Mirror's Edge Catalyst Opinion

So I just finished watching someone play this game. I feel it's a good game, combats a bit rubbish but combats not the point of the game so I'm not really that bothered. But I've noticed something. Everyone said it's supposed to be a prequel to the first. But I don't think it is as certain things that happen in Catalyst,won't spoil anything, make it look like they say F the first game pretend that didn't happen. This is what happens now. Which can be good as the first game was kinda of just...There. It did have a story but no characters were really explained or backstory given other than we knew about a riot happening causing the city to be the way it is. But with the first being out for so long and people actually did like it, me included. We can't exactly just forget it happened. I don't really like it when game devs do that but if they plan to make more then it could work.