A REAL platformer in a 3-d environment, this game rocks!
In other attempts to achieve a real platforming experience, you could jump and flip and bounce off things but generally only in a straight line. While playing ME you can do all of the above, plus flip, climb, swing, slide, et al. and do it wherever you want to do it, given that you don't get yourself killed. Faith's lithe movements make the game feel like it's flowing. As you get more and more moves strung together it flows faster and faster. Sitting in your chair, you tend to tense up as she does each action, quite as if you've been drawn into the game. THAT is what's so great about platforming.
I know that others have talked about weak combat and having to repeat levels, but I think that they are looking at the game for things that it's not intended to excel at. If you want a once-through game, play Prince of Persia. Great game, but you can't die so it's kind of like one big push through the game. If you want to learn the game, learn the moves, and really 'immerse' yourself into the character and her abilities, play Mirror's Edge.
For combat you can go just about ANYWHERE else. There are thousands of games out there for that.
On a final note, as amazing as this game is, I think that the biggest thing that ME adds to the gaming world is what it shows to be possible. How many times have you played a shooter and been disgusted that you can't jump over a fence, even though you're an incredible being with super strength and agility? If more games are made with the freedom of basic movement that ME shows to be an asset, I think the face of games as we know it will change.
Sj