I never have time to contribute here on Tildes because of life and kids, but, just wanted to write a word of praise. It was a fun listen. It reminded me the group of videos that I like from ACG's...
I never have time to contribute here on Tildes because of life and kids, but, just wanted to write a word of praise. It was a fun listen. It reminded me the group of videos that I like from ACG's channel called "These Worlds Are Amazing -Walking the Walk".
Loved the first Mirror's Edge; probably one of the games I've replayed multiple times this last 20 years together with The Witcher 1 and GTA Vice City, so I enjoyed listening about the game I already knew about and about the game I never played!
Yes, I never played Catalyst because I had a crappy a PC then but now with a good PC, I don't have any more free time, but, puh, your video really took all the excitement about ever playing that game. Really didn't like the new sci-fi vibe (god-damn, even the bullets are blue like lasers!!) and just like you said, the first game looks so futuristic but isn't! I wish I could read some analysis about that from an architect or something, it's really quite interesting. One thing I think that you didn't mention, but (maybe it is not really special or important) I really liked about the aesthetics, was usage of multiple languages. I really enjoyed the Japanese vibe to it. I think they really inspired themselves on Tokyo, most probably.
I really didn't like the new open world that you showed and described. In a way, I always thought the first Mirror's Edge was quite open world to me. I was open within the boundaries of the buildings, just like in real life! Having that slingshot like spider-man is just bad and lazy in my view. So, even though the first game was linear, it always felt quite open because I could choose different paths within the rooftops. I felt a like a real human doing cool stuff and looking at Catalyst it's like I'm watching a super-hero game...
Another thing that you mention really vibed with me was what you mentioned the news, the radio and things that your imagination fills in the blanks of the world-building. I never thought about this but makes total sense. Then, you reminded me why I like Remedy games like Alan Wake or Max Payne. They use the same "tricks"! You are kinda of alone in the world, but it feels lived in with background stories. On Max Payne 2 it was always fun to wait in the corner and let the enemies just talk about random things or listening to the radio. (maybe a new suggestion for a video from me ;) )
But even the fetching of the yellow bags had a hidden story behind it! Did you know? The story about the janitor runner. I always wanted to know more about the guy! I had the hope we would meet him in Mirror's Edge 2. He left some graffitis close to the runner bags. There were even mentioning him in one of those elevator news, I remember. See more about him: https://mirrorsedge.fandom.com/wiki/Janitor
Another funny bit was the Easter egg about the giant rat that comes running if shot the billboard after shooting your sister's armoured van :) There was also a message alluding to that! Something about giant rats were seen somewhere :)
But wow, the best thing that the Mirror's Edge 1 devs did was implementing an Alternate Reality Game ! That was also kinda of an easter egg. I remember that they created a real website for the kruger pirandello companies that you could visit and then you could find some clues inside. I remember that following all the clues, downloading some jpegs or something, at the end I had a txt that confirmed that Mirror's Edge 2 was on the way! Fascinating that there isn't lots of info about this on the web! I only found this:
The youtube link inside has what I mentioned (but not the part of the text about Mirror's Edge 2 coming, I think there were more websites to visit on the web, not sure, it was so long time ago)!!! Really cool to see it again! Damn, Mirror's Edge 1 was truly a game made with love, in my view. Catalyst feels really MBA-type developed game...
But okay, I stop now. It's been 40 mins writing :(
First of all, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day to watch my video and respond to it! You're right, a lot of the details in ME1 are Japanese, like manufacturing notes and...
First of all, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day to watch my video and respond to it!
I really liked about the aesthetics, was usage of multiple languages. I really enjoyed the Japanese vibe to it. I think they really inspired themselves on Tokyo, most probably.
You're right, a lot of the details in ME1 are Japanese, like manufacturing notes and such. It's really cool and easy to forget.
They use the same "tricks"! You are kinda of alone in the world, but it feels lived in with background stories. On Max Payne 2 it was always fun to wait in the corner and let the enemies just talk about random things or listening to the radio. (maybe a new suggestion for a video from me ;) )
This is called environmental story telling, and it does also play a role in the next video I want to make about the new Wolfenstein games. ;) No promise on when I'll be able to make it though. Generally the top games that use this technique are said to be the From Software games; Dark Souls, Elden Ring, etc, but they are not really my vibe as games unfortunately.
But even the fetching of the yellow bags had a hidden story behind it! Did you know? The story about the janitor runner. I always wanted to know more about the guy! I had the hope we would meet him in Mirror's Edge 2. He left some graffitis close to the runner bags. There were even mentioning him in one of those elevator news, I remember. See more about him: https://mirrorsedge.fandom.com/wiki/Janitor
Oh I didn't know that the Janitor was supposed to be a runner! I remember in ME1 there was the janitor closet with the pet rat in it (which by the way, returns in Catalyst in the final level). The giant rat easter egg returns as well, if you run along the rails in the final level away from the skyscraper, dodging trams going your way, you will eventually meet a gigantic rat blocking your way, and then you teleport back to the start of the level.
Damn, Mirror's Edge 1 was truly a game made with love, in my view. Catalyst feels really MBA-type developed game...
