Ages of Myst

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful...
Review: ...but very, very hard.

I got this for my 19th birthday and only just got around to finishing them now. I don't know why it has taken me so long as I have always loved the Myst franchise.

Myst is a kind of cute game that is easy to get to grips with thanks to the simple gameplay. The puzzles may seem difficult at first but the soon become clear enough. Especially when compared to Riven. I mean, that game is sooo hard. Don't expect to rush through this one. It takes an enormous amount of time and patience to figure out the multiple clues and work out what everything means.

And why not? As you take your time to consider everything use this to soak up the gorgeous landscape and immerse yourself in the lonely, abandoned atmosphere the game creates.

What did bug me though is the fact that Riven is spread across 5 CDs (yes...five!!!) and you have to eject and change frequently through-out the game. It did really get on my nerves but Riven is over 6 years old now and Myst is 11 years old. So this is the reason the programming seems rather basic in comparison to today's more sophisticated games. Newer editions of Riven come on a single CD but this old box set is multi-disc.

The box set also comes with a 'Making of' featuring interviews with Robyn and Rand Miller on how Riven was created. A large notebook in the style of ancient D'ni literature is also included. I have yet to find a use for mine.

Rating:
Summary: I own this one and I like it
Review: great value, both games for one price plus some other reall cool stuff comes with the games.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most visually spectacular series available
Review: Myst and Riven together are two of the most visually spectacular computer games on the market. Both are puzzle games, which can sometimes be quite frustrating. With Myst though, it is just plain entertaining, even if you can't figure some parts out. Right now its at a great price to, so why not pick it up.

Rating:
Summary: I own this one and I like it
Review: There is enough review of Myst and Riven scattered around in Amazon, or in magazines. By now, you should have been told: GET THE GAME AND PLAY! We started with Riven, and then played Myst, which was a little more challenging because less natural. With Riven, it felt like we were living the game and that helped a lot. But regardless, you'll enjoy it (even if you have to ask for help because the puzzles are SOOOO CHALLENGING!). Riven has more of a unity (and such beauty!), while Myst is more of a patch. But they are both thoroughly enjoyable.

But among all the possible packaging, why this one?

What makes this edition special, in my humble opinion the best buy, is the cd ``The making of Riven'' that explains a few things about the making: it's awesome and very interesting. Also, you get a little booklet to take notes: we filled it up with our notes, read everything, wrote all the drawings, and that helped. We would never have done it (or reluctantly) had we not had the booklet provided in the package. Finally, the price is less than that of Myst and Riven combined, bought separately.

I relish my memory of playing the game and discovering the world of the Traveling Books. I wish I could forget it and play it again. Unfortunately, the experience is sooo vivid I probably will remember every detail in ten years. Since then, we've picked up a few great games of the same kind (Beyond Atlantis being the best so far), but the first time is always very special. And we are very happy we didn't use a walkthrough but took the time (one month!) to do it. It really enhanced our experience.

Rating:
Summary: Wow! The best buy for Myst and Riven!
Review: There is enough review of Myst and Riven scattered around in Amazon, or in magazines. By now, you should have been told: GET THE GAME AND PLAY! We started with Riven, and then played Myst, which was a little more challenging because less natural. With Riven, it felt like we were living the game and that helped a lot. But regardless, you'll enjoy it (even if you have to ask for help because the puzzles are SOOOO CHALLENGING!). Riven has more of a unity (and such beauty!), while Myst is more of a patch. But they are both thoroughly enjoyable.

But among all the possible packaging, why this one?

What makes this edition special, in my humble opinion the best buy, is the cd ``The making of Riven'' that explains a few things about the making: it's awesome and very interesting. Also, you get a little booklet to take notes: we filled it up with our notes, read everything, wrote all the drawings, and that helped. We would never have done it (or reluctantly) had we not had the booklet provided in the package. Finally, the price is less than that of Myst and Riven combined, bought separately.

