


Myst, by Panasonic Software
3DO version, 1 player
Myst is proof positive that someone, somewhere in the video gaming industry has some sense of poetry and story. When Myst came out it became a rather unexpected best seller. And after playing the game, it's not hard to see why. 
	In an industry where everything seems to either be a Doom clone or another fighting game, Myst brought something that hasn't been seen since... well, almost never. Aside from the beautiful, photographic like graphics and moody atmospheric sounds, Myst has something more then just presentation. It has style, substance and a deep, thoughtful storyline. Myst also has truly logical solutions to it's puzzles.
	More then anything I have ever seen in this new medium of CD-ROM, Myst is truly interactive literature. Edutainment for older gamers, if you will. The story revolves around solving the mysteries of the now dead realms of the land of Myst. The realms are accessed by magical books which are the pivotal aspect to the game. You must traverse through five vastly different landscapes solving puzzles that will lead you to revealing what really happened in Myst. 
	The game is played from a first person perspective, but Myst doesn't scroll like traditional computer RPGs. Instead the game updates the screen- almost like a slide show. The screens however are never lifeless. There is always something to see, sounds to listen to and little touches that make the game seem almost real. The superb graphics really draw the player into the world of Myst and the storyline and puzzles keep you there. The box calls Myst," The Surrealistic Adventure that will become your World." While I wouldn't go that far about it's addictiveness, I certainly let an afternoon or two go by unknowingly while playing.
	Myst is not for everyone, of course. The lack of true scrolling will likely turn some off and those who feel that Doom has all the substance they need in life will probably find Myst a little too much of a muscle relaxant. Some of the puzzles can be tough at times and many require a good deal of thought, creativity and exploration to solve. Fortunately, Myst's puzzles were designed sensibly and logically. And while there are plenty of little things to see and play with, Myst doesn't bog you down with obnoxious red herrings.
	The game has a few problems, though. The main complaint being that the control pad is sometimes less then accurate when clicking on buttons that are close together. It can get annoying when you keep accidentally clicking on the button right above the one you wanted. The soon to be released mouse is supported, however, which should improve control. Also, you don't have an inventory in the game. In Myst, the player can only really hold one item at a time, which gamers used to traditional RPGs will likely find a bit annoying.
	Myst is more of a puzzle game then an RPG, anyway. The game is really just a series of graphic and sound based puzzles that, once solved, lead to the next magic book. And overall, I found virtually all the puzzles in Myst to be pretty easy- things fall into place once you understand how to approach the problems the game throws your way. Of course, as most Myst lovers will tell you, the exploration of the Myst realms is really where the game's play value comes from.
	Unlike most traditional games, Myst is a totally non-threatening experience up until the very end. In Myst, you can't die and you can't make an irreversible mistake. Indeed, in Myst trial and error and exploration are not only condoned, but essential to understanding the strange mechanized wonders of the realm. Up until the very end, anyway. There's no combat or monsters in Myst and the only treasure to be gained in the game are the books.
	I did find the end of the game to be a little too open ended. On the 3DO, there are a number of games that blatantly lead into a sequel- Out of the World, Flashback, Shock Wave and now Myst- and unfortunately, with the exception of ShockWave, sequels are nowhere in sight for the 3DO. Indeed, I haven't even heard of an announcement for the Myst sequel on PC yet. Not that this criticism should dissuade you from playing through- not by any means at all. I just wish that a few more loose ends could have been tied up( I'd especially like to know how I arrived in Myst in the first place.).
	Without a doubt, Myst is a terrific game. The stunning graphics, atmospheric sounds( or lack of), intriguing storyline and logical puzzles all add up to one of the finest examples of what can be done on the CD medium. This game is original and totally involving. On the 3DO, Myst is also in a class by itself. If you're in the mood for something different and mysterious that won't knot you trigger fingers up from frantic mindless action, try Myst and prepare to be immersed in something magical.
