Myst V: End of Ages

The Good
Now that I've played all of the Myst games, I can look back and realize that each one was a marvel. The story put before us was indeed a great one. All of the characters came to life in the telling of it and End of Ages' conclusion will stay with players for years to come. In fact, now I want to read all of the Myst books that Rand Miller has written so that I can relive the whole story.

In this game, you play the anonymous "friend" of the family as you have in the past. You begin in the D'ni room in which Atrus was imprisoned because pages were torn from the book linking to Myst island. One door is unlocked and you find your way down a elaborately decorated passage to the ground floor. It is then that you meet an apparition of Yeesha, daughter of Atrus and Catherine. She is quite a bit older than the last time you saw her (in Myst 4). She speaks of an all-powerful tablet divided into pieces that must be joined together. She also tells you of an important decision you must make when the tablet is whole again. Thus, finding those 4 pieces is the essence of your quest and, along the way, you will also piece together enough information to make the proper decision to restore D'ni and its people.

Your journey will encompass 4 distinct ages, each one with different terrain, structures and puzzles. You will visit an age of ice and snow, one in outer space, a tropical island world and an age of sand and rock. Reach them by finding the linking book to a "limbo" area and then by touching pedestals that are enclosed in translucent bubbles. You can return to the in-between gardens at any time you wish.

You will meet strange little creatures called the Bahro and learn how to communicate with them in an odd way. You'll be drawing symbols on carry-along tablet pieces and placing them on the ground for the Bahro to find. If you've drawn the correct symbol, your "command" will be carried out. Many times the drawings you make are the last part of a puzzle that you must complete.

I had read that the puzzles were not as hard in this final episode. Not True! I thought they were pretty darned complicated, with clues that evaded my understanding in many instances. I must admit becoming impatient and needing the help of a "guide" often. When all is said and done, though, the puzzles were integrated into the story very well and seemed natural for worlds that were long forgotten.

It goes without saying that the graphics are beautiful and the soundtrack mesmerizing. The way in which the character faces are done using the capture of real faces, and the ways they move are wonderful! Voice acting in the English version is exceptionally good.

The interface is an easy point and click, but you do have the option to use the keyboard instead. You can use the "classic" method or one that allows for more looking around, which I liked best. There's no inventory (except for the tablet piece which stays in front of you when you have it). Saving games is done by taking a snapshot. When you exit the game, your place is saved automatically for when you return.

When you have a completed Tablet, you'll get one of three possible endings depending upon whom you give it to. Only one decision will save the D'ni. If you made the wrong choice, continuing the game will put you back before your decision so you can try again.

The Bad
Supposedly the Bahro were set free in one of the Uru episodes, but I didn't remember them and felt a bit confused in not knowing. I wish there had been more background story about them and how they related to the D'ni.

The Bottom Line
I loved End of Ages and will probably play it again sometime in the future.

It's sad knowing that this is the final chapter of Myst. This game DOES close the story well, but it still left me thirsty for more. I would have liked to see the rebirth of the D'ni on-screen, for instance. Now that Cyan Worlds is reorganizing, I look forward to what new stories will come from them.