I relish my memory of playing the game and discovering the world of the Traveling Books. I wish I could forget it and play it again. Unfortunately, the experience is sooo vivid I probably will remember every detail in ten years. Since then, we've picked up a few great games of the same kind (Beyond Atlantis being the best so far), but the first time is always very special. And we are very happy we didn't use a walkthrough but took the time (one month!) to do it. It really enhanced our experience.

Rating:
Summary: A Game For The Ones Who Love Puzzles
Review: These games are not for the weak of mind. You simply must have a strong mind and be able to think outside the box if you want to handle these games with no help. I enjoy playing these types of games with my little brother at my side, and it took us a week to beat Riven, and even then, he ended up buying the cheat guide. Myst we solved on our own, but the time committment was substantial. These games are great to do in little parts. Part here part there. Play it at the office or at home. Here are some details about each world(game). In Myst you begin to become a part of the game. You intuitively know that you need to look here or there. This game has HUGE levels. There is no correct order in which to do things, so, each game is different from the last one. This one has clues that are hidden, but solveable. In comparison, Riven is enthralling. With graphics that don't just make you think your going to another world, it makes you think you're there. You can tell the people at Cyan really put time into this game. In addition, having the journal to catalogue your adventures really helps. With Riven, the clues necesary to beat the game are much more heavily hidden. Things you think somehow match up together don't. And the things you think couldn't possibly work together, do. The plot is incredible. This game is not a game, it is another universe. It can not be played, it must be experienced. Young and old can play it, though the young might get tantrums from frustration, and the old, tantrums from frustration. Not frustration because it is a poorly constructed game, but because it is a hard puzzle, one you must take the challenge to solve. This game becomes a part of you. THIS GAME IS A MUST_HAVE!

Rating:
Summary: A Game For The Ones Who Love Puzzles
Review: These games are not for the weak of mind. You simply must have a strong mind and be able to think outside the box if you want to handle these games with no help. I enjoy playing these types of games with my little brother at my side, and it took us a week to beat Riven, and even then, he ended up buying the cheat guide. Myst we solved on our own, but the time committment was substantial. These games are great to do in little parts. Part here part there. Play it at the office or at home. Here are some details about each world(game). In Myst you begin to become a part of the game. You intuitively know that you need to look here or there. This game has HUGE levels. There is no correct order in which to do things, so, each game is different from the last one. This one has clues that are hidden, but solveable. In comparison, Riven is enthralling. With graphics that don't just make you think your going to another world, it makes you think you're there. You can tell the people at Cyan really put time into this game. In addition, having the journal to catalogue your adventures really helps. With Riven, the clues necesary to beat the game are much more heavily hidden. Things you think somehow match up together don't. And the things you think couldn't possibly work together, do. The plot is incredible. This game is not a game, it is another universe. It can not be played, it must be experienced. Young and old can play it, though the young might get tantrums from frustration, and the old, tantrums from frustration. Not frustration because it is a poorly constructed game, but because it is a hard puzzle, one you must take the challenge to solve. This game becomes a part of you. THIS GAME IS A MUST_HAVE!

Rating:
Summary: 2 great games with spectacular graphics
Review: When I first played Myst was when my brother bought it at Wal-Mart.I was amazed.Shortly after I wanted to buy Riven and my father suggested i just buy the "Ages Of Myst" pack for the same amount of money.Riven is just as good as Myst and has better graphics.Riven will take you longer to complete but you still need to think a lot in Myst.Overall,both games are two of the most spectacular games in the world and will keep you up all night playing them.

Rating:
Summary: 2 great games with spectacular graphics
Review: When I first played Myst was when my brother bought it at Wal-Mart.I was amazed.Shortly after I wanted to buy Riven and my father suggested i just buy the "Ages Of Myst" pack for the same amount of money.Riven is just as good as Myst and has better graphics.Riven will take you longer to complete but you still need to think a lot in Myst.Overall,both games are two of the most spectacular games in the world and will keep you up all night playing them.