It didn't get the best review scores or sell incredibly well, but that doesn't mean that EA is ready to give up on Mirror's Edge. Both faults have good excuses, with the poor sales being tied to a misplaced release date, and the mediocre review scores easily being attributed to the game being the first attempt at creating an entirely new genre. Even those who didn't enjoy the original had to applaud DICE's attempt, and it feels that the developer might be able to do something wonderful with the franchise if given some more time and another chance at bat. While they haven't announced a true sequel just yet, an iPhone version is in the works, which means, if nothing else, that EA is committed to the franchise. At a recent Electronic Arts event we had a chance to sit down (or, rather, stand up) with the iPhone version of the game, which is due out within the next few months.

The build we saw wasn't finished, but it was unmistakably Mirror's Edge. Blue skies, white buildings, and red pipes lined the fully-rendered, 2D cityscape, and it looked like it was a scene taken right out of the opening levels of the console version. For an iPhone game, the visuals were awesome, reminiscent of the handheld Assassin's Creed games more than most titles to make it on the phone. Animations and particle effects in particular looked fantastic, pushing the iPhone to its visual limits.

                 

In a way, it plays not unlike a Sonic game, relying on precise movements to make jumps or change paths instead of traditional platforming. Faith runs on her own, and the game's controls are reliant on the touch screen to allow players the ability to navigate. Swiping down or up has the heroine either leap or slide depending on the environment and her speed. More complex actions, like running on walls, are completed with multiple swipes, all of which felt fairly intuitive on the iPhone. Some minor accelerometer support was also included, but it felt that the game would rely almost entirely on motions made on the touch screen.

Mirror's Edge has a chance to stand out on the iPhone, and it appears as though the developers have done a good job capturing what makes the series unique without sacrificing too much. Despite being shrunk down to a much smaller screen, the speed-based platformer might end up being one of the better games on the platform, and we can't wait to find out if it's true.

Mirror's Edge is due out this spring on the iPhone.