I want to blaze through these chase sequences, replaying them over and over again just to feel the exhilarating speeds without stopping. Where making split-second decisions isn't vital but they are and they kill the momentum. I wouldn't mind so much if examples above were during the parts of the level when I am not being chased. Once again, the path I needed to take was right behind me: Mistake Example #4: Eden Mall ChaseĪfter I am shot at and pressured to take the elevator, I run to reach the upper level.Īs I run up these stairs, the natural flow is to keep going: Outside my view.īut you wouldn't know this because the level design instructed you to look in one direction, and then continue with the path of least resistance, guiding you forward to the right and in the wrong direction. I run pass it, turning right, going down, only to find out it is not the way to go:Īgain, your path to take was right behind me. Helicopter appears in front of me and shoots a hole through the tarp: I run forward, the same way I climbed up. There is a small section where I make my way across the red beam and climb up the construction supports: In the Heat chapter, I am being chased by the helicopter. Mistake Example #3: Heat Chapter - Helicopter Chase Jumping across I tried the door only to realize the way to go was right behind me, outside my view:
![mirrors edge parkour mirrors edge parkour](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HCVD9yVEO8k/maxresdefault.jpg)
I feel unstoppable running at exhilarating speed. Most of the running, jumping, sliding and climbing here is effortless. In the same level, as I make my way outside and now being chased by the helicopter. Mistake Example #2: Flight Chapter - Helicopter Rooftop Chase Simple solution would have been to place where the player has to go within view as soon as they turn the corner. I took the path of natural flow by going straight then up the wall to the left and it led me to a dead end. The path to take was off to the right, outside my view, here:Īfter multiple failed attempts, I realized there was an open door on the left that I could have taken or I could have busted through the window glass:īut this was not clear, especially in the heat of the chase. I went straight and jumped up on this ledge: Most of the chase sequence flows naturally, but when I came to this section, I missed where I was to go: Right after you meet Flow's sister you are confronted by guards and now being chased through the offices: Mistake Example #1: Flight Chapter - Office Chaseįirst example of this mistake is in the Flight chapter.
#Mirrors edge parkour how to#
Let me give you examples and then I will tell you how to fix it. It is like hitting a brick wall at high-speed. But when this movement is interrupted, it's noticeable. This is fine for some games but not for "Mirror's Edge".įor most of "Mirror's Edge" there is a natural and effortless flow from one building to another, from one red object to the next. When I am running fast but have to stop and look where I should go next - flow and momentum is disrupted. To me, "Mirror's Edge" is a racing game, but on your feet. So the level design guidance must be on point. With a high-pace, high-speed running, jumping and climbing game like "Mirror's Edge", keeping the player's momentum and flow without abruptly stopping them is essential.Įspecially for a game that doesn't have a radar or onscreen indicator where to go.
![mirrors edge parkour mirrors edge parkour](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tZz_1BesL9g/maxresdefault.jpg)
Keeping the player's movement forward through your level naturally and effortlessly is very important. Mirror's Edge Mistake: Placing Where the Player Needs to Go Next, Outside Their View So what is this ONE level design mistake I learned to avoid in my work? "Mirror's Edge" is a fast paced parkour game and having to stop mid-run to look around destroys the level's pacing and flow.Īnd it could be fixed with one simple level design principle. It didn't take long to find where to go next, but each time I got stuck, the flow of the level was disrupted. This includes red doors, railings, ledges, pipes, valves, boxes, ropes and buttons:īut even with "runner's vision", I was lost.
![mirrors edge parkour mirrors edge parkour](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5j0an_a5fGg/maxresdefault.jpg)
"Runner's vision" is a gameplay mechanic in "Mirror's Edge" where certain objects become highlighted in red that guide you where you need to go. I really enjoyed playing "Mirror's Edge".īut, the game has a level design problem despite having "runner's vision".