- Mirror's Edge Catalyst lore reimagines Faith Connors' origin story in the city of Glass
- The Conglomerate rules Glass through surveillance, comfort, and total corporate control
- Runners are the last uncensored couriers, using rooftops to evade the Grid
- The Reflection project is the conspiracy at the heart of the main plot
- The 2008 original and Catalyst share themes, but Catalyst is a reboot, not a sequel
The City of Glass: Setting the Stage
The Mirror's Edge Catalyst lore centers on Glass, a pristine white-and-glass corporate utopia built on total surveillance. Citizens live comfortable but strictly controlled lives under the rule of the Conglomerate, an alliance of corporations that replaced government after the November Riots. The Runners' rooftop network is the only free path left in the city.
Glass is divided into distinct districts, each with its own identity and story role:
| District | Role in the Story | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor | Faith's home turf, early missions | Runner hideout, long glass facades |
| Downtown | Corporate heart of the city | Dense rooftops, tight stair sets |
| View District | Elite territory, finale chase | Viewpoint tower, Gabriel Kruger chase |
| The Undermine | Underground resistance zone | Black November base, hidden paths |
| The Shard | Kruger's tower complex | Final infiltration, Reflection project |
Video Highlights:
- The official E3 2015 trailer introduces Glass and Faith's return
- Showcases the parkour-driven freedom the Runners fight for
- Establishes the stark white-and-red visual language of the world
Glass reimagines the setting of the 2008 original. Catalyst is a rebooted origin story, not a direct sequel — events of the first game are not required knowledge, though long-time fans will recognize familiar themes and the Connors family name.
Key Characters and Their Roles
Faith's journey through Glass is shaped by a compact cast of allies and antagonists, with the Kruger family's history deeply entangled with her own past — including the death of her parents during the November Riots.
Faith Connors
- Protagonist, fresh out of juvenile detention
- Rejoins the Runners under Noah's guidance
- Grows from reckless courier to symbol of resistance
Noah Kekai
- Faith's mentor and veteran Runner leader
- Keeps the crew independent from Black November
- Pays a heavy price protecting Faith from Kruger's forces
Icarus
- Young, headstrong Runner
- Initially clashes with Faith's attitude
- Grows into one of her most reliable allies
Gabriel Kruger
- Head of Kruger Security (K-Sec)
- The Conglomerate's iron hand in Glass
- Family history tied to the November Riots
Isabel Kruger
- Gabriel Kruger's daughter
- Connected to the Reflection project
- Links the plot to Faith's family secrets
Rebecca Thane
- Leader of Black November in the Undermine
- Represents the militant resistance faction
- Challenges the Runners' neutral courier philosophy
The central tension isn't just Faith versus Kruger — it's also Faith's cabal versus Black November. Noah insists Runners stay neutral couriers, while Thane believes in open resistance against the Conglomerate.
Factions and Power in Glass
The world of Catalyst is built on a hierarchy of corporate power, enforcement, and resistance. Understanding these factions explains nearly every conflict in the campaign.
| Faction | Alignment | Role in the Lore |
|---|---|---|
| The Conglomerate | Corporate rulers | Replaced government, controls the city and the Grid |
| Kruger Security (K-Sec) | Enforcement arm | Polices citizens, hunts Runners, guards the Shard |
| The Runners | Neutral couriers | Move information across rooftops, uncensored |
| Black November | Militant resistance | Operates from the Undermine, seeks open revolt |
| Ordinary Citizens | Controlled populace | Live comfortable but surveilled lives |
Every message in Glass passes through the Conglomerate's surveillance grid — except what Runners carry. That makes the rooftop courier network the last channel of free information, and why K-Sec treats Runners as a threat worth hunting.
The Main Story Arc, Chapter by Chapter
Faith's campaign spans eight chapters, from her escape out of Kruger custody to the final confrontation atop the Shard. Here's how the lore unfolds:
Prison Break
Faith escapes the Kruger Holding Facility and returns to Glass. She rejoins the Runner cabal — meeting Icarus, Nomad, and Plastridge — and relearns the rooftop craft under Noah's watch.
Sprint and the Anchor District
Training runs with Icarus establish the Runner brotherhood and its rivalries. Early missions in Anchor introduce the Mag Rope and open Glass to free roaming.
The Beatrice Case and Rebecca Thane
A stolen data drive pulls Faith into the Undermine, where Black November's leader reveals the resistance's harder path. Deliveries past K-Sec patrols escalate the stakes.
The Kruger Data and the Reflection Project
Infiltrating the Kruger tower complex uncovers the truth behind Reflection — a plan tied to Faith's own family secrets and the corporate control of Glass. Noah is captured, forcing Faith to act.
The Gabriel Kruger Chase and Finale
The signature helicopter chase across the View District rooftops leads to a final gauntlet atop the Shard, where Faith confronts the Kruger family legacy and decides the fate of the resistance.
The finale resolves the Reflection storyline while leaving Faith positioned as the emerging symbol of resistance — a deliberate setup that, as of 2026, has not received a sequel.
Hidden Lore: Documents and Environmental Storytelling
Beyond the cutscenes, Catalyst buries much of its worldbuilding in optional collectibles. Hidden Documents scattered across offices, maintenance rooms, and hideouts expand the lore of Glass, Kruger Security, and the runner network — each one is added to your story log for later reading.
Lore Hunter Checklist:
- Collect hidden Documents in every district
- Explore the Undermine for Black November backstories
- Search the Shard offices for Reflection project records
- Revisit Anchor hideouts after each chapter for new documents
- Read your story log after major story beats
Documents favor interiors and hidden alcoves during main and side missions. If a building looks like it belongs to Kruger or the Conglomerate, check its offices and maintenance shafts — that's where the corporate lore lives.
Lore FAQ
Q: Is Mirror's Edge Catalyst a sequel to the 2008 game?
No. Catalyst is a rebooted origin story for Faith Connors. It reimagines the city and characters of the original, so you can start with Catalyst without playing the 2008 release — though returning fans will recognize shared themes and names.
Q: What is the Reflection project in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
Reflection is the conspiracy at the heart of the plot — a plan tied to Isabel Kruger, the Kruger family's history, and Faith's own family secrets, all connected to the corporate control of Glass and its surveillance grid.
Q: Why are Runners important in the lore?
All communication in Glass passes through the Conglomerate's surveillance grid. Runners are the last uncensored couriers, physically carrying sensitive information across the rooftops — which is why KrugerSec hunts them.
Q: How do I learn more lore beyond the main story?
Collect the hidden Documents found in offices, maintenance rooms, and hideouts. Each document is added to your story log and expands the backstory of Glass, K-Sec, Black November, and the runner network.
For official world details, visit the EA Mirror's Edge Catalyst page or join the community at r/mirrorsedge.