Myst

Myst was revolutionary for its time. In 1993 most people who had a computer did not have a computer that could handle more than 20 megabytes of RAM. So video game programmers didn't have much to work with, unlike today. Myst was revolutionary because it had the best sound and music of any game before. It also had the best visuals ever seen. I played the original version of Myst and was originally frustrated and confused. The original version doesn't give you any explanation of the storyline and just throws you into it. This was hard for people with short attention spans but great for people who love solving puzzles. The story slowly unravels and eventually you start to put the pieces together. Unlike other click and point adventures, this one is clever and has an original feel to it. You feel like you are truly in a different world. Myst isn't for everyone. If you only like games full of action and that are fast paced, this isn't a game for you. Even the re-releases of this game won't change that. I have also played Real Myst which was definitely refreshing, but still not the type of game that Doom fans would normally love. Real Myst did, however, do a better job of tying into Riven. It also contains an extra age not shown in the original Myst and explains more of the history of Atrus's family. I recommend the Myst series of games to anyone who likes a good story, likes solving mysteries, and who is patient.

You really do get the feel of absolute abandon and isolation while playing Myst. The graphics may be rather dated now (especially compared to the modern graphics in Uru and Myst IV) but it's easy to get immersed in the quiet, lonely environment and believe your actually there. The sound effects and music are slight and subtle rather than overbearing like in other video games.

Since Myst the franchise has indeed developed and evolved. People still tend to think of them and point and click slide shows. Which isn't very fair. Yes, Myst is this way, though it was made 11 years ago and graphic cards back then were not the frontiers of technology they are today.

A lot of patience and intelligence is needed to solve the puzzles and put the clues together. A lot of reading and note-taking is required and those looking for shoot-em-ups and violence should look elsewhere.

Myst is, indeed, a game for the refined gamer.

Myst is an awesome game, whether you play the original or the 3D version. For a long time, Myst was the number one selling game of all time (may still be) - and it deserved it. When it came out, there had been NOTHING to compare - the graphics, the integration of the puzzles, the AWESOME use of sound.

Play this game with in a dark room with a LARGE monitor and a 5.1 surround speaker system (if possible) - and it will take you to a different world! You need to use your ears as well as your eyes to make your way through the Ages of Myst and the music is great, so a good sound system is really recommended. Good headphones will work. I recommend getting your hands on a 17" TFT (Flat Screen LED) monitor, and playing with the monitor about 12" away from your face, so that the screen subtends nearly your whole field of vision. You are going to WANT to get IN to this game! Of course, a 21" (or better) CRT works great - but you don't want to stick it so close to your face!

Be patient! Wander around - think about EVERYTHING you see or hear. Look for information in one place that might be useful in another place. This is a difficult game - but it is worth the time, and besides - the Ages of Myst are so beautiful that there is no reason to be in a hurry.

This is NOT an action game, not a shoot `em up, not even a role-playing (RPG) game. You won't be increasing your Mana, fighting fell demons or gathering loot. You WILL be making your way through the most incredibly GORGEOUS and REAL gaming worlds ever.

Myst is great, Riven (the sequel) is GREAT, and Myst III - Exile is REALLY REALLY GREAT. Take your time playing these games. If you get totally stuck, there are "walk-thrus" available on CNET or GameSpot. Don't use hints or walk-thrus except as a last resort - enjoy your time in these worlds - the puzzles ALL have some logic to them (although there is some maze running).

If you are interested in learning more about the Ages of Myst, there are multiple Myst novels available - but play Myst first!

There are very experiences in this world that are completely original. In terms of adventure PC gaming, however, "Myst" is utterly without equal and (if you are the right kind of person) will quickly become one of the most endearing experiences of all your entertainment pastimes.

Before "Myst", computer gaming usually was in the form of either first-person shooters ("Wolfenstein"), adventures aimed more towards children ("Kings Quest"), and the tons and tons of shareware/pong/simulator games that flooded the market in the early-to-mid 1990s. In "Myst", though, gamers are simple dropped into an environment where little to no information is given to them, thus requiring much exploring and a logical mind to determine not only the overall point of the game, but also how all the levers and puzzles work in conjunction with each other.

For a basic plot summary, you ("the Stranger") suddenly appear in a universe where a man named Atrus can pen books that actually spring to life. However, many of his worlds are dying/unstable and you must determine the cause. Is it Atrus himself who has gone mad and imprisoned his sons in his own prison books, or are the sons locked away for good reason? The "Stranger" must explore a series of five islands and piece together the mystery one puzzle and logical deduction at a time.

This Myst series is not for everyone, by any means. If you are a bit lacking in patience and want a lot of action, this is not the game for you. It can get a bit tedious at times and one has to resist (especially nowadays when walk-throughs are available with a few mouse clicks) the urge to look up hints all the time (as that truly destroys the beauty of the experience), so if you want to be blasting baddies or wreaking war/havoc, look elsewhere are the risk of severe disappointment.

For those who really appreciate this kind of "thinking-person's" game, "Myst" is unrivaled (and I have tried MANY of its subsequent clones) in the industry because of its riveting storyline. A lot of other games have tried to duplicate the "puzzling" style of "Myst", but only "Myst" has been able to successfully capture the emotion of compelling characters that never seem to get old.

Overall, I consider "Myst" to be one of my all-time favorite PC games because of its groundbreaking intuitive style. In hindsight, at least two of its sequels surpass this original, but "Myst" is always special because it set the groundwork for the master series. If you want your brain/wits to be more involved in a PC game than your trigger finger, then I strongly recommend "Myst" if you haven't tried it to this point. If you can let yourself become immersed in its worlds, you will get hooked!

Myst engrosses you the instant you start playing.

If you read the background story, you will find that you were reading a book, then touched a realistic page showing an island and you were instantly transported to the island. The island is Myst.

The only thing you can do is explore and solve any puzzles you can. It proves to be rather difficult, however, once you get to certain places like the Mechanical Age or the Selenetic Age.

The plot is original, as you learn what happened before your arrival as you progress through the game. Reminds me of another game, The Neverhood.

There is no action, no killing, just puzzles and a deep storyline.

The huge downside to this game is its near-impossible puzzles. For instance, the underground vehicle in the Selenitic Age. It is impossible to figure it out on your own! Somehow the answer is found in another age, and unfortunately a lot of the puzzles are unsolvable like this. The frustration included within this game really hurts its reputation.

I'd suggest playing this all the way through only if you're extremely committed to spending lots of time with it.