Exploring other avenues...through parkour

EA Games' 2008 release, Mirror's Edge, was one release not to be overlooked.  This game featured many new perspectives (literally) on game play that may have been less polished in some predecessors.

The uniqueness of Mirror's Edge comes from its aesthetics.  The game environment is a beautiful, futuristic cityscape through which players much traverse in stylistic, parkour-esque movements.  Unlike most first-person shooter games, Mirror's Edge went to a further extent to create a more realistic experience. In this game, the character's arms, legs and torso can be visible on the screen, much like viewing from a real first person perspective. The game also features a female protagonist named Faith; Another unique aspect of the game!

My theory is that many didn't try this game due to a female lead character and a more experimental game play mechanic.  While I never purchased the console version of the game, I stumbled upon a version for iPhone that I played completely through.  This side-scroller version of the game was very cool! The game play for the mobile version may have been a bit more generic due to certain constraints, but nevertheless, the game kept me hooked and playing until I beat the game (unlike most that I play).

This game, like many others, has the potential to fall to the wayside of the bigger, hulking male protagonist titles that gamers have grown fond of.  If players were to be a it more open in their game choices, they're likely to find a gem such as Mirror's Edge amidst the machine-gun-toting meat heads in your typical first-person shooter.