So, I just finally got around to playing the fifth and final Chapter of the Myst saga (after having played all the other four a while back as they came out), End of Ages.

Though I was a little disappointed at the last one, that's only compared to the others. I'd put it above average among adventure games, like all the rest of them.

They certainly aren't for everyone, like action junkies, or people with an IQ below 110. Other than that, these games are pure genius. The only ones I ever used a walkthrough for the majority of were the first and most of Riven, but that was about, what, ten years ago, I was a kid. But the last three... whoa. And as good as the graphics are, they're nowhere near as good as the game dynamics themselves.

I think my favorite would have to be the fourth (Revelation) for the storyline, even though the third (Exile) had some phenomenal acting which is not something you see a lot in games anymore.

In fact that particular acting was so good that... (Myst III Spoiler)
I did the ending just once where Saavedro (the villain) gives you back the book he worked so hard to steal, and you leave him trapped anyway, and I still feel bad. Hah.

So, has anyone else been into these games. Again, I know they aren't for everyone. But as for me, every once in a while I enjoy playing a game where I rely on using my head instead of reflexes and coordination or whatever.


...Discuss.

I had the PSP version but I got bored. If the load times weren't so painfully long then I probably would have given it more of a chance.

I've only played the first one, but it still sticks out as one of my better gaming experiences. Actually, I had the guidebook for it for years before I even had a PC. Dunno why. So when I finally played the game it was like this mind-blowing experience where a book I'd read had come to life in a way.

Maybe I'll give the sequels a go in the near future.

i have been tempted to buy a MYST game more than once. but for some odd reason i cant find myself to buy it.

can you tell me reasons why i should buy it?
i wanna know that im gonna enjoy it, so that its money well spent

Never heard of it, tbh.

Like Catty said, tell me more.

Never heard of it, tbh.

Like Catty said, tell me more.

You're on an island alone, you point and click things to find out what's going on or something like that.

that much i could figure by the back of the box.
i like and own a lot of point and click games, so what`s different? what can myst offer that other games havent already?

It's basically a very well done adventure game. Proof that not all point and clickers are created equal. Most modern gamers (read: console gamers) probably don't even know what that is or get it confused with Japanese action-adventure titles, famously Legend of Zelda. Adventure usually means lots of pointing, clicking, and very little in the way of action with the focus on exploration and solving puzzles and in this, Myst succeeds brilliantly where most other games fail.

Myst isn't some genre bending title that takes gaming to its limits. By contrast, Myst is the definition of adventure. It delivers an intriguing story through ingenious puzzles and exploration without sacrificing a single moment to mediocrity-- something for which any plot driven game, regardless of genre, should strive. Progression relies heavily on your abilities to think and desire to explore, but without a bunch of enemies to block your path like every other game.

It begins with you opening an innocent book called Myst. Suddenly, you're transported to a strange island and that's pretty much all the game does for you. From then on there is no flash. With two important exceptions, there are no people to help or hinder you. There is only you and the mystery. The developers wisely tossed out anything at all that could distract you from that. So you are quite encouraged to run all over the island gawking at the odd machines and awkward topography of the silent island. And the moment you start wondering where everyone has disappeared to is the moment Myst hooks you.

Of course you get to explore other places besides the main island in the shape of four Ages, otherworlds of different landscapes. Add in multiple endings and you've got an instant classic. Vast acclaim has enabled numerous ports, most recently to the DS and PSP.

Why play it? Why the hell not if you like adventure games? It's got older graphics sure, but this is no different from recommending something like Chrono Trigger to a JRPG fan.

The first one isn't as good in the graphics department as the sequels, but... yeah, kind of need to play it first. Doomjockey summed it up pretty well.

First of all, this belongs in general gaming, as Myst does not even resemble anything that could reasonably be mistaken for an RPG.

