Mirror’s Edge – The most frustrating game of all time?
Mirror’s Edge, a game that polarized opinion when it was first released, and continues to do so to this day. And with good reason. It’s a first-person platformer, which is unique, and means you spend a good portion of the game looking at walls 2 inches in front of your nose. But it’s the frustration levels that kill the game for me.
I know I’m late to this. Mirror’s Edge was released on the PS3 and Xbox 360 in November, but it’s taken me this long to give it a go. My problem – too much time working and not enough time gaming. I finally started the game three days ago, and I now feel confident enough to call it “the most frustrating game of all time.”
Mike reviewed Mirror’s Edge when it first came out and scored it a B+. It’s a fair score for a fair game and I agree with his sentiments about everyone having to at least give it a go, and the sense of playing something new and innovative. But reading back in hindsight, one paragraph stands out for me.
Some gamers may get frustrated by the amount of trial and error required to pass certain parts of the levels. There are parts of the level that will require you to play over and over again to figure out the perfect timing and path. Despite the initial frustration, if you keep at it the sense of accomplishment is more than rewarding enough.
Frustrating is the right word but there’s no “may” about it. Mirror’s Edge is singularly the most frustrating game I have ever played, and I’ve been gaming since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. There are other problems with the game, such as its ultra-short playing time and very predictable storyline. But it’s the frustration that really does my head in.
I’m almost at the end of Chapter 4. The prologue and tutorial were fine, but then once the proper levels began, I started to get stressed. I’ve had to continually repeat sections of levels, either due to not having a clue what is required of me, or because the main character, Faith, doesn’t do what I ask her to do.
Currently, I’m stuck trying to jump from one moving train to another. Not good when all you can see are your character’s hands and feet. After trying this section a few times, I ended up wanting to throw the game out of the window and slit my wrists. I ended up not doing either.
I know I’ll get accused of just being rubbish at the game, and maybe that’s partly true. But I can’t help thinking the game has been made ultra-frustrating in order to eke out the poor playing time. I enjoy gaming because it helps me to de-stress. Mirror’s Edge has only managed to distress.
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8 Responses to “Mirror’s Edge – The most frustrating game of all time?”
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February 23rd, 2009
Dave, try it in the local council estate for real, then go back and have another blast at Mirror’s Edge.
When Yahtzee reviewed it, he said the parts in the demo were the best bit. Would you agree?
Think of the trophies…think of the trophies…
February 23rd, 2009
First person + platforming = Ugh.
February 23rd, 2009
I hate Mirror’s Edge too way too boring and hard.
February 24th, 2009
I don’t mind playing a game that is difficult, but Mirror’s Edge crossed the line between fun and frustrating. There are a few bits were the platforming and the sense of speed work well, but most of the game consists of just getting mowed down by the blues time and time again. The designers should have put more of a focus on making a good platforming game. The game relies to heavily on just trying to run away from an onslaught of incoming bullets.
I’ve made it about halfway through the game. I’m in the mall and trying to make a wall run to a poll at the very end of the board. I’m stuck. I know where I need to go, but I just can’t manage to make the jump. SO frustrating.
February 24th, 2009
I only Played the demo and realized the game was a pile of poo being redundant, and the fact that you don’t play the game you learn every level through trial and error. oh and especially when you die getting shot at and you can’t even use a gun….
February 24th, 2009
Hey Dave Parrack,
Can I make an article like this, too? I want to talk about future graphics in gaming.
February 24th, 2009
I want to write also. You guys get review copies, right? Sign me up.
February 26th, 2009
As Dave’s girlfriend I’ve had to sit through the cries of frustration as Dave played the first few levels of this game. Watching him die so many times I got to thinking how hard could it really be?
It’s not even that it is hard it’s just very very annoying. The parkour isn’t hard but it is subject to user error of which there is a lot. Too many of the jumps require you to be aligned just so and what may seem impossible is in fact easier to accomplish than simply jumping up on a badly aligned box.
I don’t particularly enjoy being riddled with bullets as I’m trying to maneuver myself around some warehouse or another but seeing as it’s easier to run than to fight that’s what I’ve taken to doing. I find the disarming of gun toting gits nigh on impossible but when I do manage to get my hands on a gun it suddenly becomes fun again.
“Trial and error”? More like trial by fire, or even more appropriately trial by fire arm, repeatedly.
I’ve expressed an interest in selling this game once I’ve finished with it but not before burning it and pissing on it. I’ve even cussed the game designers, the game designers’ mums, the game designers’ grandmas, and the future generations of their families several times in sheer frustration.
Seriously if you have low levels of patience and a high frustration factor then for your own health stay away from Mirror’s edge.