- Not a sequel: Mirror's Edge Catalyst is a reboot that retells Faith Connors' origin story.
- New continuity: The 2008 game's plot — the Mayoral election, Kate's framing — is replaced entirely.
- Open world: Unlike the linear original, Catalyst features a free-roam city of Glass.
- Story knowledge not required: You can start with Catalyst without playing the 2008 game.
- Shared DNA: Faith, the Runner visual style, and first-person parkour all return.
Sequel or Reboot? The Short Answer
Mirror's Edge Catalyst is not a sequel to the 2008 Mirror's Edge — it is a full reboot of the series. EA and developer DICE rebuilt Faith's story from the ground up, presenting a fresh origin narrative in which Faith is released from juvenile detention and rejoins the Runner cabal under her mentor Noah. The events of the original game, including the plot surrounding Faith's sister Kate, do not carry over into Catalyst's timeline.
The reboot decision reshapes everything: the city, the supporting cast, and Faith herself. Where the 2008 game told a conspiracy thriller in strictly linear levels, Catalyst opens the entire city of Glass for free-roam parkour, side missions, deliveries, time trials, and player-created Dashes.
Because Faith returns as the protagonist and the white-and-red visual identity is unmistakable, many players assume Catalyst continues the 2008 story. It does not — character backstories, including Faith's family history with the Kruger family, were rewritten for the new continuity.
Story Continuity: What Changed
Catalyst's plot centers on the Conglomerate, a corporate alliance that controls Glass through total surveillance, and on Gabriel Kruger, head of Kruger Security (K-Sec). The Reflection project — a scheme tied to Faith's own family secrets — drives the main campaign from Faith's prison break to the finale atop the Shard.
The key story differences break down as follows:
| Element | Mirror's Edge (2008) | Mirror's Edge Catalyst (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Faith's role | Established Runner caught in a conspiracy | Young ex-convict rejoining the Runners, an origin arc |
| Central plot | Kate framed for murder during an election | The Reflection project and Kruger family secrets |
| Main antagonist | Mayor Callaghan's regime | Gabriel Kruger and Kruger Security |
| Sister Kate | Central to the plot | Not part of the rebooted story |
| Setting | Unnamed city, linear levels | City of Glass, open-world districts |
| Supporting cast | Merc, Celeste, Ropeburn | Noah, Icarus, Nomad, Isabel Kruger |
No. Catalyst was designed as an entry point for new players. Everything you need to understand Faith's journey — her mentors, her rivals, the city's politics — is introduced within the game itself.
Gameplay Differences Beyond the Story
The reboot label applies to mechanics as much as narrative. Catalyst removes the original's linear chapter structure and replaces it with a connected open world where districts unlock as you progress through the campaign.
Structure
- 2008: Linear mission select, no free roam
- Catalyst: Open city with fast travel and side content
- Districts unlock story-by-story
Combat
- 2008: Disarm-focused, guns usable
- Catalyst: Momentum-based melee, Faith never uses guns
- Focus attacks reward speed and timing
Progression
- 2008: No skill tree
- Catalyst: Chipsets fund Upgrade Chips across Traversal, Combat, and Gear branches
- Gadgets like the MAG Rope unlock via story
Side systems scale accordingly. Catalyst adds collectible GridLeaks, hidden Documents, Chipsets, Runner Bags, time trials with star targets, and community-made Dashes — none of which existed in the 2008 release.
| Feature | 2008 Original | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|
| Open world | No | Yes, full free roam |
| Skill tree | No | Traversal / Combat / Gear branches |
| MAG Rope & Disruptor | Not present | Core gadgets |
| Side missions & deliveries | No | 30+ side activities |
| Online leaderboards | Time-trial DLC only | Time Trials and player Dashes |
| Collectibles | Hidden bags only | GridLeaks, Documents, Chipsets, Bags |
How to Experience Both Games in 2026
If you want the full Mirror's Edge picture, follow this recommended path:
Start with Catalyst
Play the reboot first. Its open-world movement, refined combat, and progression systems make it the most accessible entry, and its story stands fully on its own.
Play the 2008 Original for Contrast
Experience the linear classic to see where the series began — its tighter, tunnel-vision level design still holds up as a pure parkour challenge.
Treat Them as Separate Timelines
Do not reconcile the two stories. Characters and events overlap in name and theme only; the reboot deliberately discards the original continuity.
Go Deep on Catalyst's Endgame
Return to Catalyst for Dashes, leaderboard runs, and 100% completion — the long-tail content the original never had.
Catalyst runs natively on modern hardware and is available on Steam and via EA's official page. The 2008 original is a separate purchase and a separate story.
Mirror's Edge Series Checklist:
- Understand Catalyst is a reboot, not a sequel
- Play Catalyst's main campaign (8 chapters, 13 missions)
- Try the 2008 original for the classic linear experience
- Explore Catalyst's Dashes and Time Trials endgame
FAQ
Q: Is Mirror's Edge Catalyst a sequel to the 2008 game?
No. Catalyst is a reboot that restarts the series with a new origin story for Faith Connors. The plot, supporting characters, and city lore of the 2008 game are not part of its continuity.
Q: Do I need to play the first Mirror's Edge before Catalyst?
Not at all. Catalyst introduces Faith, the Runners, Kruger Security, and the city of Glass from scratch, so it works as a standalone starting point for new players.
Q: Does Faith's sister Kate appear in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
Kate, who was central to the 2008 story, does not feature in the rebooted continuity. Instead, Catalyst builds Faith's family history around the Kruger family and the November Riots.
Q: Why did EA reboot the series instead of making a sequel?
The 2008 game sold modestly, and DICE wanted a clean slate: an open-world structure, a weapon-free momentum combat system, and a rewritten origin story broadened the audience without requiring knowledge of the first game.