Aside from that, I love adventure games of pretty much all types. I've played them for as long as I can remember. Myst is not among the best of them. Not by a long shot. Random clicking, completely stationary environments, absurd puzzles that are almost impossible to spot, much less solve through the use of logic instead of trial and error or by consulting a walkthrough... These are not the marks of quality. I just don't get where the love for Myst comes from. Maybe because it was the first adventure game a lot of people played? I can't see any other explanation.

I have never played any of the sequels because the original was too painful for me to ever consider investing in what would likely be more of the same.

Well, at least it had killer graphics...

Which is a pre-req for all RPGs, mir?

First of all, this belongs in general gaming, as Myst does not even resemble anything that could reasonably be mistaken for an RPG.

Seeing as no one else called me out on it I guess it could be mistaken? Meh, people talk about adventure games in this section all the time anyway, but if someone wants to move it, go ahead.


Aside from that, I love adventure games of pretty much all types. I've played them for as long as I can remember. Myst is not among the best of them. Not by a long shot. Random clicking, completely stationary environments, absurd puzzles that are almost impossible to spot, much less solve through the use of logic instead of trial and error or by consulting a walkthrough... These are not the marks of quality. I just don't get where the love for Myst comes from. Maybe because it was the first adventure game a lot of people played? I can't see any other explanation.

Then I must be a genius for beating the other three without a walkthrough. No, really. And as for your point about solving puzzles with the use of logic instead of trial and error, and the fact that you're basing this based on the first game alone. I don't remember one puzzle that the only way to solve it was by trial and error. I'd like to see you name one, because as far as I remember there was always an in-game hint. Never was there an instance that the only way to solve it was just trying every combination. Try naming some.

And it also was not my first adventure game. But anyway, the sequels are definitely a lot better in the "logic" factor, and while the first does have a lot, it really is nothing compared to the last three and if you ARE looking for one with puzzles that involve logic then this is the series. I'm assuming you used a walkthrough? Well, the walkthrough you used probably told you the solutions to the seemingly trial-and-error puzzles without telling you how exactly to get to them.


I have never played any of the sequels because the original was too painful for me to ever consider investing in what would likely be more of the same.

I already said above what I would have said here.

The problem is, most people have only played the first. And even if they said that they LIKED the first, I would still go as far say they're missing out. Like doomjockey, for instance.
I know you consider yourself one of the harshest critics on the planet and saying this would probably be pointless, but I strongly urge you to play Riven, without a walkthrough. I did say this game is not for everyone, but if you really are looking for what you described above then this would be an awesome game. The first one really is a joke compared to the other four. Except maybe the last which was rather mediocre.

EDIT: And the first Myst did not have killer graphics. The sequels did. But anyways yeah it is a pre-req for all RPGs.

But, the acting in Myst III Exile is not something you see in a lot of games. Usually they're just lifeless like all the Jap-RPG American voice actors.

Seeing as no one else called me out on it I guess it could be mistaken? Meh, people talk about adventure games in this section all the time anyway, but if someone wants to move it, go ahead.

They're morons and I call them on it also.


Then I must be a genius for beating the other three without a walkthrough. No, really. And as for your point about solving puzzles with the use of logic instead of trial and error, and the fact that you're basing this based on the first game alone. I don't remember one puzzle that the only way to solve it was by trial and error. I'd like to see you name one, because as far as I remember there was always an in-game hint. Never was there an instance that the only way to solve it was just trying every combination. Try naming some.

Remember the puzzle on the spaceship with the musical notes? I think it's safe to rest my case there.


And it also was not my first adventure game. But anyway, the sequels are definitely a lot better in the "logic" factor, and while the first does have a lot, it really is nothing compared to the last three and if you ARE looking for one with puzzles that involve logic then this is the series. I'm assuming you used a walkthrough? Well, the walkthrough you used probably told you the solutions to the seemingly trial-and-error puzzles without telling you how exactly to get to them.

I played Myst well before I knew what a walkthrough was, thank you kindly. I never relied on one to complete an adventure game, and do not intend to in the future.


I already said above what I would have said here.

