Mirror's Edge was Too Hard?

On 07/01/2013 at 11:20 PM by Casey Curran

You know how a while back I wrote that piece on how platformer fans don't throw tantrums like RPG fans despite having the same under representation? It wasn't meant to be completely serious, but then I see this and well, it's time for a platformer fan to rage. Mirror's Edge 2 is a game I want to be excited for, one that I want to capture what made the original so great while improving on it, yet from the initial trailer showing nothing but combat to the announcement that it's open world and the chance of its platforming becoming too much like Assassin's Creed and now this.

Now, I'm not saying the game's going to become an action game, that it won't have well designed levels, or anything like that. I'm waiting until I play the game to give my judgement. But this, this pissed me off and is now just depressing me. Like I said, the amount of realistic platformers is barren thin and though it's not for everyone, Mirror's Edge was pretty much the best example of the genre this gen.

Okay, first let's get the obvious out of the way with FemFreq. I hate this channel. I think Anita tries to get blood from a turnip from a good chunk of her examples, doesn't know how to stay professional when throwing in terms like "regressive crap" (which normally wouldn't bother me, but considering how dry her videos are to accomodate this professionalism...), and doesn't give anything thought provoking. Not to mention turning off comments for something that's meant to create discussion.

Anyways, that first comment she gave just shows how little she actually gives a shit about games. "Beautifully constructed world and story" is not something that would describe Mirror's Edge. The art direction was fantastic, but the world was nothing beyond a cleaner 1984 and the story was equally basic.

Her criticism of the controls misses the point of the controls. Using the shoulder buttons is not a complicated thing. It is simply a different thing. You know what pressing A and X would do to the game? Make it so you can't use the right analog stick? You know, something crucial to every 1st person game!

Fact of the matter is, this just shows how little she gives a shit about games. She's trying to force her own agenda of making them more progressive just because the game has a female lead and could be a good example. You know how this makes me feel? It makes me stop wanting to see female leads in games light on story so it doesn't get harrassed by shit like this. I would like games to be more progressive sure, but if given the choice between that and quality, I'll take quality every time.

It's getting harder to have faith in Faith.

But there's another point, one my bud TripOpt55 brought up and that's how plenty of other people complained about Mirror's Edge being difficult. This could have just been another nail in the coffin for Mirror's Edge 2 to be made easier as many did not enjoy its difficulty. It could have been a move where they both got a bigger audience and a "progressive" label.

This just makes me think of one thing: We need to criticize games better. "Too hard" is too vague a term for developers. It could just mean keeping the problems while just ending up in a lower death count. What about highlighting the path better or designing combat so it doesn't break the flow of running from rooftop to rooftop?

I don't want this to be like Mass Effect 2 where the Mako was cut, the RPG elements were cut bare bone, and the inventory was gone. I still loved ME2 for what it was, but that didn't replace how I missed all of that stuff. Personally, I was fine with Mirror's Edge's controls, its level design, everything that wasn't combat related. I'd be happy with more of the same. But I think we need to not just ask what a game's problems were, but why they were problems and how the game could have avoided them.

At least DICE is giving me that other sequel I've been begging for with Star Wars Battlefront 3. That won't be compromised, it's formula is already a perfect fit to make a shit ton of money and Star Wars the thing social justice workers would ignore. Right?

Also, last call of Ask Greenman questions. And for all my weeb readers, just want to show you what I'm playing now (can't say any more until the embargo's lifted)

Matt Snee Staff Writer

07/01/2013 at 11:32 PM

yeah I saw this posted on Twitter and it really makes me ill.

BrokenH

07/01/2013 at 11:54 PM

You're playing Shin Megami Tensei IV? I hate you,bastard. I'm so jealous. lol. But yeah,I think Mirrors Edge is akin to Dark Souls. Aka it was appealing because of its' challenge, as opposed to the absence of it.

I'm conflicted between platforming and fighting/gun play. Aka, I like all those elements about equally so I don't get as angry if say a new Tomb-Raider game has a bit more "Uncharted" thrown into it. I understand how purists may feel differently though. Aka, often times something important is lost in transition when a game takes on additional personality traits to define its' present identity.

Aboboisdaman

07/02/2013 at 12:04 AM

Mirror's Edge wasn't that difficult. It was frustrating at times, but with infinite continues and checkpoints out the ass, it was more about finding the right path and simply making it there. I hope they don't mess up the second one. They should just get rid of the combat and put a timer in there or something.

