10 Parkour Video Games Like Mirror’s Edge

The original Mirror’s Edge is inarguably one of the greatest parkour video games ever released. Despite only marginal mainstream success on initial release, the game has garnered a well-deserved loyal fanbase over the years. This isn’t surprising given the fact that Mirror’s Edge fluid momentum-driven parkour mechanics still feel as fresh as ever. Even better, the never Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst sees Faith (the franchise’s ‘traceuse’ protagonist) entering into the realm of open-world parkour exploration. Parkour video games like Mirror’s Edge are proof that taking giant leaps of Faith (ha!) off buildings will always be a timeless thrill.

Gamers looking to acrobatically traverse their way across sprawling landscapes will want to check out these 10 alternative parkour video games like Mirror’s Edge. Each of these titles has been selected according to the following criteria:

Selection Criteria Of Our List Of Games Like Mirror’s Edge:

• Each game must let players run, climb, slide, vault, and do other parkour moves in a free-flowing, momentum-driven manner.
• Exaggerated agility, lenient gravity, and some tech-enhancements are okay to a certain degree, so long as movement is mostly bodily-driven (i.e. no extensive driving, etc.). 
• Parkour need not be the main selling point of the game, through it has to be a very prominent gaming mechanic.
• Parkour is not exactly the same as freerunning. So, there will be a heavier emphasis on efficient player mobility rather than stylistic moves (having both is fine).
• Landscapes and level designs do not have to be restricted to urban cities, but they must allow players to freely experience all of the above.

None of these parkour video games like Mirror’s Edge are complete analogues to Faith’s fight against a totalitarian regime. Still, all of them feature an abundance of high-flying, wildly-traversing parkour moves that are bound to appeal to fans of the franchise. Be sure to also check out our Honourable Mentions at the end for additional titles beyond the main ten.

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1. Dying Light 

Why It’s Similar To Mirror’s Edge: There”s lots and lots of parkouring in Dying Light. Thankfully, it’s all very well-executed and easy to control. You’ll be taking death-defying leaps across rooftops and scaling tall buildings to dizzying heights in no time. As with other games like Mirror’s Edge, momentum is a key aspect of the game’s fluidity of chained movement. There’s also a similar sense of ‘I almost didn’t make that!’ as you gingerly pull yourself up from ledges by the tips of your fingers. Both games are played from a first-person perspective.

Why It’s Different: One word – zombies! Dying Light is infested with them. There’s also a huge survivalist gameplay element thrown in. So you’ll be scavenging for resources and crafting weapons as often as you’ll be parkouring. There’s also a dynamic day-and-night cycle that completely changes the way you play (i.e. zombies are far more dangerous and reactive at night). Unlike Mirror’s Edge, Dying Light has an experience system that appropriately rewards you with upgrades based on your actions and style of play. Additionally, Dying Light takes place in an open-world environment, unlike the closed-up areas of the original Mirror’s Edge (but akin to the expansiveness of Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst).

Overall: Games like Mirror’s Edge and Dying Light know how to do parkour right. The game ranks way up there among the best parkour video games ever released, though its story is a little hit-and-miss and the main character falls heavily on the generic side. Both the original and the expansion, Dying Light: The Following, are worth checking out. Note: The Following does tone down the parkour sections a little in favor of a new driving mechanism.

Read more honest player reviews of Dying Light and Dying Light: The Following.

2. Vector

Why It’s Similar: As one of a few games like Mirror’s Edge, Vector is all about parkour leaping, climbing, vaulting, and sliding across city urbanscapes. Chained fluidity is also achieved by timing each of your parkour moves at just the right moment. Vector’s storyline, while abstract, is also startlingly similar to Mirror’s Edge’s: you play as a guy running away from an Orwellian totalitarian government. Vector also nails its sense of tense momentum as you dash to escape from armed and/or running baddies. Replayability is high for those looking to perfect their timed urban runs.

Why It’s Different: Unlike Mirror’s Edge, Vector is an exclusively 2D side-scroller. You’re also always automatically running, so controls are simply about swiping up or down at the right times (i.e. still immensely fun and challenging). Vector also features stylish freerunning move upgrades that are collected by flicking upwards over icons scattered throughout stages which divide up the game. Vector’s simple silhouette visuals look absolutely gorgeous but do not feature the same bright, color-coordinated palettes of Mirror’s Edge.

Overall: Vector is one of the best play-as-you-go games for Smart Phones available. It a breeze to pick up and takes time to completely master. Guaranteed to be immensely satisfying for fans of parkour video games.