The problem is, most people have only played the first. And even if they said that they LIKED the first, I would still go as far say they're missing out. Like doomjockey, for instance.

EDIT: And the first Myst did not have killer graphics. The sequels did. But anyways yeah it is a pre-req for all RPGs.

There's really nothing to say in response to this quote, so I'll just take the opportunity to tell you you're being idiotic by constantly dragging the other games into it when I'm ONLY talking about the original game (especially that comment about how you must be a genius for beating them without walkthroughs when they were never the focus of my comment), and made it very clear that I have not so much as touched the sequels.

I don't have anything at all against anyone liking the game. Far from it. It was an ambitious project (something I respect) that just happened to shoot itself in the foot with some truly absurd puzzles that completely killed the fun of the ingenious ones for me. All I'm saying is that while it may have its appeal, it's not the timeless classic some people hype it to be.

I played a Myst game once and fell asleep within about 5 minutes of play, just soo boring.

Myst is a point and click adventure game, not an RPG.

With that said, I could never get into the Myst games, it moved too slow for my taste. Yes it looked beautiful and sounded beautiful, but just too slow.

They're morons and I call them on it also.



Remember the puzzle on the spaceship with the musical notes? I think it's safe to rest my case there.


It would be, except there was a book in the library clearly stating the order. Unless you're referring to getting the switches on the right note, well I guess some people have perfect pitch enough to be able to listen to each one only once. Any more?



I played Myst well before I knew what a walkthrough was, thank you kindly. I never relied on one to complete an adventure game, and do not intend to in the future.


Okay, sorry misunderstanding, let's move on...

But to be honest, I just put two and two together when you said something about it being near impossible without consulting a walkthrough, and you beat it, and naturally if the same person says those two things one would assume they used one. But whatever...



There's really nothing to say in response to this quote, so I'll just take the opportunity to tell you you're being idiotic by constantly dragging the other games into it when I'm ONLY talking about the original game (especially that comment about how you must be a genius for beating them without walkthroughs when they were never the focus of my comment), and made it very clear that I have not so much as touched the sequels.

I don't have anything at all against anyone liking the game. Far from it. It was an ambitious project (something I respect) that just happened to shoot itself in the foot with some truly absurd puzzles that completely killed the fun of the ingenious ones for me. All I'm saying is that while it may have its appeal, it's not the timeless classic some people hype it to be.

Fair enough. I've actually never heard of it being hyped up until now, I always thought it was a cult game. I've never met anyone in real life who was interested in it besides my sister and myself and my ex girlfriend.

All I really have left to say is, from what it sounds like, I'm sure you won't regret playing the sequels if you do get around to it. AND I know that is assuming a lot when I'm referring to you.

I can't totally agree or disagree on the matter of difficulty as I owned the guide before I even had a PC. However, I just bought Riven for about $5 and am eager to continue my adventures through Myst lore. Thanks for the review stuff Zak.

I just remembered one thing about Myst that doesn't pertain to any of the sequels, and that's the fact that it can technically be beaten within five minutes once you've already played it. (spoiler if you haven't beaten the first Myst) Once you know how to open the vault (which is the same method every game, and the bridge requirement for the clock tower is also always the same) and which pattern to put in the fireplace (which is always the same one), you can just start a game, get the vault open and grab the page, then head for the fireplace and input the pattern, use the green book, and the game's over! Thus, no need to even visit any of the ages.

Also, another flaw in the first one. I don't know if anyone went out of their way to test this. But anyway, seemingly each time you bring one of the brothers a page their message becomes clearer and when they have a certain amount of pages, they become free, right? WRONG.

The red and blue pages behind the fireplace actually automatically free each brother alone, no matter how many pages they already have. They make you think that they become free after six pages. But, the game made it so that the fireplace ones are the key to freeing them, not a sixth page. Try going into the fireplace and inputting the pattern and bringing those pages alone. I guess they assume that it'll be the sixth one since you need five in order for them to tell you what pattern. But if you already KNOW the pattern, you can go straight to the fireplace, and the ones you usually get last you'd get early. But the game is made to assume you got it last, therefore it's those specific pages alone that free them. Hah, so they could have just yelled the pattern number after the first page if they wanted out so bad.

