DICE has become quite prominent as a developer due to the Battlefield series which features console classics like Bad Company and Bad Company 2. However, Mirror’s Edge, released in 2008, has apparently also influenced a fair amount of people, especially given the implementation of free running (also known as parkour) elements and the antiseptic, sterile styling of certain maps in Brink. However, taken as a game, Mirror’s Edge is a disappointment and feels more like a proof-of-concept demonstration than a title ready for release (although in fairness, it still feels more polished, well-designed and complete than Brink).

Set in a dystopian future, Mirror’s Edge focuses on Faith, a runner who hand-carries information to evade government surveillance. After finding out that her sister has been framed for murder, Faith has to try to find out who set her up … and more importantly, why. And that’s pretty much the entirety of the story.

The rest of the game amounts to sequential button mashing to mantle, vault, climb, slide, jump and sprint around, over and under obstacles. It’s running along a wall to clear a gap between two ledges at different elevations. It’s sliding under ducts and using momentum to run up a wall and then rapidly spin around and catch a ledge to climb up to the next level. It’s leaping from pipe to catwalk to pipe. Occasionally, it involves avoiding being shot, but typically, it’s simply about motion.

Mirror’s Edge looks pretty and it’s great eye candy, but – as a game – it isn’t especially engrossing, even if players have the twitch reflexes necessary to pass increasingly difficult obstacles (which, in the interest of full disclosure, I apparently don’t – I was unable to finish Mirror’s Edge). It seems to exist largely to prove that it’s possible for it to exist, that the technology is sufficient to create a game which looks this sleek and features character movement which is this dynamic. With that out of the way, let’s get to the accessibility review.



Accessibility Issues / Concerns

Mirror’s Edge is a virtual disaster for accessibility. The most problematic aspect is clearly the significant amount of rapid button pushing which will affect gamers with precision concerns and with use of only one hand. In the absence of a specialized controller, gamers with use of only hand will likely have difficulties even getting through the tutorial which requires rapidly and repeatedly pressing the left and right bumpers in sequence. The game only gets more difficult from there. Players will often need to use sequences of slides, vaults and jumps to reach a goal while taking fire from enemies. In addition, players will need to jump to precise locations to avoid falling to their death, resulting in frustrating repetition. Furthermore, some of these challenges are timed, requiring players to reach a certain point within a given limit. Checkpoints seem somewhat frequent, but it doesn’t prevent some amount of backtracking which can be just as frustrating as failing the original challenge. Players with precision, mobility or twitch reflex concerns should strongly consider renting instead of buying, if they even do that.

Gamers with red / green color blindness will also need to exercise caution. Mirror’s Edge displays noteworthy objects in red – these can be pipes for balancing or swinging, ramps to leap off of, zip lines to slide down and so on. However, a number of levels have significant amounts of green in them, making it difficult for gamers with color blindness to see where they need to go next.

Deaf gamers fare somewhat better. Although the subtitles are in a small typeface, it is a sans serif face for maximum legibility and the subtitles are letterboxed, making it difficult for them to blend in with the background.



Mobility: 1
Visual: 1
Hearing: 7

My original purchase price: $19.99
Recommended purchase price: Rent

At A Glance

Precision: Precision is essential in Mirror’s Edge. Players will need to carefully time commands and move sticks to avoid death. The game gets significantly more difficult in this regard as it progresses. Recommend rating of 1 out of 10.

Deaf Gamers: The game is subtitled, but does not identify the speaker, nor is it closed-captioned. Recommend rating of 7 out of 10.

One-handed: Gamers with use of only one-hand will likely find Mirror’s Edge extraordinarily difficult without a specialized controller, and will likely find it very difficult even then. Recommend rating of 1 out of 10.

Subtitled: Subtitles are letterboxed and in a sans serif typeface for maximum legibility. The size of the typeface is rather small and may be difficult to read at longer distances. Recommend rating of 7 out of 10.

Color Blind: Noteworthy objects are displayed in red. Some levels require players to distinguish between red and green. Recommend rating of 1 out of 10.

Checkpoint / Save System: Checkpoints seem somewhat frequent, but aren’t always sufficient to prevent significant backtracking. Recommend rating of 5 out of 10.