It’s quite remarkable how Mirror’s Edge was released nearly two decades ago, yet there hasn’t been a game that has matched its exceptional art direction. The game’s design is incredibly sleek and purposeful, with every detail serving a specific function. It truly embodies the essence of the future translated into digital form, a feat that few other games have achieved since then. Instead, many have opted for a dull, realistic aesthetic, lacking the vibrancy and uniqueness of Mirror’s Edge.
In a fascinating oral history of the game on Design Room, the original senior developers shared some intriguing insights. During the game’s development, Mirror’s Edge was initially envisioned to have a more typical brown color palette, similar to other Unreal Engine games of that time. However, it was soon discovered that this design caused simulation sickness when moving quickly through the world. This led to a decision to simplify and clean up the visuals, resulting in the iconic look of Mirror’s Edge.
Art director Johannes Söderqvist explained that the original design resembled generic, run-down New York rooftops, lacking a distinct style. Senior producer Owen O’Brien pushed for a more visually striking approach, aiming for the game to be instantly recognizable. The team decided to strip away the colors from the textures, leaving most environments in pure white with occasional pops of color for guidance.
Lighting artist Oscar Carlén captured the essence of Mirror’s Edge beautifully, highlighting Faith’s hopeful spirit in a dystopian world through the game’s lighting. It truly enhances the player’s perspective and experience.
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading the full piece on Design Room. They are producing fantastic content! And don’t forget to play Mirror’s Edge, a timeless classic in the gaming world.
