Mirror's Edge Catalyst Reviews
Despite its flaws, Catalyst is a worthy concept of the game, and the improvement from the last one to this shows that it can mature into a quality game franchise, beyond its concept. The sense of scale and the way the world has been designed for travel makes for a fantastic experience.
Your enjoyment of Mirror's Edge: Catalyst will depend greatly on how willing you are to accept its flaws. The load times can be a pain to deal with, there's not much of an inclination to take on side-quests, and the combat doesn't seem to have improved much from the first game, despite the abandonment of firearms. At the same time, the idea of a platforming-heavy, first-person game remains intriguing, and your moves and the layout of the city make the running aspect one of the more legitimately enjoyable parts of the title. Though it may not appeal to all players, those looking for something a bit different will enjoy one more go-round in Faith's shoes.
Mirror's Edge Catalyst resolves the biggest issues of its forbearer and remains enjoyable thanks to strong core mechanics, and despite a weak narrative and uninteresting open world content.
I won't be going into spoiler territory but it's clear that the best thing Mirror's Edge Catalyst has going for it is the core gameplay mechanics. When they work (which in all fairness is the majority of the time) then the parkour style of movement is a ton of fun and makes you feel like a badass.
A radical city in a failed system
Forgetting about the repetitiveness and lifelessness of the environments for a moment, it's clear that there's strong art design behind it all, combining clean lines with bold colours to create a world that feels clinical, cool and futuristic
The gameplay is fast paced and fun if it weren't for the slow battle system. I can imagine the game eight years ago being a unique game that's so different from others, but this sequel is only a redo of the same ideas that adds no value even with the Open World element, but it will suit those who never tried the first game.
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As much passion as I had for the continuation of the Mirror's Edge franchise, it seems like DICE has effectively robbed all of the wind from my sails. Though the game is fine as a mediocre playable experience, many of the things that made the original so special have been neutered beyond repair.
We've been waiting a long time for another Mirror's Edge game, and we finally have it with Catalyst. While the storyline is quite predictable with dull characters, the gameplay is where it truly shines. The movement feels fluid, the time trials and social integration allows for replayability.
The first 'Mirror's Edge' was a surprising risk with interesting gameplay that developed a niche audience, and its follow-up tries, mostly successfully, to recapture that same effect. There are stumbles with its open world, combat, and narrative, but Faith's freerunning world persists. Chasing after every red zipline, railing, and air duct is still fun eight years on.
Overall, Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst is a fairly solid addition into what will surely be a large franchise for EA. With a beautiful world, interesting characters, and some truly memorable missions, Mirror’s Edge easily surpasses the original. That being said, be prepared for an unrefined combat system and nothing remarkable to do once the credits role. During Mirror’s Edge Catalyst’s sprint to glory, it thankfully only stumbles a few times alone the way.
Mirror's Edge Catalyst isn't a perfect return of the 2008 cult classic and that's okay. If you're looking for a free-running romp through a city ruled by shady corporations backed up by slick controls and navigation, you can't go wrong. As long as your expectations are in check in terms of its open-world what with many a game sporting one, you'll be fine.
For a game about running fast, Mirror's Edge Catalyst sure is slow
EA's sequel gets lost in its open world.
Those looking for a Mirror's Edge 2 would do well to ignore every scrap of side content and smash straight through the story. I know reading back that it seems as if I'm down on this game, but it's only because of the potential I know Mirror's Edge has. Deep down lies the very same core that made Mirror's Edge so fantastic. DICE might have done its best to hide a quality game, but it's still there beneath the piles of filler.
Is there space in the gaming world for a first-person platformer? Absolutely, but I feel like the design decisions behind Mirror's Edge Catalyst limit the number of people it will ultimately appeal to. If it is "for you," you'll probably love it. If you're not sure about the first-person viewpoint or limited navigational tools, though, I recommend giving it a rental or a try-out with a friend's copy. It's a good game, but I can't guarantee it's one you'll enjoy playing.
Faith has finally returned with Mirror's Edge Catalyst. Is it a return to form, especially when her "form" was never all that fleshed out to begin with? It's certainly a decent waste of time, worth visiting on and off through the months, but nothing spectacular.
For hardcore Mirror's Edge fans, Catalyst is a wonderful love letter from DICE that rewards the passion of this relatively small group.
The exhilarating rush of running along walls, leaping across rooftops and hanging to the ledges of buildings are perfectly captured in Mirror's Edge Catalyst. Just don't expect too much from its non-existent plot.
With a lot of different side missions and player challenge runs, Mirror's Edge Cataylst has some things going for it, even if it limps along on some points. This is one you will either like a lot or have a real dislike for. It lets us down in some fronts, and delivers in others but overall, Mirror's Edge Catalyst can be a fun ride, and may be worth your time but just be ready on what you get!