The sequels do not have either of these flaws. They're more logical as the game can be enjoyed on more than one playthrough. With the first Myst, after one playthrough you already have the solutions you can execute at the start, so no purpose in playing any more unless you're hunting for easter eggs.

Anyway doomjockey, enjoy it... I look forward to a review soon!

Ok, so I've been playing Riven a bit and here are some thoughts.

This was an interesting play for me since I went into this game without having first read a strategy guide of any kind unlike my time with Myst. Firstly, I'll say that getting it to run on Vista was a complete bitch. Took about two hours time just to get it to run without irregularities or random program crashes, but I don't hold that against a game orignally developed to run on Windows 95 with now archaic versions of Quicktime.

Once I got into the game, I was immediately forced to think critically, which is great provided you're ready to expend some serious brain power. Like Myst, I found that there are (usually) no obvious clues as to how to solve the many mysteries of the islands, only what you observe. This is what I love about the game. I don't think the puzzles are too hard or vague or illogical so long as you're not averse to frequent bouts of deductive reasoning. It's gaming (and arguably thinking) on a totally different level than what many are used to.

At this point I can admit it might not be the typical gamer's cup of tea. And I can see how a seemingly complex task such as deciphering Riven's number system might overwhelm those who try. Certainly, it can be frustrating at times like trying to solve a difficult equation where you have to supply your own variables. But in the end, you realize the game will ALWAYS supply you with the clues you need, even if they aren't readily apparent.

So yeah, I like it so far. I like it a lot. And I'll probably look into the next instalment after I complete this one.

I agree....Myst was quite a boring title.

I'm sure it is a greatly developed and deep adventure, but I just couldn't get into it.

Ok, so I've been playing Riven a bit and here are some thoughts.

This was an interesting play for me since I went into this game without having first read a strategy guide of any kind unlike my time with Myst. Firstly, I'll say that getting it to run on Vista was a complete bitch. Took about two hours time just to get it to run without irregularities or random program crashes, but I don't hold that against a game orignally developed to run on Windows 95 with now archaic versions of Quicktime.

Once I got into the game, I was immediately forced to think critically, which is great provided you're ready to expend some serious brain power. Like Myst, I found that there are (usually) no obvious clues as to how to solve the many mysteries of the islands, only what you observe. This is what I love about the game. I don't think the puzzles are too hard or vague or illogical so long as you're not averse to frequent bouts of deductive reasoning. It's gaming (and arguably thinking) on a totally different level than what many are used to.

At this point I can admit it might not be the typical gamer's cup of tea. And I can see how a seemingly complex task such as deciphering Riven's number system might overwhelm those who try. Certainly, it can be frustrating at times like trying to solve a difficult equation where you have to supply your own variables. But in the end, you realize the game will ALWAYS supply you with the clues you need, even if they aren't readily apparent.

So yeah, I like it so far. I like it a lot. And I'll probably look into the next instalment after I complete this one.

How DID you get it to run on Vista? I have Vista and I play it on a different computer after I gave up trying to run it.

Well, I probably complicated it more than I needed trying to run it on a multiple monitor setup. Anyway, Google gave up a few workarounds, none of which worked for me. The main game breaker for me a was Riven's inability to work with the newer versions of Quicktime. So I had to uninstall the new QT and replace it with v3.0 to get it running at all. Setting the executable to run as administrator, in Win 95 compatibility, in 640x480 helped eliminate the infrequent crashes and get the damn app centred to one monitor finally. Another annoying thing is the UAC blocked my freaking save games saving to the default Program Files directory, but that was more easily remedied by saving to a less guarded folder.

Coincidentally, all that misery got my brain good and ready to tackle Riven's puzzles.