Read more honest player reviews of Vector.

3. Lemma

Why It’s Similar: Lemma features Joan – a female protagonist who, like Faith, is able to rapidly jump, slide, and hurdle her way across far-reaching landscapes in record time. The game is also played from the first-person perspective, giving an excellent sense of parkour immersion (with the added bonus of VR support). Controls are responsive and, similar to Mirror’s Edge, there’s a generous dose of (overall) well-placed colored cues to help you navigate the initially intimidating environments. Like Mirror’s Edge, the soundtrack of Lemma is atmospherically phenomenal.

Why It’s Different: Unlike Mirror’s Edge pristine City of Glass, Lemma takes place in a mysterious surreal world made up of Voxel-based floating islands. The story is intentionally enigmatic, with scattered notes and phone messages cuing you in as to what’s going on. Lemma also places a very heavy emphasis on platform puzzle-solving, even more so than Mirror’s Edge, Additionally, the game actually introduces innovative parkour elements that allow you to creatively mold your environments to some degree (i.e. you can magically extend the ground and side surfaces by sliding and wall-running, etc.). Lemma is also a tiny bit ‘stickier’ than Mirror’s Edge when it comes to traversal leniency, thanks to Joan’s far-reaching arms that help save her from moments of falling death. Well, sometimes anyway.

Overall: Apart from a few very minor glitches and some janky movements, Lemma stands strong among the best parkour video games like Mirror’s Edge. All the more impressive considering the game was developed by just one man, Evan Todd. A true indie gem if there ever was one.

Read more honest player reviews of Lemma.

4. Ninja Pizza Girl

Why It’s Similar: Like Mirror’s Edge, pizza delivery ninja Gemma makes parkour look stunningly effortless. As can be expected, you’ll be slipping, sliding, and jumping up and over urban obstacles with ease. The game’s controls are very fluid and responsive. Ninja Pizza Girl also utilises bright visual cues (often in the form of arrows) to guide you through stages. Maintaining the right momentum and properly timing your landing rolls are also key to ensuring a smooth, chained run.

Why It’s Different: Unlike Mirror’s Edge, Ninja Pizza Girl’s premise is much more light-hearted (i.e. pizza + ninja + parkour?). There are plenty of funny quips and quirky commentary inserted into the text-based dialogue. However, beneath its casual surface, the game actually helps to spread a positive moral message against mean-spirited bullying. Like Vector, Ninja Pizza Girl is a 2D platformer with multiple pathways towards each stage’s end-point. Gemma is also much more customizable than Faith. You’ll be able to purchase various outfits and items that have varying impacts on building Gemma’s self-esteem (i.e. another running theme in the game. Running! Geddit? Nevermind.)

Overall: For its short length, Ninja Pizza Girl is a tiny bit on the pricey side. Regardless, the game manages to nail an excellent sense of ‘flowing’ momentum that will almost definitely appeal to those looking for more fun and addictive parkour games like Mirror’s Edge. The implicit social commentary on bullying and confidence building is also a nice narrative touch.

Read more honest player reviews of Ninja Pizza Girl.

5. Prince of Persia: ‘The Sands of Time’ Trilogy

Why It’s Similar: The Prince of Persia reboot series’ ample amounts of wall-running, ledge climbing, and dodge rolling are highly reminiscent of MIrror’s Edge, albeit with lethal spikes and traps thrown in. Like Mirror’s Edge, base acrobatic maneuvers are easy to execute, though careful timing and patient practice are absolutely crucial to mastery. In true parkour style, you’ll also be required to extensively observe and interact with your surrounding environments in order to get from Point A to Point B.

Why It’s Unique: Unlike Mirror’s Edge, the Prince of Persia series features a merciful time-rewinding mechanic that lets you (to a certain degree) instantly retry failed parkour attempts sans loading screens. The games also contain much more direct melee combat than Mirror’s Edge. There’s also a heavy emphasis on pattern-recognition which all but decides the success or failure of your trap-filled, third-person perspective platforming. Many sections in the Prince of Persia games are much more ‘room-centric’ than Mirror’s Edge.

Overall: Despite the passing Sands of Time (couldn’t resist), the parkour elements of this rebooted Prince of Persia trilogy still hold up immensely well even by today’s standards. A must-play for parkour-enthusiasts looking for games like Mirror’s Edge with a ramped up – but ultimately, fair – level of difficulty.

Read more honest player reviews of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Trilogy.

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