Back through the Looking Glass
Developer:Presto Studios Publisher: Ubisoft
Reviewed by Cindy "Luna_Cee" Kyser on 06/11/01

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First Impressions:

Presto met the challenge of the Myst legacy with enthusiasm and produced Myst 3: Exile - a game that captures the essential elements of the original game, yet takes you to a new level of technology and adventure. In short, if you are a true Myst-hater, then Myst 3: Exile is not likely to convert you. However, if you are a fan of Myst and yearn for a return to the land of the D'ni, then Myst 3: Exile belongs on your "must play" list. For those who are not already computer gamers, this game provides an excellent entry point into a gaming world much richer than Solitaire or Tetris.

Graphics:

The game opens with Atrus (played by Rand Miller) and his wife, Catherine, welcoming you to the world of Tomahna. While Atrus is explaining that he has created a new Age that is ready for exploration, a saboteur arrives to steal his linking book. You follow and find yourself in the Age of J'nanin - a breathtakingly beautiful "hub" island with puzzles galore. As the story unfolds, you find that the villain/victim Saavedro (expertly played by actor Brad Dourif) is taking revenge on Atrus for the pain his sons have caused (remember them... the lost boys that demanded that you bring them red and blue pages?).

J'nanin forms the nexus of your adventure with linking books to four additional ages: Amateria (the land of giant pinballs), Edanna (the land of fantastic flowers), Voltaic (the land of energy systems), and Narayan (the land of cryptic tapestries). Each is a fantastic landscape - photo-realistic with unbelievable scenery and puzzles that are alien, yet familiar. You are granted immediate reinforcement for every success, as the impact of your efforts is immediately displayed when you have chosen the correct course of action. At the end of each age, you are rewarded with some of the most breathtaking and truly delightful visual experiences that computer gaming can offer. Even the most jaded gamer will gasp with pleasure as the pinball wizardry begins or the airship lifts off. The graphics are both compelling and brilliant - with all of the wonder of the original Myst but with the visual clarity of Riven.

Sound/Music:

In addition to a host of ambient sounds that make the environment completely believable, the musical sound track by Jack Wall is both mystical and magical. It is not as haunting as the music from the original Myst, but still adds depth and emotion to the game, especially in the closing segments.

Gameplay:

For those who played Riven, the most memorable aspect of that game was the persistent "Please insert Disk x" that occurred more often than a teenager begging for the car keys. The "full installation" of Myst 3 eliminates the need for disk swapping - a terrific improvement that allows you to focus on gaming rather than CD gymnastics. The new 3D technology and higher PC horsepower are used to full advantage as the environment allows for full 3D panning. Much like Zork Nemesis, you can scan right, left, up and down. Although your movement is limited to predefined paths, the full panning provides a much richer visual experience than the traditional point-and-click slide show. The only improvement Presto could have made to the interface would have been to have the cursor change to indicate a possible direction of travel. You are apt to do a lot of screen scanning and clicking in order to determine the valid paths of movement from any given location.

In terms of puzzles, all are logical and it is refreshing to play an adventure game without the typical "find and use" inventory paradigm. If you begin in Amateria, you might assume that Presto has "dumbed down" the game. And, to some extent, that is true. Myst 3 is easier and more intuitive than Riven and simpler than the original Myst. But, this does not imply that the game is a cake-walk. Any gamer who boasts that they can blow through this adventure is either (1) using a walkthrough or (2) competing with Einstein for IQ points. While the game is certainly workable, it is challenging and requires some very focused problem solving. The puzzles are well integrated into the environment and, although alien in appearance, most objects encountered are familiar. Even though they are placed in a fantastic landscape, gears, levers, and reflective lenses are all items that the modern gamer understands.

Enjoyment:

For anyone who embraces the "empty landscape" adventure, Myst 3: Exile is an exceptional experience. For those who do not, it may be a lonely game, but is still worth playing just for the pleasure of visiting the worlds that Presto Studios has created.

Multiplayer:

Not applicable.

Overall Impression:

This is a wonderful game that extends and improves the original Myst experience. For those who enjoy taking their time, exploring every nook and cranny of imaginary landscapes, and focusing on creativity rather than survival, this is an adventure that should not be missed.

Marketing Efforts Towards Women:

This is truly a gender neutral game. For most of the game, you are alone and do not interact with characters other than chance encounters with Saavedro. The only female characters are Atrus' wife and child (Catherine and Yeesha) and both appear fully clothed, with normal body types. From the artifacts you encounter, it is clear that both Atrus and Saavedro cherish their families; as such, women are always portrayed in a positive light.

Web sites of interest:

• If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the game, additional information and patches are available at the official Myst 3 web site.

• For those lost in the Myst, Sinjin Solves provides a wonderful walkthrough for Myst 3 with maps and puzzle solutions.

• Not to be outdone, GameSpot's Doug Radcliffe has created a comprehensive Myst 3 Game Guide to help those who are adventure challenged.