Myst

The Good
When this was released, it was not like other point and click adventures such as Monkey Island and Maniac Mansion, but a first-person view game so that YOU become the protagonist. This makes it fresh and unlike anything else. Instead of fighting baddies you are totally alone on this island and you have to find clues to discover what happened and solve puzzles to progress. This way the (brilliant) story slowly unfolds. Therefore if you are an action gamer stop reading otherwise read on. You'll soon find out that there are two brothers called Sirrus and Achenar trapped in books and you need to free them but they but both blame each other for being a liar so who's right and what about Atrus and Catherine, their parents? That's for you to find out. You need to travel to all the different ages (worlds) of Myst by finding the linking books in which these worlds are described and retrieve the pages torn from the books to take them back to the library. In each age a blue (Sirrus) and red (Achenar) page is hidden and a linking book back to Myst. The puzzles are challenging and fun (you may find them too difficult at times, though) but if you concentrate on them and think logically and look for relations between things you'll find the solution eventually. You need to explore everything to gain all clues and solve all puzzles. The game can be completed in different ways but only one is the correct one (That's up to you). The graphics are also surprisingly beautiful and combined with the realistic sounds it really gives you the feel of being alone on a deserted and surrealistic island.

The Bad
The puzzles may be a bit too hard as mentioned before so you may need a walkthrough at times.

The Bottom Line
If you like puzzling and exploring, this is for you. If not leave this!

The Good
In "The Curse of Monkey Island," Guybrush Threepwood speaks with a ferryman who's been lost in the mists for a long time now. Here's what Guybrush had to say about the boatman's experience:

"I like mist. I think it's pretty."

The Bad
The boatman's response to Guybrush's statement:

"Of course it's pretty, but egads, is it DULL!"

The Bottom Line
That conversation alone describes the game.

There's no story and no point to the game. There isn't even an ending. Your reward for finishing the game is to read all those freakin' books all over again. That's enough to make me want to put my foot through the monitor, but I'd rather just play frisbee with my dog using the CD.

The Good
First, the graphics and sounds were very realistic, even for today. Second, It gives you a great sense of mystery exploring the island and all the ages.

The Bad
The game is bleeping impossible! The puzzles are ridiculously difficult and obscure. You will randomly click around, hoping to push the secret button. Also, the story is practically non-existant and you will walk away saying "huh" if you don't read the book "Myst: The book of Atrus".

The Bottom Line
This game is ok if you are a fan of the book, but for those just wanting to sit down and play a game, you will be sorely disappointed.

The Good
Myst was one of the first games I ever played, back in 1997 when I was 6. Consequently, it had a great impact on my gaming tastes. At the time, graphics weren't greatly thrilling. Myst raised the standard to unparalleled heights and is more detailed than many of the games of our age. Though you may not realize it, the beauty of modern games owes its existence to the stunning landscapes of Myst. Myst was a great change from the slaughter-fest platform shooters and uninspiring hunting games that dominated the era, being about exploration and problem solving rather than grinding aliens into red paste with your chain gun that never runs out of bullets. To us modern gamers, point-and-click adventures sound... well, dull. But that goes to show that we have no taste. A simple method of locomotion makes more room for the beautiful graphics and fiendish puzzles that define the Myst franchise.

The Bad
I consider myself quite smart. So it's rare that I am completely stumped by anything. But clearly Rand Miller is a true genius, for even my fearsome intellect was humbled by his creation (though the puzzles didn't start getting truly insane until Riven). While this is technically a good thing, it pains me immensely to look up a walkthrough, even if just for one puzzle. Other than that, I can't think of anything.

The Bottom Line
Many people describe this game is being overly complicated or boring. To them I say; Philistines! Complication defines civilization. If nothing was complicated, life would be disgustingly boring. On that note, BORING! Saying Myst is boring is like saying that cake tastes bad, or that Survivor is interesting. And by that, I mean that anyone who says such blasphemy should fall on their own sword while shooting themselves in the head.