If you haven’t seen the video yet, go watch it.  (The link is to a remixed version with bad music, you should download the original instead if you can find it.)  Better yet, download it on the PlayStation Network and watch it in HD on an HDTV to do it justice.  If you have surround sound setup with a powerful subwoofer, pump it up.  Click on the link for a large picture and imagine that in smooth motion.  They announce that as in-game footage so hopefully they will live up to the hype they are creating for themselves.

I don’t remember being this excited about a game after watching only a small, tiny little video like that.

Yes it seems like its on rails and you can only choose from a few options but I am more sold on the experience, as short as it may be.  Like a short, test roller coaster, its a ride you won’t soon forget and a taste of things to come.  Some of what they show in this video I would love to see integrated into other games.

Here is what I think from what little they show you of the video.  Faith, the protagonist, is a courier with sort of cat burglar/assassin/ninja training.  Perhaps its a family thing?  You can choose different paths.  I think the different paths you take are highlighted in different colors.  Red, dangerous, Orange medium and Blue safe?

During some scenes you notice blurring around the edges.  I think this hints at some sort of turbo function that you need to use to scale walls, etc.

Is it like Bouncer?

Is it in a city like Dubai?  I like the high contrast visuals and the bright white futuristic look.

Interesting to note is the fact that this is using the Unreal Engine 3! XO  That was a real surprise for me.

Here is the EA publicity spin.

"Mirror’s Edge - In a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called runners carry sensitive information on foot via the rooftops and skyways. Usually the police leave them alone - they have bigger fish to fry - but now something has changed…

Play as Faith, the best and most agile of all runners, in an adrenaline-fuelled race to save her sister’s life as she unveils a bigger plot involving the whole city and the runners. Mirror’s Edge is an action-adventure game that revolutionizes the genre by introducing a full body experience with dynamic 1st person movement and combat, in an immersive modern-day universe and with a socially charged storyline."

I’m sold so far.

Check out this rarely shown screen of the action running/sliding away from the S.W.A.T. team.