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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Adventure Developer: Hoplite Research, LLC Publisher: Empire Interactive |
games of the decade. The game continued to hold that title until “The Sims” was released in 2000. The game has gone on to produce
a franchise consisting to several sequels, spin-offs, remakes and more, including comic books and novels. The latest installment of
the series brings back the original title to the Nintendo DS in the hopes that with the help of the DS stylus, the game will be more user
friendly than before. Also, the new game boasts a large amount of new source code, a new Age in which players can play through and
much more. However, is it worth the time or money to buy and play something that has already been released?
Even after fourteen years, “Myst” continues to have a massive cult following thanks to the unique game play that is offered and the
atmosphere that players enter. However, despite the fact that there is a cult following to the game, there is a definite love-hate
relationship between gamers and the game, especially now that it has been released on yet another platform. Most of this comes from
the fact that the elements that draw in most of the gamers that enjoy the game, are also the same elements that push other gamers
away from the game. The problem is that “Myst” is such a unique game, many gamers don’t know how to best approach and play the
game as a whole, as a result many people will never even give the game a chance, but for those that do, a great experience is waiting.
Also, many who start the game are more than likely never going to finish it, but that is part of the beauty of the game, something that is
so easy to play yet so difficult to complete. It is a perfect dream game for many gamers.
For those who have never experienced the world of “Myst,” it is time to take a step back and give a brief introduction. The game begins
with a brief introduction which explains that an unnamed stranger (you) has come across a book titled “Myst.” After reading the book,
the stranger is transported away to another world that is just like the world described in the book. It is at this point, with very little
instructions or back-story that players begin their adventure and exploration of the mysterious world of Myst. Players eventually stumble
across a very vague letter that gives a hint about what has happened and what actions should be taken next. This starts a complex
chain of events that provide players more insight into the world and its mysteries.
The game itself is very interesting because of the fact that it doesn’t work like most other games of today. Players will be looking at
mostly static images. Interaction with the world is handled through the use of the touch-screen on the DS and its stylus. However,
while this should have been the perfect way to move a point-and-click adventure game to the Nintendo DS, there are of course some
problems. First, when players explore new areas, it is very important that every object on the screen is examined closely for any
possible clues. In the original game the cursor would change whenever it went over a useful object, but with the stylus, the task
becomes more difficult. Also, certain elements of the game seem to have a problem with detecting the touch-screen on the first
attempt, making the game difficult and frustrating at times. This alone could turn many gamers away from trying this game.
Many people have to go into this game knowing that it isn’t necessarily about the game, but about the experience that the player goes
through while playing the game. Players need to constantly be observant to everything around them in the game, and make sure that
they don’t miss any clues. The game also offers many audio-based clues, making the game an experience that requires a gamer’s full
attention at all times while playing. Despite the fact that the DS version of this game offers improved sound and video, they both leave
the player wanting more, especially since it is all too reminiscent of the original game, they do little to show a change between now and
fourteen years ago. Also, the fact that the game is being played on a smaller screen is never addressed and never offers players with a
magnifying option to help find clues.
Overall, even with the addition of the new Age to play through, the Nintendo DS version of “Myst” is not a great version to be introduced to
the game with. However, for those that have played the game for several years, this new version offers experienced gamers a chance to
play the game in a new and more challenging way, even if the challenges weren’t intentional, such as the touch detection. The note-
taking function on the game is very useful, until the game is turned off and all the notes taken are deleted. This means that gamers will
have to make sure that they always have a pen and paper handy for any notes that need to be taken, yet another challenge for
experienced gamers. For those fans of the series, this is a fun and portable way to play the game, but for those just being introduced to
the game; a computer version of the game may be a better route to take.
a franchise consisting to several sequels, spin-offs, remakes and more, including comic books and novels. The latest installment of
the series brings back the original title to the Nintendo DS in the hopes that with the help of the DS stylus, the game will be more user
friendly than before. Also, the new game boasts a large amount of new source code, a new Age in which players can play through and
much more. However, is it worth the time or money to buy and play something that has already been released?
Even after fourteen years, “Myst” continues to have a massive cult following thanks to the unique game play that is offered and the
atmosphere that players enter. However, despite the fact that there is a cult following to the game, there is a definite love-hate
relationship between gamers and the game, especially now that it has been released on yet another platform. Most of this comes from
the fact that the elements that draw in most of the gamers that enjoy the game, are also the same elements that push other gamers
away from the game. The problem is that “Myst” is such a unique game, many gamers don’t know how to best approach and play the
game as a whole, as a result many people will never even give the game a chance, but for those that do, a great experience is waiting.
Also, many who start the game are more than likely never going to finish it, but that is part of the beauty of the game, something that is
so easy to play yet so difficult to complete. It is a perfect dream game for many gamers.
For those who have never experienced the world of “Myst,” it is time to take a step back and give a brief introduction. The game begins
with a brief introduction which explains that an unnamed stranger (you) has come across a book titled “Myst.” After reading the book,
the stranger is transported away to another world that is just like the world described in the book. It is at this point, with very little
instructions or back-story that players begin their adventure and exploration of the mysterious world of Myst. Players eventually stumble
across a very vague letter that gives a hint about what has happened and what actions should be taken next. This starts a complex
chain of events that provide players more insight into the world and its mysteries.
The game itself is very interesting because of the fact that it doesn’t work like most other games of today. Players will be looking at
mostly static images. Interaction with the world is handled through the use of the touch-screen on the DS and its stylus. However,
while this should have been the perfect way to move a point-and-click adventure game to the Nintendo DS, there are of course some
problems. First, when players explore new areas, it is very important that every object on the screen is examined closely for any
possible clues. In the original game the cursor would change whenever it went over a useful object, but with the stylus, the task
becomes more difficult. Also, certain elements of the game seem to have a problem with detecting the touch-screen on the first
attempt, making the game difficult and frustrating at times. This alone could turn many gamers away from trying this game.
Many people have to go into this game knowing that it isn’t necessarily about the game, but about the experience that the player goes
through while playing the game. Players need to constantly be observant to everything around them in the game, and make sure that
they don’t miss any clues. The game also offers many audio-based clues, making the game an experience that requires a gamer’s full
attention at all times while playing. Despite the fact that the DS version of this game offers improved sound and video, they both leave
the player wanting more, especially since it is all too reminiscent of the original game, they do little to show a change between now and
fourteen years ago. Also, the fact that the game is being played on a smaller screen is never addressed and never offers players with a
magnifying option to help find clues.
Overall, even with the addition of the new Age to play through, the Nintendo DS version of “Myst” is not a great version to be introduced to
the game with. However, for those that have played the game for several years, this new version offers experienced gamers a chance to
play the game in a new and more challenging way, even if the challenges weren’t intentional, such as the touch detection. The note-
taking function on the game is very useful, until the game is turned off and all the notes taken are deleted. This means that gamers will
have to make sure that they always have a pen and paper handy for any notes that need to be taken, yet another challenge for
experienced gamers. For those fans of the series, this is a fun and portable way to play the game, but for those just being introduced to
the game; a computer version of the game may be a better route to take.
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