How would you have improved Mirror's Edge?

[Bob_F_It]

You know those fancy disarms Faith does in the loading screens? Those, because otherwise there's only one attack that doesn't involve a slugfest or shootout. And then don't slow things down so much when guns are used; shoot while running with light weapons (with terrible accuracy for balance), cap running speed with heavier ones but not to a stroll.

To be frank, it was only the combat that worked against it. Make it work with the game and it will be better.

 

[Drummie666]

Remove guns, make an intuitive, fast paced CQB system (if not remove combat all together).
More emphasis on running on open rooftops (Instead of enclosed, linear spaces).
Free-roaming.
A system so you know where to go so you won't accidentally fall down a pit every 5 feet, Such a red line on screen, showing you where to go.

That's what I'd try anyway.

 

[gring]

Honestly, I still to this day have no idea why Mirrors Edge was considered such the "flawed game" everyone said it was. I didn't play it until it was super cheap on a steam sale because of it, and I was actually surprised at how good it actually was.

But then again, I played it on a PC which gives better control of both you and the camera, and I also didn't figure out how to take peoples guns until the very end which gave me a very satisfying experience.

I really just think people that complain about it are used to their hands being held in every way and cant handle when a game actually places some responsibility onto the gamer. Why do I think that? Because every idea to make it "better" involves more hand-holding in some way that just isn't necessary and would actually make the game more shallow. But hey, that seems to be the trend for making games these days, and I'm sure is exactly what they are trying to do for the next game because spoon feeding "experiences" to people so they don't have to actually put any effort is the new industry standard.

 

[similar.squirrel]

The flow that you speak of comes after going through the levels a few times. If you play the time trial courses, after a while you get the damn things into muscle memory. That's when you truly get the free running "feeling". I wouldn't have changed anything. Mirrors Edge was perfect.

That's a very good point, actually. In that sense, the game is very much akin to your average racing title, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I think the story could have been dispensed with to a large degree, and replaced with multiplayer and time trials. Perhaps released as episodic DLC or something. An unorthodox approach, and a risky one, but the final product could have been a bit more polished as a result.

You know those fancy disarms Faith does in the loading screens? Those, because otherwise there's only one attack that doesn't involve a slugfest or shootout. And then don't slow things down so much when guns are used; shoot while running with light weapons (with terrible accuracy for balance), cap running speed with heavier ones but not to a stroll.

To be frank, it was only the combat that worked against it. Make it work with the game and it will be better.

This is something that also occurred to me. I think the game could have used a bit more time in development, because there seem to be a lot of ideas in there that weren't utilised to their fullest extent. I think the original intention was for Faith to carry a sidearm, but they scrapped the idea because guns are too heavy in real life or something. The pistols used by the PK Runners seemed reasonably lightweight, though.

One thing I might do is replace the joystick for running with a single button. The speedrunners of the game like me avoided strafing at all costs, and it helped the feel of momentum when you ignore all other directions of movement.

Again, something that has crossed my mind. But setting it as an alternate controller layout would have been a better idea, because strafing is kind of necessary unless you're unnaturally good.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

Make it so, if done right, you NEVER have to fight in the game. I enjoyed running from the guards and losing them. Being chased by those runner cops near the end was the best part. However, when I was forced to fight, it was like hitting a brick wall. It broke the flow for me, and that's something that I think should be a consequence of screwing up. Not because the game thinks it's time for a fight.
Also, I didn't care for some of the more cramped spaces in the game. I liked the rooftop running, but it's perfectly fine if they leave the cramped stuff in. After all, I can't really see how they could make a whole game if you're simply running on roofs.

 

[TheIronRuler]

I think that there should be a free roam map.
A free for all map of the rooftops, and you'd have a few 'normal' delivery missions before the actual plot so that you'll familiarize yourself with your surroundings. That way you won't have a mini-map, you'll simply remember where you can find ledges and things to hang on to.

 

[EternalFacepalm]

I got through ME without firing a single gunshot (I was bored, and so my journey began towards another pointless achievement). The issues with the combat were that it just didn't feel natural.
A free-running game shouldn't have guns. EVER.
The ninjas? Hell yes!

Although, besides from the combat, my biggest problem was the bloom. So. Much. Bloom. It was directly dangerous to my eyes, I believe. AUGH.

 

[similar.squirrel]

I think that there should be a free roam map.
A free for all map of the rooftops, and you'd have a few 'normal' delivery missions before the actual plot so that you'll familiarize yourself with your surroundings. That way you won't have a mini-map, you'll simply remember where you can find ledges and things to hang on to.

Another neat idea. The missions proper could channel you into certain routes by means of sniper fire or environmental events. You know, learn the map like the back of your hand and be forced to think on the fly as a helicopter crashes into what was a hitherto navigable tower..

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

More platforming, less combat. Or at least make the platforming a part of combat.

Yeah this. That would take care of a lot of my issues with that game, and make it longer.

 

[Laser Priest]

Third person perspective, less horrid combat, not forcing combat during running sections, not claiming it's free roam when it is actually just different linear paths to one common destination, stop reflecting light so much that I can actually see things, making the characters actually have a bit of character to them, and making the story less of a ball of cliche shit.

Really, I think the music was the only part of the game that I even slightly enjoyed. Everything else took a good idea and threw it off a building.

Which reminds me, less platforming claiming to be parkour.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

I really loved the first person perspective. It never made me sick or disoriented, so I would definitely keep that.

As others have said, take out the guns completely and have fewer indoor areas and forced combat sections. The game really shone when you were running on rooftops, doing what you were meant to do in a parkour game.

 

[Yostbeef]

I would get rid of the geico cartoon cut scenes and present everything with the in game engine.

 

[gigastrike]

I'm thinking that the only correction that I could make without adding months on to the development time would be to give it a story that didn't suck.

 

[cgentero]

Stealth Elements and a Level Editor.

 

[Serving UpSmiles]

They should have made Faith a more "stun, dont kill" character, seriously, the amount she breaks people's necks and kicks big musclely guards in the balls realy turns me off from her....

 

[TheIronRuler]

I think that there should be a free roam map.
A free for all map of the rooftops, and you'd have a few 'normal' delivery missions before the actual plot so that you'll familiarize yourself with your surroundings. That way you won't have a mini-map, you'll simply remember where you can find ledges and things to hang on to.

Another neat idea. The missions proper could channel you into certain routes by means of sniper fire or environmental events. You know, learn the map like the back of your hand and be forced to think on the fly as a helicopter crashes into what was a hitherto navigable tower..

Exactly what I had in mind.

 

[similar.squirrel]

Here's hoping that a sequel or spinoff actually happens. I mean, if Brink can pull off a multiplayer-only game with free-running and a vaguely similar setting, DICE should be able to no problem.

 

[AgentNein]

No. Guns. At. All.

Yeah, I'd have limited the combat to just disarming guards. And focused more on the free-running across rooftops rather than skulking about in tight buildings and whatnot.

Pretty much this. Kept the action fluid. The very first area was the best in the game.

 

[WhatHityou]

if there was a way to see behind you would be a good one somehow. A more responsive hit detection system, less linear levels.

It was fun for a bit though.

 

[Ryokai]

People keep saying "Less combat more parkour." NO. MORE COMBAT. Best damn part of the game, the seamless integration of combat and free running. Now if you could also put in more environment based combat, moves that combine the parkour with fighting...