is also a 2 player mode that is played on a single iPad. The screen is split in two and you and a friend can battle it out with all the same moves in Race Mode or Rival Mode.

With the addition of these two extra modes on top of the Story Mode, achievements in the form of badges and the option of hunting down the hidden badges the $13 price tag suddenly doesn’t seem so step after all.

If you are looking for an engrossing, great looking title that utilizes the iPad’s large screen and touch capabilities that will enable you to show off the future of mobile gaming then you need look no further than Mirros Edge from EA.

The Good

  • Great looking and stylish gameplay
  • Perfect control system for a free running game
  • 2 player mode on a single iPad

The Not So Good

  • Online leader boards and ghosts not working

Price: $12.99 (iTunes Store Preview)
Released: Apr 01, 2010
Reviewed Version: 1.0.0
Size: 110 MB
Language: English
Seller: Electronic Arts
© 2009 Electronic Arts Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Rated 9+ for the following:
Infrequent/Mild Cartoon or Fantasy Violence
Requirements: Compatible with iPad. Requires iPhone OS 3.2 or later.

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