Games you probably haven't played but should: Myst

The next console generation is upon us, and with it comes a new standard for video game graphics. Depending on your personal opinion on the topic, this may or may not be a good thing. On one hand, new graphics can make for a more immersive experience. On the other hand, many people assert that gaming has become too graphics-focused, and that we should return to the good old days of gameplay-focused games. While both sides have valid points, a common mistake that is made is that the focus on graphics is purely a modern phenomenon. For an explanation of why this is incorrect, one needs only to look to Wikipedia's list of best-selling PC games.

First on the list are The Sims 2 and The Sims, followed by Minecraft, with Diablo III in a close fourth. Next is Half-Life 2, the quintessential FPS, along with Battlefield 2, Starcraft, The Sims 3, and the original Half-Life. Next up is Guild Wars, followed by…

Wait, what the hell is Myst?

I’m glad you asked.

Myst is a Point-and-Click adventure puzzle game, made by Cyan (Now known as Cyan Worlds) in 1993. The game was made by seven people.

It has sold 6 million copies, more than Counter-Strike, Diablo II, Portal 2, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Doom 3, Guild Wars 2, Crysis, or the original Diablo or Far Cry.

Holy crap.

The gameplay must have been amazing, right?

Not really. It was basically an interactive slideshow.

The real magic of the game came from three things. First of all, the graphics in Myst were leaps and bounds above other games at the time.

The second key to Myst’s success was the story, told through notes and messages rather than through cutscenes. You interact with a grand total of three people throughout the game, and the interaction with them is essentially limited to having them talk at you.

The third and most vital aspect of Myst that made it successful was its atmosphere. The rustling of leaves and the lapping of water as you traverse the titular abandoned island created a sense of realness that no game had ever conveyed before.

Now, I bet you’re wondering, “Should I buy it?”

Well… Maybe.

The graphics were spectacular back when it was released, but nowadays they aren’t nearly as awe-inspiring.

The average modern gamer should also note that, unlike more recent games, Myst does not hold your hand along the way. You’re dropped on a dock next to a partially-sunken ship and you’re expected to figure out what to do next by yourself.

Speaking of which, you should also know that Myst is very puzzle-heavy. There are no hints, there are no tokens to spend if you can’t figure out a certain puzzle. You’re expected to be smart enough and determined enough to figure out the puzzles by yourself.

At the same time, Myst is still one of the most immersive games to date, and the puzzles, while somewhat brutal by modern standards, give a real sense of accomplishment when you finally figure them out. If you’re not so sure about the lack of modern graphics, the game has been re-released in a first-person view as RealMyst. Both the original and RealMyst are available on Steam and GOG.

Oh… And if you reach the end of Myst and are disappointed by the lack of spirit-breakingly difficult puzzles?

Just wait for my article on Riven, the sequel to Myst.

You might change your mind.