Myst DS
Myst first came out in 1993 and, in itself, created a whole new
genre - a graphic adventure game with fantastic worlds to explore,
challenging puzzles and exquisite music.
I admit to being a Myst junkie and the idea of having that game in my pocket was almost inconceivable.
The original game and the experience it provided is just too big for the Nintendo DS,
but it does make a valiant attempt - all the worlds are there:
The Library, the info hub with the books; The Selenitic Age, colorful stone sculptures;
The Stoneship Age with the brothers bedrooms filled with splendid tapestries,
and disturbing and intriguing curios;
The Mechanical Age - more gears, buttons and sliders and some artifacts indicating
that brother Achnar isn't such a nice guy;
The Chanelwood Age, accessed by the elevator in the tree,
its complicated waterworks with its valves and pipes is the most difficult world to navigate.
All of these worlds are in your hand plus an additional world - Rime.
To get to these worlds requires the player to push sliders, copy musical notes,
navigate tough mazes, enter codes, and find well hidden clues.
All this was difficult on the computer screen - almost impossible on the three-inch screen.
The magnifying glass does well with allowing you to read the text in the books
but inadequate to let you see the numbers and switches and buttons you need to use.
Now after all this - if you are determined to play - and Myst aficionados are many,
here are some tips.
Get a strategy guide or walkthrough. I used the old Prima Myst - The Official Strategy Guide,
excellent because of its pictures.
Alternately you can go to Gameboomers.com,
they have several walkthroughs plus a game map.
The DS won't give you surround sound but played with earphones it is more than adequate.
So - if you can't have a whole loaf and would be happy with half a loaf - enjoy.
Reviewed by: Editor - 05/08
Ages: Everyone
Fun Factor: Myst junkies will play the game on the head of a pin.
Player Friendly: They tried - but it's beyond the capability of the DS.