Derek's Guide for Cheapskate Gamers - Mirror's Edge Demo

Welcome to Derek's Guide for Cheapskate Gamers, a guide where I review things for like-minded people as myself, who's main attributes lie the the fact that they are such cheapskates, the only thing they have on their consoles (when they are actually willing to cough out the dough to buy one), are game demos.

For this installment, I shall be taking a look at the spanking new hit coming out from EA Digital Illusions CE studio, Mirror's Edge

The demo for Mirror's Edge was just unleased on the Playstation Network for US and EU just last week, and after pushing my broadband to the limit, I completed the download, and fired up the much raved game. But before we get to the game itself, behold, the trailer....

The moment I actually saw the trailer, the one thing Mirror's Edge remind of, is Parkour. And I quote, from the great tome of Wikipedia itself...

Parkour (sometimes abbreviated to PK) or l'art du déplacement (English: the art of movement) is an activity with the aim of moving from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body. It is meant to help one overcome obstacles, which can be anything in the surrounding environment—from branches and rocks to rails and concrete walls—and can be practiced in both rural and urban areas. Parkour practitioners are referred to as traceurs, or traceuses for females.

Still confused? Check out this video on YouTube and you will get my drift.
So what else can get better than a refreshing new look on an old FPS Genre, by instilling a never-seen-before speed and freedom of movement, and cutting back on the shooting itself. Couple this with an anti-doom type city, a city all white, bright and vibrant (which somehow reminds me of the Orwellian 1984 for some reason), and you have a winner.
For those hardcore gamers, you might need a little refresher, as this is not your fps. Much less fighting, alot more running (which is perfect for me, who plays FPS like a hit and run, or more closer to run-to-the-exit type).

Now back to the demo. The demo consists of a training level as well as the first mission of the game. The training level teaches you the basics of the game (which is about 3 buttons and the analog sticks, if you use the SIXAXIS functions) and runs you quickly through your first mission.

The controls are sweet and simplistic to learn, yet hard to master. The level itself if fairly self explanatory, although there was a part where I got lost. Death is like any other FPS, die and restart at some checkpoint before.

Fun Factor - This game is fun. Really fun. Seriously. How else to I explain it.

Prettiness - This game is also very very pretty. Bright vibrant colors would be the last thing you'd expect from an FPS (Hi Doom, Resistance, Call of Duty, and every other gloomy FPS). And they really hit the free movement look very well, with arms and legs flailing around.

Play Length - 20 mins will run you through the entire thing. There is a time trail mode unlockable for those that pre-order the full game, or win it online (from 1UP Mirror's Edge competition), but I don't have access to that.

Replayability - If you are anything like me, the tutorial will not be replayed, but the first missioon, you may retry several times to get a real smooth run like what you see in the trailer. After that, it's a waste of 1's and 0's on your hard disk.

So my final recommendation, download the demo, and rent the game afterwards. Or trade it. Either way, get the demo, and get hooked.

P.S. - Anyone liked the dreamy dance track theme song? I fell in love with it and Faith standing on top of the cranes after finishing the demo. Anyway, the song can be found here and there is a MegaUpload link to the mp3 as well.