"MYST - awesome graphcs and a neat MYSTery"

If you love awesome graphics, a perplexing mystery and a sound track that can really creep you out sometimes, Myst is for you! You start out on the island of Myst where Atrus, his wife and his sons, Sirrus and Achenar, once lived. Atrus an author wrote and read many books that he kept in his treasured library. But some one burned this library and Atrus thinks it may have been one of his sons. You must find blue and red “pages” scattered throughout the land of Myst to complete messages from both Sirrus and Achenar that will help tell you who committed this heinous crime. Once you have found all the pages you must decide who arbitrated the arson. If you are wrong you must start over finding all the pages again, but if you are correct you will have solved the mystery of Myst.

GAMEPLAY: 8/10
To beat Myst you must be very observant. You need to look all around you for clues needed to advance to different worlds. These clues are sometimes hard to find and it can become aggravating when you not see them. Often in bouts of frustration I use trial and error to try to advance to different worlds when I can not find the necessary clues. But when you do advance to a new world the possible hardships you may have encountered seem amazingly worthwhile.

Because of the reasons listed in the GAMEPLAY section, I give Myst a CHALLENGE rating of 9/10, very challenging.

GRAPHICS: 8/10
When it came out, Myst had the best graphics the computer gaming world had seen. That was seven years ago. Myst’s graphics are still amazing real and ahead of the computer graphics pack. The different worlds seem as if they actually exist instead of being the computer generated. Amazingly the worlds are computer generated and the brainchild of a brilliant team of computer game programmers. Though the game might be disliked by some who think the worlds seem overly fake because of the choppy movement, the intense graphics make up for this by their reality.

SOUND: 10/10
The sound on Myst is very lifelike. Whenever you “touch” something there is a very realistic sound. Also, there is an awesome soundtrack. This neat music adds to the mysterious isle of Myst.

BUY OR RENT: BUY
Overall, Myst is a great game for anyone who enjoys games which can be beaten not only with fast thumb movement, but by using other parts of the body (i.e. the brain). The game is also perfect for science fiction buffs who will enjoy the game’s surreal setting. This game has already stood the test of time and will hopefully enjoy a long run on the shelves of computer game stores. Buy this game folks and keep it as you will enjoy playing it, and playing it and playing it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 12/05/00, Updated 12/05/00