Mirror's Edge™ Catalyst (2020)

Mirror's Edge Catalyst casts players as Faith, a daring free runner battling for liberty in the sprawling, beautiful yet secretly oppressive city of Glass. From its gleaming, high-rise rooftops to its gritty underbelly, this elegant high-tech metropolis serves as an expansive playground for exploration. Through a fluid first-person perspective, players combine Faith's advanced combat skills with her signature free-running prowess, mastering every aspect of the environment – from zipping down wire lines and balancing on pipes to seamless wall runs and dynamic swings – to uncover a deep conspiracy. Her survival hinges on maintaining momentum for daring leaps and stylish slides, utilizing moves like Shift for quick bursts of acceleration and Quickturn for rapid directional changes, all while executing devastating Heavy Traversal Attacks or flowing through enemies with Light Traversal Attacks that build essential Focus. Electronic Arts' inclusion of Mirror's Edge Catalyst on a list of its best games is well-deserved due to its pioneering approach to first-person traversal and unique atmospheric design. Developed by DICE, it redefined the genre by emphasizing a balletic, momentum-driven parkour system over traditional gunplay, immersing players in a truly singular experience where movement itself is the primary weapon and defense. The innovative Focus mechanic, which rewards continuous free running with temporary invulnerability, alongside the intricate open-world design of Glass, provided a breathtaking canvas for unparalleled acrobatic freedom. Catalyst, with its distinct visual style and innovative gameplay loop, offered a fresh and ambitious vision, solidifying its place as a standout title that pushed creative boundaries within EA's diverse portfolio.