Game:

Mirror's Edge (2008)

Duration: 57:10

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9

Author's channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/kekuncias
Download: http://mirrors-edge.ru/load/maps_mirrors_edge/troubles_in_the_skyscraper/5-1-0-115

Earlier work of Leap of Faith's author.

It begins like a welcome change from your average Mirror's Edge custom map - instead of running around city's rooftops, we appear in the high skyscraper and see the spectacular vista of nighttime city from great height.

Unfortunately, problems quickly start to appear: we climb the scaffolding and reach the flags. It's hard to realize that we're supposed to use them to advance: when we try to jump using them (07:01), we fall (and the fall is too long, which is what Mirror's Edge isn't designed for - it makes ugly noise), which makes them seem like a decoration.

Careful exploration of the place leads to understanding that we actually need to use these flags to advance. This part is unnecessarily difficult, requiring huge amount of retries to complete it. Original game has special helper nodes around them which override the physics and make the player fly directly to the next beam, but they are not used here for some reason.

After putting a lot of effort into completing this difficult challenge, at 25:10 we finally reach the building. Was it worth it? At first we see welcome change of scenery - Shard styled offices with maintenance areas and elevator shafts is what I don't remember seeing in any of Mirror's Edge custom maps. Well done action and environmental puzzles entertain us. Design is convincing with good attention to detail.

At 27:41 there's a reused Merc's line from chapter where you have to rescue Kate and he tells you to get to sniper position, but, unfortunately, we never get to make use of that sniping position with a sniper rifle.

At 33:05 some strange rectangles can be seen through the window.

But then... 36:27 - We appear in the location that looks very similar to Pope's office from original game. That takes away the sense of experiencing something new.

What happens next? Some of the areas look too heavily influenced by original game or even copy-pasted from it, with puzzles "Press the button then search for what it did". One of them is weird since pressing the button drops the grate that closes the ventilation shaft. Lighting provides some interesting shadows but doesn't imitate bounced lights where it's expected to be done in order to follow the game's distinctive style.

Eventually we get to the roof which look exactly like the one in the game's ending only to finish the map by jumping to the helicopter.

You may enjoy this map if you're a big fan of Mirror's Edge and want to play everything that's available, but due to difficulty issue in the beginning and lack of originality later I can't recommend Troubles in the Skyscraper to general audience.

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