Joaquim Mira Media Manager

07/02/2013 at 01:06 AM

Too Hard? *sigh* A bit challenging here or there, but nothing to the point of "TOO HARD." Maybe some of the Time Trials, but I didn't even care about them, so I'm not one to say with absolute certainty.

Cary Woodham

07/02/2013 at 05:21 AM

I watched someone play Mirror's Edge once and it made me dizzy!

Chris Yarger Community Manager

07/02/2013 at 06:37 AM

Too hard? Ha..

my initial playthrough was weaponless and I did just fine. What a whiner... lol

07/02/2013 at 11:46 AM

I did the same thing too (no weapons used), and it made the game that much more enjoyable.

Ranger1

07/02/2013 at 10:13 AM

Maybe she's just not cut out to be a gamer? I've never played Mirror's Edge, it just never caught my fancy, but I can't imagine it could have been game-breakingly difficult. And that comment that "more women would play this if it weren't so difficult" comment makes me want to swat her upside the head with my kevlar chainsaw gloves after I've used them on a long day bucking up firewood.

Machocruz

07/02/2013 at 03:52 PM

Was going to type something along these lines. If a game with unlimited continues and generous checkpoints is still "too difficult," maybe the game, genre or hobby isn't for you. And the game isn't real hard. But it seems any game thats asks more from the player than a base level of competence or passivity is pegged as difficult. How far we've fallen...

smartcelt

07/02/2013 at 10:23 AM

I'm currently playing Mirror's Edge and I find it to be just right. The difficulty factor is what makes it unique and challenging. That's a real plus in my book. Visually stunning and colorful as well. I hope they don't screw with it too much on the next one.

Julian Titus Senior Editor

07/02/2013 at 11:53 AM

I don't mind admitting that I had a rough time going through the game since I went for a no kill playthrough. The game is fantastic, but once Faith loses her momentum things grind to a halt. I haven't played the game since the first couple weeks of release, but I remember some points where not being able to fire back really made things tough.

That said, I think the control scheme was perfect. All I want to see for a sequel is the ability to take down guys without slowing down. Imagine running towards a guy, jumping with a double knee, and then landing into a roll and a sprint.

But even if they change the game, this is a day one purchase for me. Same thing if they ever do Beyond Good & Evil 2 or Prince of Persia (2008) 2.

Nick DiMola Director

Her opinion seems pretty damaging to women. I know Chessa would certainly take issue with the sentiment that games should be made easier for women. Perhaps the women who aren't already into games aren't into them for other reasons. Things like, I don't know, societal norms, differing tastes, lack of exposure, or any other number of reasons. I really hate all of these "activists" that paint a group with such a wide brush.

07/02/2013 at 03:54 PM

I used to see girls all the time in the arcades back in the 80s, playing games that make today's games seem as difficult as Candyland. It's content, not difficulty, in my opinion.

TripOpt55

07/03/2013 at 03:02 AM

I don't even understand what she is trying to do. L1 did both jumping and climbing... and she wants to separate them to two different face buttons. Even if we ignore how what she is saying insults women... I'm not sure what she is talking about would achieve what she is looking for at all. Plus the nonsense she spewed about story you mentioned... blech. I still don't think DICE would make the face button change since that wouldn't even achieve a decrease in difficulty.

I think the first game wanted you to get into a flow, but obviously due to having to learn level layouts, that feeling wasn't given to first time players. It takes practice to get good at it, but that is one of the things I like about it. I guess a compromise would be something like making the main route easier to find/do but having the alternate/faster routes hard to find/do (but go too easy and the alternate path doesn't stay worth it, so there needs to still be a balance there). It's tough because most people don't replay games. But that is kind of what needed to happen to get the most out of Mirror's Edge.

So now making a broader sequel is kind of a scary proposition. Where do they make concessions. I think there are ones,people like me and you could live with and might make for a better game even, but it is a matter of whether they will go that route or another that kind of ends up diluting what made the first game special.

I certainly owe it to DICE to see what they do though. So I'm staying optimistic for now. It seems like it's pretty far off, so it is hard to take anything said now super serious anyway. This lady though... is lame.

NSonic79

07/08/2013 at 07:08 PM

I have to admit I was scared off when I heard about this game was "too hard" to control even back when the game was released brand new. Though it does make me curious to see exactly what this person is talking about. Perhaps when I get done with getting caught up and get bored watching alien documentaries I might check up on this, after getting caught up on some web videos I've missed out on.

PixlBit