The worst thing is and that's one of my main points: It doesn't entirely. You can see that even under all those wrong choices, a lot of love has gone into making it, and in certain aspects, it is brilliant. I'd be fine with the futuristic take if it all was just done better. And I haven't considered it before, but you're right, you do feel like a super human in Catalyst, you're taking down so many enemies and zipping around on grappling hooks and such. Toning it down would have been a lot better.
I think I could have tolerated it all though if the story was great, and I partially hate the fact that the sidequest with Beatrix Blooch is in the game because it made me glimpse at something so much better.
Hi guys! I have finally finished my firsr video essay. Life got busy and technical issues had to be overcome, but I'm proud of this one.
Please enjoy!
I never have time to contribute here on Tildes because of life and kids, but, just wanted to write a word of praise. It was a fun listen. It reminded me the group of videos that I like from ACG's channel called "These Worlds Are Amazing -Walking the Walk".
Loved the first Mirror's Edge; probably one of the games I've replayed multiple times this last 20 years together with The Witcher 1 and GTA Vice City, so I enjoyed listening about the game I already knew about and about the game I never played!
Yes, I never played Catalyst because I had a crappy a PC then but now with a good PC, I don't have any more free time, but, puh, your video really took all the excitement about ever playing that game. Really didn't like the new sci-fi vibe (god-damn, even the bullets are blue like lasers!!) and just like you said, the first game looks so futuristic but isn't! I wish I could read some analysis about that from an architect or something, it's really quite interesting. One thing I think that you didn't mention, but (maybe it is not really special or important) I really liked about the aesthetics, was usage of multiple languages. I really enjoyed the Japanese vibe to it. I think they really inspired themselves on Tokyo, most probably.
I really didn't like the new open world that you showed and described. In a way, I always thought the first Mirror's Edge was quite open world to me. I was open within the boundaries of the buildings, just like in real life! Having that slingshot like spider-man is just bad and lazy in my view. So, even though the first game was linear, it always felt quite open because I could choose different paths within the rooftops. I felt a like a real human doing cool stuff and looking at Catalyst it's like I'm watching a super-hero game...
Another thing that you mention really vibed with me was what you mentioned the news, the radio and things that your imagination fills in the blanks of the world-building. I never thought about this but makes total sense. Then, you reminded me why I like Remedy games like Alan Wake or Max Payne. They use the same "tricks"! You are kinda of alone in the world, but it feels lived in with background stories. On Max Payne 2 it was always fun to wait in the corner and let the enemies just talk about random things or listening to the radio. (maybe a new suggestion for a video from me ;) )
But even the fetching of the yellow bags had a hidden story behind it! Did you know? The story about the janitor runner. I always wanted to know more about the guy! I had the hope we would meet him in Mirror's Edge 2. He left some graffitis close to the runner bags. There were even mentioning him in one of those elevator news, I remember. See more about him: https://mirrorsedge.fandom.com/wiki/Janitor
Another funny bit was the Easter egg about the giant rat that comes running if shot the billboard after shooting your sister's armoured van :) There was also a message alluding to that! Something about giant rats were seen somewhere :)
But wow, the best thing that the Mirror's Edge 1 devs did was implementing an Alternate Reality Game ! That was also kinda of an easter egg. I remember that they created a real website for the kruger pirandello companies that you could visit and then you could find some clues inside. I remember that following all the clues, downloading some jpegs or something, at the end I had a txt that confirmed that Mirror's Edge 2 was on the way! Fascinating that there isn't lots of info about this on the web! I only found this:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/941949-mirrors-edge/52446849
The youtube link inside has what I mentioned (but not the part of the text about Mirror's Edge 2 coming, I think there were more websites to visit on the web, not sure, it was so long time ago)!!! Really cool to see it again! Damn, Mirror's Edge 1 was truly a game made with love, in my view. Catalyst feels really MBA-type developed game...
But okay, I stop now. It's been 40 mins writing :(
First of all, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day to watch my video and respond to it!
You're right, a lot of the details in ME1 are Japanese, like manufacturing notes and such. It's really cool and easy to forget.
This is called environmental story telling, and it does also play a role in the next video I want to make about the new Wolfenstein games. ;) No promise on when I'll be able to make it though. Generally the top games that use this technique are said to be the From Software games; Dark Souls, Elden Ring, etc, but they are not really my vibe as games unfortunately.
Oh I didn't know that the Janitor was supposed to be a runner! I remember in ME1 there was the janitor closet with the pet rat in it (which by the way, returns in Catalyst in the final level). The giant rat easter egg returns as well, if you run along the rails in the final level away from the skyscraper, dodging trams going your way, you will eventually meet a gigantic rat blocking your way, and then you teleport back to the start of the level.
The worst thing is and that's one of my main points: It doesn't entirely. You can see that even under all those wrong choices, a lot of love has gone into making it, and in certain aspects, it is brilliant. I'd be fine with the futuristic take if it all was just done better. And I haven't considered it before, but you're right, you do feel like a super human in Catalyst, you're taking down so many enemies and zipping around on grappling hooks and such. Toning it down would have been a lot better.
I think I could have tolerated it all though if the story was great, and I partially hate the fact that the sidequest with Beatrix Blooch is in the game because it made me glimpse at something so much better.