Mirror’s edge catalyst is an open world game set in a futuristic city ruled by a conglomerate. The game features a basic parkour system that is used to transverse the roof-tops of the city. Occasionally you will engage in combat against the conglomerate’s security forces, which is done by using a kick-based move-set. There is very little that stands out in Mirror’s edge catalyst, and the game feels incredible generic. It is functional, and can serve as a something to do with your time, but there is very little else to get out of the game. The narrative and world does tell a story, however it is quite generic and forgettable most of the time.
I have a very difficult time finding genuine positive aspects of the game that stands out; however I also have a very difficult time finding large negative aspects of the game. The narrative is functional, but generic. The combat is functional, but somewhat shallow. The movement is functional, but lacks complexity. The presentation is functional for the most part, but nothing stands out.
Mirror’s edge catalysts has a lot of smaller issues. The game is capped at 60 fps, which is an issue when the game is all about running and speed. The game is really bad at using lighting: the game uses flash to white screens as transitions, the game is generally speaking VERY bright, the use of colours can be really intense due to the lighting, and somehow the game manages to be pitch black at locations. It is impossible to set the game at a gamma setting where you can both see and not be in physical pain due to the constant barrage of light.
I can only recommend Mirror’s Edge Catalyst to those that want to turn their brain off completely and are not bothered by bright lights. I have not played the previous games in the series, and I might miss context in the narrative that might elevate the story compared to my own experience.
| Playtime | 8 hours for the main story, but without finishing a lot of the side quests and side content |
| Game release date | 22 April 2016 |
| Review release date | 28 July 2024 |
| Light sensitivity | Major issues with flash to white screens, bad low / high gamma settings, bad colour usage |
| Sound sensitivity | No issues |
| Motion sickness | No issues |
| Steam-link | Metacritic-link (69 score) |