Another new IP from the reformed Electronic Arts: Mirror’s Edge. They previewed this game recently for a small gaggle of the usual gaming press suspects. Earnest Cavalli at Game|Life has a good write-up.

The concept is parkour again, like Assassin’s Creed but faster-more-intense. Also the game has a refreshingly modern/near-future setting, something of a rarity these days. Players act as “runners”, a sort of specialized insurgent messenger in a dystopian state of pervasive electronics monitoring. All the stories I’ve read about the presentation emphasized the hyper-real camera movement and particular avoidance of guns or shooting on the player’s part. Assume versions for the 360 and PS3.

Cavalli expresses a wish to keep Mirror’s Edge from the same stupid overhype that AC was subjected to, and then goes on to tell us that it’s a strong contender for game of the year. Which is… incongruent, let’s say. I have to admit I’m pretty intrigued. The game looks quite unique in setting alone… the only thing that comes to mind is The Matrix. Very shiny and polished. If they get the camera movement right it could be really fun – the best parts of AC were the free-running flights from the guards.

(Note to Sony: send these developers your headtracking stuff. Would be a nice feature for this title in particular.)