For many years, traversal was merely a means to an end in action games. Even if you had jetpacks or grappling hooks or low gravity, traveling from point A to point B was just something that needed to happen so you could go kill more bad guys. The original Mirror’s Edge, in contrast, made movement its core gameplay mechanic, boldly pushing combat to the periphery. Its stylish first-person parkour was in many ways a revelation, but its hackneyed narrative and flawed overall design failed to provide a compelling framework for its novel traversal system.

Mirror’s Edge Catalyst seeks to rectify these shortcomings by retaining the original’s first-person free running--as well as its lead character, an underground courier named Faith--while revamping the rest of the experience. Rather than discrete missions and levels, for example, the game now takes place in a massive, open city full of ledges, zip-lines, and climbable objects. In theory, you’ll be free to roam wherever, and if you’re feeling lost, you can activate Runner Vision, which creates a subtle path towards waypoints and objectives by highlighting certain objects in the environment. There should still be room for creative pathfinding, however, thanks to the city’s puzzles, time trials, and races.

Combat has reportedly been adjusted as well. Though she can no longer wield weapons, Faith can apparently execute fluid takedowns designed to feel like a natural outgrowth of her parkour skills. Unfortunately, guns or not, you’ll have wait until May before you can smash the totalitarian plutocracy and corporate monoculture of Faith’s dystopian future.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: May 24