It's
been over a decade since the original Myst game debuted
and changed the face of computer gaming forever. Like
Doom, Myst, is the consummate game of its genre, the
one that has inspired countless imitations and variations.
It's the game that others are compared to. Therefore
it's only natural that all sequels in the Myst series
are held to a higher level of standard. Thankfully
the developers are well aware of that fact and have
once again risen to occasion to provide fans with
a great new adventure game that does the Myst name
proud.
Myst
IV Revelation couldn't be easier to navigate. Using
the mouse, all you have to do is point and click to
move in any direction or interact with any variety
of objects or menus. That doesn't mean that Revelations
is an easy game to play, far from it. It's a puzzle-heavy
beast that is guaranteed to frustrate MENSA members.
Even the most puzzle savvy of gamers will be tempted
to cry uncle at some point. But don't let that scare
you away big boy. The puzzles have somewhat of a logical
base to them, and there are clues everywhere - but
you have to look for them.
Following
the same concept as the original game, you play from
a first-person perspective as you explore a variety
of incredible worlds. These worlds are referred to
in the game as Ages. They are like pages in a book,
created by the principal character, Atrus. Although
these wondrous lands are not in 3D they are interactive
and absolutely breathtaking to behold. The original
Myst was renowned not only for the gameplay but for
the imaginative graphics as well. Each frame looks
like a postcard from another planet. Some of the locations
are lush tropical paradises while others are dark,
brooding lands full of strange creatures. Most of
the Ages are void of human inhabitants so there is
an element of loneliness that accompanies you on your
journey. In a way that's a good thing because you
won't have anything to distract you from keeping your
mind on solving the puzzles.
In
keeping with the adventure premise you are never forced
into any particular direction although you will be
unable to progress to certain areas until you solve
one of the numerous puzzles that confront you. The
sense of freedom to explore makes the game feel more
personal. There is little in the way of contact with
other characters except for notes, journals and ancient
iconic symbols. This tends to add an air of relaxation
to the pace of the game since you don't have a bunch
of people scurrying about waiting for you to stop
the world from impending doom.
What
you're doing here is never really fully explained
until later in the game. You have to unravel the story
which coincides with exploring the Ages and solving
the puzzles. There are some live cutscenes which feature
real actors playing Atrus and his bad-ass offsprings.
In an effort to alleviate some of the alienation,
a new feature has been added in the way of an amulet
that reveals scenes from the past. You'll be able
to witness some of the important events that took
place in certain areas. These episodes not only help
bring the Ages to life but they provide clues to the
puzzles and further the storyline.
Another
interesting addition is the ability to take snapshots
of the various locations. This will enable you to
keep a visual record of all the unique places that
you encounter, especially cryptic icons and structures.
You can refer back to these images to help you with
future puzzles.
The
puzzles are designed with multiple layers. You have
to think ahead since every action elicits a reaction.
There is a help menu that will give you varying degrees
of clues to help you when you're stuck. I spent a
lot of time here I can assure you. It's not because
I'm an idiot, It's just that I was in a rush to complete
this game to review it. I don't recommend rushing.
Take your time and enjoy the challenge but don't feel
stupid if you have to go for help.
The
graphics will whisk you away to another place and
another time. The landscapes may be alien to our eyes
but they resonate with realism within our souls. The
music contains a lot of organic, orchestral sounds
which add another awe-inspiring dimension. Don't expect
any searing lead guitar solos. The voiceacting is
generally good and it's nice to see some live actors
for a change. They really get into the role.
One
must appreciate the nuances of such a game. This is
a perfect alternative to curling up with a good book
on a stormy night - although the storm could last
for weeks.
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